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Healthy living

Better Rest = Better Grades. Here’s how you can help your student 💤🛌✨🎉





Support Your Student with the Gift of Better Sleep!

If there’s one thing that’s an absolute necessity when it comes to getting good grades, it’s GOOD SLEEP! 💤 As you may know from personal experience, tired testing (and even learning) is no bueno. 

Whether your student is in kindergarten, college, or somewhere in between, these 8 healthy sleep hacks can help them get a good night of sleep all year long so they can always feel their best this school year:   

Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine

A calming pre-sleep routine signals your body that it's time to wind down. This could include reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation exercises. Help your student find their favorites and encourage them to wind down in the evening.


Establish a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends, helps regulate your body's internal clock and improves sleep quality. While staying up late with friends can be fun, it’s best to try to keep a consistent sleep schedule as much as possible.


Limit Caffeine and Stimulant Intake

For older high school and college students who are tempted to reach for a caffeine boost, avoiding coffee and energy drinks in the late afternoon and evening is best. These can make it harder to fall asleep, and even disrupt sleep in the middle of the night!


Minimize Screen Time before Bed

Since the blue light emitted by screens can interfere with your body's natural sleep-wake cycle, it’s best to limit exposure to electronic devices like smartphones, computers, and TVs at least an hour before bedtime.


Make Their Sleep Environment Comfortable

Ensure your student’s bedroom is conducive to sleep by keeping it dark, cool, and quiet. Investing in a comfortable, all-natural mattress and pillows that support sleeping posture can help them get the best sleep each night! (P.S. - If you're not sure which mattress or pillow is best for your student, ask us! We’re more than happy to guide you! 😀)


Stay Active During the Day

Engaging in regular physical activity or exercise during the day can help improve sleep quality. However, it’s best to avoid vigorous workouts too close to bedtime so that you don’t have trouble falling asleep.


Manage Stress

From test scores to peer pressure, school can be stressful to students of all ages! If your student is feeling stressed or anxious, yoga, deep breathing, and other stress-reducing exercises can be used to help calm their mind before bedtime for better rest. 


Avoid Alcohol and Smoking

These two popular past-times among the college crowd, while fun, may be detrimental to a student’s sleep. Although alcohol can initially make you feel drowsy, it disrupts the overall sleep cycle and reduces sleep quality. Similarly, smoking and nicotine can interfere with falling asleep and staying asleep throughout the night.


Did You Know?...
Which Mattress is best for a College Dorm Room?

If you don’t know, we do! 🤓 Most college dorms use Extra Long Twin beds instead of standard twins. Some also use Extra Long Doubles, which White Lotus Home can make on a custom made basis. Rush services are available and brand new mattresses can ship in just a few days! 

Treat Your Student to Healthy Sleep
This School Year & Beyond!

Use Code “SmartSleep” to take 20% OFF on your ENTIRE ORDER of Mattresses, Futons, Toppers, Pillows, Duvets, Sheets, Bean Bags, Waterproof Protectors and More for the next 7 days only! 

PLUS, take an additional 5% OFF your entire order when you pay via Zelle or Vemno! That’s a total of 25% OFF your student’s NEW healthy sleep system!! 

This offer will end in 7 days, but if you order today, we’ll send your student a Free Kapok Travel Pillow, so they can sleep chemical-free on the go 😴 -->(This extra offer is only valid on orders over $200)  


From Childhood to Adulthood, the Dreamton keeps on giving!

When it comes to getting the most bang for your buck on a mattress, the Dreamton delivers. Could a conventional mattress last 20 years? Check out this

White Lotus Love Story from Cathy J.: 

I have used White Lotus Dreamton futons for over 20 years and they are heavenly to sleep on! After 10-15 years when they have compressed a bit, add a wool topper and they are as good as new again. Their kapok pillows are also awesome, they stay fluffy for years :) Now that my kids are young adults, they are purchasing their own White Lotus bedding!

Cathy J.


PLEASE NOTE: This 20% off SMARTSLEEP Offer is for NEW Orders only and does not include fibers, fabrics, furniture or custom products. Offer ends 08-09-2023 @ midnight. FREE Travel pillow is for orders over $200.

