BRANDED CONTENTYou know that million-dollar
feeling you get only after a restful
night’s sleep? If you want to take
your outdoor adventures to the
next level, that shouldn’t be a rare
occurrence, says W. Chris Winter,
MD, author of The Sleep Solution.
“There are few areas of athletic
performance not impacted by sleep,
or lack thereof,” he says. It might
seem daunting, but building a long-
term pattern of healthy, restorative
sleep is easier than you might think.
Here’s how to do it.
SET THE TONE
Like a perfect date, a great night’s
sleep depends on the right setting.
“You want to create an environment
that’s inviting. Most people do best
in the 65-degree range,” says Winter.
Another easily controllable element:
lighting. Look for sleep-friendly
LEDs—dimmable, lower-watt bulbs
with a warm, diffuse light profile.
Red bulbs are even more conducive
to sleep...if you can stomach their
nontraditional hue.PICK THE RIGHT BEDDING
As with running shoes or hiking
boots, there are certain performance
characteristics you should look for in
your home sleep system. “You want
a mattress that is comfortable and
doesn’t affect your temperature,”
says Winter. Look for options, like
Avocado’s Organic Mattress, that
are made with wool and cotton,
which naturally breathe and regulate
temperature. Of course, how the
mattress is constructed is equally
important. Avocado’s needle-tufted,
hybrid design of independent coils
is broken down into five strategic
support zones to help reduce motion
transfer, keep your back aligned, and
alleviate pressure points.KEEP THINGS FRESH
You might know that some paints
emit volatile organic compounds—
gases the EPA has linked to many
ill-health effects—but did you know
that furniture and mattresses can
also be big-time emitters of VOCs?
To avoid inhaling these nasty fumes
every night, choose products like
Avocado’s mattresses and pillows,
which are made with wool, cotton,
and latex that are certified organic by
the Global Organic Textile Standard,
Made Safe–certified nontoxic, and
Greenguard Gold-certified for low
emissions. Avocado’s reclaimed-
wood bed frames and end tables
are easy on the lungs too, thanks
to their zero-VOC finishes.TURN OFF THE SCREENS
Because the blue-light hues
emitted by electronic screens
have been shown to rob your body
of melatonin, the sleep hormone,
Winter recommends avoiding them
altogether in the hour or so before
bed. “This means no screens in the
bedroom.” External light sources
should be controlled as well—Winter
recommends blackout curtains.APPLY THE FINAL TOUCHES
A solid bedtime routine can help
signal to your body that it’s time
to sleep, says Winter. “The smell
of lavender can help,” he says.
“Consider spraying your room or
bedding just prior to sleep.” The nice
thing about a routine like this is that
it can serve as a sleep trigger even
when you’re not in your own bed.
“Pay attention to the details that
allow you to drift off. If it’s lavender,
for instance, then bring that with you
when you travel.”Looking to improve your
performance and recover
faster? It starts at night
with a solid routine—and
the right bedding.
BETTER SLEEP CAN BE YOUR
SECRET TRAINING TOOL
Avocado Green Mattress has a vision: a world united by
sustainability and social responsibility. Its eco-luxury mattresses
are made using organic latex, wool, and cotton. With non-toxic and
Climate Neutral® certifications, Avocado products are as good
for you as they are for the planet. avocadogreenmattress.com