Are you a sheet cheat?
Did you know that you're going to spend 36 years of your life either hanging out or sleeping in bed? That's a lot of time wrapped in your sheets and snuggling with a blanket or comforter. But a recent survey found that most folks only change their sheets every 24 days and pillowcases every 25 days. (It's too much work to do them together?!)
Well, you might want to reconsider your bed-changing habits. That's because lounging and sleeping on your sheets allows skin cells and other accumulated debris to encourage bacteria, fungi, and dust mites to thrive. That can cause inflammation, aggravate allergies, trigger skin irritation or worsen psoriasis, eczema and acne.
If you (and perhaps a partner) sleep in your bed nightly, hang out there to watch TV or other screens, snack in bed, and let a dog or cat roll around with you, changing sheets weekly is a good idea. You might also consider keeping your pet off the mattress. If that's not possible or likely to happen, then give your furry friend a spot with their own sleep cloth to rest on and change it frequently.
When you wash your sheets more often, you'll see improvements in your sleep quality, skin texture and breathing. Other good ideas: Check with your doctor to see if natural antihistamines might make you sleep better and greet the day feeling uncongested. Then consider natural allergy supplements, such as colostrum and bromelain and read "Clean Up Your Laundry Routine" at iHerb.com/blog.
Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).
(c)2024 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2024 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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