To get 25% off, pay via Zelle or Venmo, select either options at checkout, no payment will be required yet. We will manually update your order to include the extra 5% discount and will send you an email with your new total to send via Zelle or Venmo.

ALL PAYMENT OPTIONS | PAY LATER

Our NEW JERSEY SHOWROOM is Open by Appointment ONLY 24/7!

CLICK Here to schedule your appointment!

For other retailers that carry WLH products near you, please click here.

732-828-2111 | TEXT ONLY 732-352-3628 | info@whitelotushome.com

745 JOYCE KILMER AVENUE, STE E NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08901

What Makes Students Feel Cooler & Sleep SMARTER??

 

Old School is New School.

Don’t Feel Old, Feel Cool! 

 

Mullets, mom jeans and platform shoes, vinyl records, board games and rubix cubes… Have you noticed how quickly young adults are bringing back “old school” trends nowadays? 

At WLH, we’ve certainly seen more and more people wanting to sleep the “old school” way, or as we like to say it, “Sleeping how Mother Nature intended!” 🌱

And unlike other fads, we don’t think this one is going anywhere. In fact, we’re pretty sure that quite the opposite will happen. Going “green” is going to grow. 

If we human beings want to preserve our planet for our children and grandchildren and the future generations to come, we can’t think of a better way to do just that than to save the Earth 🌎 while you sleep!   

Now, while a White Lotus Home mattress may not be the oldest mattress ever, they have been known to last over 3 decades with proper use and care. That’s what makes the very first mattress WLH started business with in 1981 one of our continued best sellers for over 40 years. 

What Makes the Dreamton

a Dream Come True? 

For starters, the Organic Dreamton mattress is: 

  • Pesticide & insecticide free
  • 100% natural and biodegradable
  • Safe for sensitive skin
  • Soft & plush, yet firm & supportive at the same time
  • It consumes 91% less water to grow than regular cotton
  • And it protects farmers from pesticide exposure

The Dreamton is a mattress unlike any you’ve ever slept on. It’s a unique experience that has been a dream come true to many for over 4 decades and counting, and it could be yours too!

 

5️⃣ Ways You Can Get to Know The Dreamton Better Before You Buy 🤑

1️⃣ Test it out in person! 📍

You can always test our mattresses out in our NJ showroom or at one of our resellers stores in these states across the country.

2️⃣ Call us to learn more! 📞

You’re always welcome to call us toll-free at 877-HANDMADE and we’ll do our best to find the best natural sleep solution for you.

3️⃣ Prefer texting over calling? 💬

No worries! Chat with us anytime right here. Or, Text us at 732-352-3628.

4️⃣ Check out the reviews! 📢

Hear it first from the folks who sleep on this mattress every night! There are close to 1,000 sparkling reviews here

5️⃣ Order a Sample Here...📦

So you can get a feel for the Dreamton right in the comfort of your own home. 

 

Our NEW JERSEY SHOWROOM is Open by Appointment ONLY 24/7!

CLICK Here to schedule your appointment!

For other retailers that carry WLH products near you, please click here.

732-828-2111 | TEXT ONLY 732-352-3628 | info@whitelotushome.com

745 JOYCE KILMER AVENUE, STE E NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08901

 

WHY I’LL ONLY BUY ORGANIC SHEETS

CREDIT TO:  Annmarie Skin Care > Healthy Lifestyle > Why I’ll Only Buy Organic Sheets

yoann-boyer-276971

Contributed by our friend Destiny

Any time I buy new clothes or sheets, the first thing I always do is wash them. Detergent, warm cycle, cool rinse. I do it because that’s just what you do, because factories are dirty, and what we buy travels a long way before it makes its way to us.

Short of sanitary reasons, I never gave this little routine of mine much thought, until I got pregnant with my first child and decided, quite suddenly, I wanted to know exactly what I was washing out of my clothes and sheets every time I bought them.

