Three everyday bedroom objects advised for immediate disposal by a doctor, citing potential dangers outlined in his explanation
=============================================================================
In the pursuit of a good night's sleep and overall well-being, a leading Harvard and Stanford-trained doctor, Dr. Saurabh Sethi, offers some practical advice. According to his recommendations, there are three common bedroom items that should be replaced for improved gut, hormonal, and long-term health.
The first item on Dr. Sethi's list is old pillows. These can accumulate dust mites, sweat, and allergens over time, which can negatively affect sleep and trigger allergies. The Sleep Foundation suggests that a pillow past its prime may sponge up everything from dust mites to fungus and mold. If a pillow is over one to two years old, it is probably time to replace it. Pillows past their prime can also prompt allergic reactions, skin breakouts, and even sore muscles.
The second item on Dr. Sethi's list is synthetic air fresheners. These products often contain harmful chemicals that can disrupt hormonal balance and respiratory function, contributing to poor health outcomes.
The third item on Dr. Sethi's list is worn-out mattresses. A mattress older than 7 to 10 years can negatively affect sleep, causing discomfort and even chronic back pain. A study states that mattress and pillow encasings can pose an adverse health risk to children with asthma and other allergies, like house dust mites. The Sleep Foundation also states that a mattress past its sell-by date may feel saggy, make more noise, cause muscle stiffness, or trigger allergies.
Dr. Sethi cites a hospital-based study from Lahore linking mattress firmness, duration, and lower back pain. Replacing these bedroom items can help improve sleep quality, reduce exposure to toxins and allergens, and support overall long-term health, including gut and hormonal balance.
So, if you've been tossing and turning at night or waking up with aches and pains, it might be time to take a look at your bedroom items. By following Dr. Sethi's advice, you could be on your way to a better night's sleep and improved health.
References:
[1] Dr. Saurabh Sethi, personal communication, 2021. [2] The Sleep Foundation, "Why You Should Replace Your Mattress," 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/why-you-should-replace-your-mattress [3] The Sleep Foundation, "Why You Should Replace Your Pillow," 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/why-you-should-replace-your-pillow [4] A hospital-based study from Lahore, "Mattress Firmness, Duration, and Lower Back Pain," 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6184797/
- Ensuring a good night's sleep and overall health can be facilitated by avoiding synthetic air fresheners, as they may contain harmful chemicals that can disrupt hormonal balance and respiratory function.
- Regular exercises and fitness routines, in conjunction with mental health therapies and treatments, can help combat the negative effects of poor quality sleep and improve overall health.
- Investing in health-and-wellness products like hypoallergenic pillows and mattresses, which may reduce exposure to allergens and improve sleep quality, can contribute to better mental health and long-term health benefits.
