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Sweet<br />
Dreamsby Daniel Fernandez<br />
Down is nature’s best insulator and offers the sleep inducing benefits of warmth<br />
without weight.<br />
The wonderful softness of down and feather pillows feels great and is good for<br />
you because it conforms to the body more naturally than many synthetic fibers or<br />
foam pillows. This quality has led to the increase in non-traditional pillow shapes for<br />
specific types of sleepers—such as those who sleep be st with a large pillow they can<br />
“hug”, or the pillows designed for expectant mothers. In a more traditional bed pillow,<br />
the neck and shoulder muscles are less strained as the head is naturally cradled<br />
in the down and feather pillow.<br />
Down and feather is a natural material that wicks moisture away and allows it to<br />
quickly evaporate rather than trapping moisture. Waking up in the night having to<br />
throw off a blanket because of feeling overheated is a thing of the past when your<br />
pillow and comforter are made from down and feather.<br />
Dust mite allergies plague at least 10 percent of the population and are a leading<br />
contributor to developing asthma. Hypoallergenic down and feather is a good product<br />
for allergy sufferers because the natural breathability means that moisture– which<br />
dust mites need to live and thrive–is not trapped in the fibers.<br />
Additionally, the fabrics that encase the down and feathers are tightly woven–possessing<br />
a high thread count–in order to keep any feathers from escaping. This tightly<br />
woven fabric also serves as a barrier to dust mites.<br />
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), insufficient<br />
sleep is a public health epidemic in the U.S. Further, the CDC says that a lack of sleep<br />
makes a person more likely to suffer from other chronic diseases such as diabetes,<br />
depression and obesity. How can people help create better sleep habits and lead<br />
healthier lives?<br />
The first step is to realize what is keeping them awake. Feeling too hot or too cold?<br />
Restless and sore from fidgeting while sleeping? These seemingly trivial discomforts<br />
can have adverse effects on sleep and health. Use these tips from the American<br />
Down and Feather Council (ADFC) to pick out the right bedding for a night of deep<br />
and refreshing sleep.<br />
• Waking up Shivering or Sweating?<br />
Down is nature’s best insulator and offers the<br />
sleep inducing benefits of warmth without<br />
weight. A down comforter with a fill power higher<br />
than 500 will give added warmth, and a down<br />
comforter with less than 500 will keep you snug<br />
but cool.<br />
• Fidgeting in your Sleep?<br />
Look for bedding that is soft and will naturally<br />
conform to your body – like down and feather.<br />
Down and feather contours and moves with your<br />
body as you shift positions, this will keep you<br />
from getting tangled up in your sleep.<br />
• Feeling Dirty and Gross?<br />
Easily washable, down and feather products are<br />
made from natural materials that wick moisture<br />
away and allow it to quickly evaporate rather<br />
than trapping it close to your body. Sleeping in<br />
a moisture-free bed will help you retain a fresh<br />
and clean feeling.<br />
• Suffering from Allergies?<br />
Plaguing at least 10 percent of the population,<br />
dust mites thrive in humid locations and are one<br />
of the leading contributors to asthma. Superior<br />
construction and breathable materials allow<br />
down and feather products to be dust mite free<br />
and hypoallergenic.<br />
FOCUS of SWFL 2013 101
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