What I learned was that an industry responsible for clothing us and tucking us in at night was doing a lot more than just transporting and dying our fabrics. What goes into the materials that spend all of their time right up against our skin was, to be honest, pretty sketchy. That was when I decided enough was enough — organic sheets and clothes, from here on out.

flame retardant chemicals and our sheets

First things first, your sheets, your bedding, your clothes — just about any conventional fabric you come into contact with — is treated with  flame retardant chemicals. There are federal manufacturing regulations that often require it, particularly since most fabrics these days are synthetic and particularly quick to burn.

When I looked into flame retardant chemicals further, I learned that, while they had come a long way from the proven carcinogenic PBDEs of the 70s, these new chemicals were still linked to reproductive and respiratory disease, and were proven endocrine system disruptors.

As I looked at crib sheets and onesies, the reality of that set in — these fabrics would be right up against my brand new baby’s face.

pesticide exposure in our clothes and bedding

When I had officially written polyester and nylon off, it occurred to me that natural fibers, at the very least, had to be better. They weren’t made of petroleum products, and they didn’t require as much, or sometimes any, flame retardants to be safe to use.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that conventionally grown cotton consumes 24% of the world’s insecticides every year, and 11% of the world’s pesticides. Ironically, this fluffy, pure white plant was one of the dirtiest crops in the world.

Cotton and other fibers go through a lot of processes before they wind up hanging on store racks, but were they being adequately rinsed of pesticides? In a world bent on reassuring us of their safety, I wasn’t so sure.

stripping toxic chemicals from fabric

All of this information lead me to one conclusion — I was about to start taking my new clothes routine a lot more seriously. The bottom line was, I’d rather take my chances with fire than flame retardants, and so I started stripping all of our sheets, clothes, and towels.

There isn’t much scientific research out there to back up how to remove flame retardants and pesticides from clothes, but ultimately, my research seemed to point towards breaking down those chemical bonds with what was essentially an acid soak.

I mixed up big buckets of vinegar and lemon juice to break down the chemical bonds between the flame retardants and the fibers. I don’t know how much it helped, but it gave me peace of mind to see that water change colors. For 48 hours, I soaked buckets of fabrics, then washed them thoroughly, hoping to make the best with what I had.

It’s worth noting though that removing flame retardant chemicals from flammable materials is a catch-22. On the one hand, I felt better about snuggling up next to these fabrics, but on the other, I was trading chemicals for an increased flammability.

Which was worse? I’m still not sure.

the alternatives i can’t live without

I decided I didn’t want to have to keep making these choices.

I decided, from here on out, my family would spend one third of their life in bed next to cotton sheets that weren’t grown with pesticides. They would sleep in pajamas that didn’t have to be saturated with chemicals to keep them from bursting into flames. And we would support clean, sustainable agriculture that didn’t endlessly consume our planet’s resources.

I didn’t throw everything out and start from scratch. Even as I write this, I’m sitting in an ancient black polyester spandex tank top. Not being of celebrity wealth status, replacing my entire wardrobe and linens collection all at once just wasn’t in the cards, nor was it how I wanted to do this.

What I did instead was start looking at alternatives, so that when it came time to replace those hole-y socks or those threadbare sheets, I could do so with materials I felt great about buying.

ORGANIC COTTON

Soft and breathable and made 100% without pesticides or insecticides, organic cotton is my go-to fabric for sheets and pillowcases, in addition to socks, underwear, and shirts. It’s easy to care for, and getting cheaper all the time.

WOOL

Wool is a natural insulator, which doesn’t just mean that it keeps you warm, but keeps excess heat out, too. Naturally antimicrobial, it’s worth the extra trouble to treat it delicately in the wash, and I LOVE it for duvets and shirts!

NATURAL LATEX

Memory foam, move over, because your eco-friendly buddy is here, and he doesn’t stink. Natural latex is a natural thermal regulator, so it doesn’t make you sweat like a memory foam mattress does, it lasts longer, and it’s free of flame retardant nasties. If you like the floating-on-a-cloud effect of sleeping on a memory foam mattress, you need to try a latex mattress—you’ll never look back!

KAPOK FIBER

This interesting little fiber feels like silk and cotton had a baby together. Soft and fine, it’s a great vegan alternative to down for pillows and duvets!

