How The Right Sheets Improve Sleep

Sleep is critical for good health and nice sheets can go a long way toward improving the quality of your sleep. Not only can certain fibers help regulate body temperature, but the right weave can make it easier to turn over in the middle of the night, reducing wear over time and limiting interrupted sleep cycles.
 

How to choose the best sheets for you?

• Thread count - the number of horizontal and vertical threads per square inch is often cited as the most critical component when it comes to sheets, and it is true that the higher the thread count, the softer the sheets are, the longer they will last, and the more supple they will become over time.
• But fiber type and weave are equally important when it comes to quality and feel. You may choose from Egyptian, Pima, or American Upland cottons, or alternatively, linen or silk. They may feature oxford, percale, or sateen weaves.

For cold climates or cold sensitivity, silk sheets are best. Unlike something like flannel, silk sheets are also extra smooth, which means your limbs are less likely to get caught as you turn during the night. Cotton fibers are better if you run hot or live in a hot climate. For maximum softness and ease of movement, choose Egyptian or Pima cotton, which have the longest, highest quality fibers. American Upland, the cotton used in most sheets advertised as 100 percent cotton, is coarser, with fibers that may poke out of the sheet, hindering movement. If you are looking for a lustrous, extra smooth cotton that will keep friction at a minimum, a sateen weave is the best choice, followed by a percale weave, which is tight and smooth, but not quite as slippery as sateen or silk.

Of course, the higher the quality of fiber or weave, the higher the cost—but then again, the more you know, the easier it is for you to recognize a good deal. And the payoff? A great night’s sleep.