BUCKWHEAT HULLS

I discovered buckwheat hulls when I met a girl who slept on a buckwheat hull mattress, and it blew my MIND. They feel like a beanbag when stuffed into a pillowcase, and are incredible because they’re non-toxic AND 100% biodegradable.

we’re all just doing the best we can

I get a lot of funny looks from friends and family when I pass up crazy sales on sheets and baby clothes because of what they’re made of.

“Huh? Wha—. But…it’s on sale!”

And I get it, because in the end, we’re all just trying to keep our families clothed and our beds made, and what they’re actually made of is often the furthest thing from our minds.

I’m not perfect. Sometimes I see an ugly Christmas sweater at Target, and I lose all resolve — retail instinct kicks in, and before I know it, I’m on my way home with a tinsel-covered abomination.

But now that I know better, I try to do better. I only buy organic sheets. I’m really picky about the clothes I buy for my family. And when I shop, I look at more than just the price tag. I see the manufacturing plants that were responsible for producing what I’m putting in my cart, and I take pause, I think about what that purchase means a little more before I make it.

If you’re ready to know what’s in your sheets and feel good about what you sleep on, check out White Lotus Home. Organic sheets, mattresses, and pillows for babies, kids, adults, and even futons, this store has it all!

10 Ways to Improve Sleep!

10 Ways to Improve Sleep!

10 Ways You Can Get Better Sleep  

It's 7:00 AM and your alarm goes off. It went off ten minutes ago, but you couldn't pull yourself out of bed. You still feel like you can't, so you hit the snooze button one more time, roll over, and pray your coffee maker was set correctly the night before so you can get some caffeine in your system ASAP. 

Sound familiar? When it comes to modern day living, sleep can feel like a scarce commodity. We often go through our days already exhausted right off the starting line.

Sometimes improving the quality of your sleep means making a few lifestyle adjustments and taking a good look at what you're sleeping on every night. Here are 10 ways you can get back to giving your body and mind the rest they need to wake up feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to go in the morning.   

  1. Exercise 
    While exercise is a great way to help relieve any tension, stress, and anxiety that may be keeping you up at night, getting a good work out in can physiologically improve your sleep too. Exercise can trigger longer periods of slow-wave sleep which is the deepest and most restorative phase of sleep you can get each night. Still not enough to get you to the gym? Polls have found that people who exercise regularly, even if they don’t get any more sleep than those who don’t, actually report better quality of sleep which means they wake up feeling better than their non-exercising counterparts. Go break a sweat!

  2. Find the Perfect Pillow 
    Do you wake up feeling like your neck is stiff in the middle of the night? Maybe your shoulder hurts from laying on it, and you toss and turn frequently. These problems can be solved by finding the perfect pillow. It may take a little experimentation before you find the right fit, but once you do, your body will thank you.  

  3. Clean Up Your Diet 
    It's probably not much of a surprise that the pizza you ate yesterday wasn't sitting well by the time you brushed your teeth before bed. Ditch inflammatory foods, sugar, and anything else that could be causing sleep disturbances like acid reflux and indigestion for a better rest. 

  4. Reduce Stress
    Feeling a little worried about that project that's due early next week? From work to relationships to difficulties with finances, reducing stress is often easier said than done. You might have to think outside the box a little, but coming up with ways you can change your lifestyle to reduce stress can help rest your mind and relax your body when it's time for sleep. 

  5. Cut The Caffeine 
    No one wants to hear that they should give up their morning java, especially if they're already feeling like they need a jump start. But if you're having sleep trouble, it's important to consider reducing your caffeine consumption, particularly within 6 hours of bedtime. You might not notice a difference right away, but if you dodge caffeine for a few days, you'll probably find you're sleeping better. 

  6. Use a High-Quality, All-Natural Mattress 
    Cheaping out on your mattress purchase means you could be cheating yourself out of some invaluable, high-quality sleep time. When shopping for a mattress, it's important to find one that's made from all-natural materials so that you can avoid any off-gassing from petroleum-based foams that can smell harsh and reduce your sleep quality. To top it off, synthetic fibers like memory foam and polyester make it harder for our bodies to regulate their temperatures. Shoot for mattresses and toppers made out of natural fibers like ecofoam, natural latex, cotton and wool so you can sleep easier and more comfortably.

  7. Consider a Weighted Blanket for Anxiety
    If anxious thoughts are keeping you up at night, a weighted blanket might be the perfect fit for you. Weighted blankets work by providing deep pressure touch stimulation without uncomfortable restriction. The deep pressure from the weight of the blanket causes the body to produce serotonin and endorphins all night long while you sleep. Serotonin and endorphins are necessary to help us feel relaxed and calm.

  8. Say Goodbye to Screen Time Before Bed
    Studies have found that people who use phones, iPads, light-emitting eReaders and other similar devices at bedtime take longer to fall asleep and have disrupted circadian rhythms. If you're going to read before bed to relax, stick to books and ditch the screen. 

  9. Keep Your Bedroom Cool 
    Don't make it so cold that you're uncomfortable, but research suggests sleeping in cooler environments as low as 66 degrees can help you sleep better. 

  10. Reduce Clutter in Your Bedroom  
    Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, says "A messy room equals a messy mind". If your sleeping space is cluttered and full of distractions, you might have trouble relaxing and getting to sleep. Clear the clutter and see what happens! 

Sleep is something that directly impacts your life every day. Keep up to date on all the latest and greatest tips for getting the best sleep by subscribing to our newsletter here!

NEWS RELEASE - Earthfest White Lotus Home Anniversary Celebration

HIGHLAND PARK, NJ – White Lotus Home, a leading manufacturer and distributor of handmade organic bedding, announced activities marking the company’s 35th Anniversary Celebration. White Lotus Home, founded on Earth Day 1981, has always been based in New Jersey, where it manufactured all its USDA-Certified organic mattresses, pillows and bedding from pure wool, cotton and other natural products.  

On April 22nd, 2016, White Lotus Home will sponsor Earthfest, a celebration of Earth Day at its Highland Park factory and showroom to mark the company’s 35 years in business. “Everyday is Earth Day at White Lotus Home,” said Marlon Pando, White Lotus Home’s president.  “We’re a thrilled for so many years to share our passion for the health benefits that come from a Green lifestyle.  We’re proud to call New Jersey home.  We’ve been part of the community from the start.  That will never change.”

Earthfest, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled from 4 pm to 8 pm at Lotus Studio, an event space above the company’s showroom at 431 Raritan Ave, Highland Park, NJ.  The diverse gathering of political leaders, community organizers, local small businesses, artisans and green grocers. White Lotus artisans in Highland Park manufacture and sell housewares and bedding made from eco-friendly products free of toxic materials and fire retardants.  The products are sold by a network of 100 online resellers and retail outlets in the U.S. and Canada. The company also manufacturers Private Label products, which are resold by ultra-luxury and regional brands.

“As the Internet continues to make the world a smaller place to do business,” explained Elizabeth Pando-Nieves, White Lotus’s vice president who oversees Private Label and wholesale operations, “we can reach our customers in all of the Americans? and Canada and major cities in the world, particularly in the Caribbean, South and Central America.”

About White Lotus Home. 
White Lotus Home is a leading manufacturer and distributor of organic bedding dedicated to our customers, our employees and our planet. Founded in 1981, our company provides consumers with certified organic bedding created by hand from pure American-grown cotton, wool and other natural products. White Lotus Home is dedicated to educating consumers about indoor air quality and toxic chemicals in mattress foams, glues, and fire retardant substances.  Our showroom and fabrication plant in Highland Park, N.J., supplies a network of 100 online resellers and retail outlets in the U.S. and Canada.  White Lotus believes that quality and fair value are more important than low prices and a quick profit. We oppose the exploitation of the planet and its inhabitants.  Above all, our people, products and business practices are socially, politically and environmentally responsible.

 

MEDIA CONTACTS

Marlon Pando

President

White Lotus Home

marlon@whitelotushome.com

(732) 843-4990

George E. Jordan

Griot MediaWorks

george@griotpr.com

(201) 707-4906

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Click on the blog post's title to read more and to leave or review comments and feedback. We hope this information is useful for you when deciding on the best natural, organic, or green mattress, pillow, or bedding item to add to your home. Thank you for Saving the Earth while you Sleep!