The health benefits of honey are many and well-known.  From skin cleanser to antibiotic, cough suppressant, allergy relief to just plain old sweetener, honey can do it all.  But can it help you sleep?  Some studies are suggesting that it can.

I have to credit my sister-in-law for this one.  She’s a recent convert to “all things natural” and is sharing her new discoveries with evangelical enthusiasm.  The latest is the apparent evidence that having a spoonful of honey at bedtime helps you get to sleep, and stay asleep.  She swears that she has noticed an enormous difference in her own sleep since trying this.

I’ve struggled with insomnia my whole life.  My son seems to be heading down the same route.  As he has SPD (Sensory Processing Dysfunction) and possibly ADHD, his sleep is vitally important yet he cannot settle down to rest.  We’ve had to resort to him taking melatonin most nights for the past couple years, though we’ve recently been working to find other means to help him relax and get to sleep.

Will a simple dose of honey solve our sleep problems?  We’re going to find out. And I’ll keep you posted right here on Eco Child’s Play.  Stay tuned!

Photo credit:  alsjhc via Creative Commons

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Editor’s Note: This is a contribution from one our content partners, Divine Caroline.

By Ransom Riggs of Mental Floss for DivineCaroline.com

Birds do it, bees do it (we think), even educated monkeys do it. So let’s do it, people. Let’s fall asleep. We’ve talked about the whys of taking naps before—they improve mood, creativity, memory function, heart health, and so much else—but never, to my knowledge, have we discussed how to take a nap. In fact, whenever we write about naps, we always get a few comments from people claiming they’re unable to nap during the day; they just can’t fall asleep, or when they do nap, they wake up groggy and unable to work. In that case, read on, my sleepy friends.

1. The first thing you should know is, feeling sleepy in the afternoon is normal.

It doesn’t mean you had a big lunch, or that you’re depressed, or you’re not getting enough exercise. That’s just how animals’ cycles work—every 24 hours, we have two periods of intense sleepiness. One is typically in the wee hours of the night, from about 2 a.m. to 4 a.m., and the other is around 10 hours later, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. If you’re a night owl and wake up later in the morning, that afternoon sleepiness may come later; if you’re an early bird, it may come earlier. But it happens to everyone; we’re physiologically hardwired to nap.

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According to Furniture Today, the Specialty Sleep Association wants to set guidelines for how manufacturers market “green” mattresses and other natural sleep products.

The SSA said its ultimate goal is to create a certification program based on “existing legitimate standards” and programs as well as sleep industry-specific terms and standards for mattresses and bedding. Among other challenges, the SSA will define terms such as “green,” “natural,” “all-natural” and “organic,” it said.

An upcoming conference in Florida is planned to help define green rules for the sleep industry.

Tired of being tired?  It tends to go with the season.  Everyone is still catching up from the holidays and getting ready for spring.  With work, school and social lives who has time for sleep?

With a little help, you can still look your best even if you are running on less than a full night.

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I am not a pillow expert. All I knew about pillows before today is that you’re supposed to change them regularly because of dust mites. (Yuck I saw that Oprah show.) During my research on how to recycle old pillows (make dog beds) I discovered that there are many eco-friendly pillows to choose from. The cool thing about eco-friendly pillows is that they are made from renewable resources and last much longer than cotton, polyester, and down filled ones (the kind I’m sending to the dump because there seems no alternative-sewing machine is packed). The uncool thing is the price. The investment for a full family will be substantial. Even the kiddy pillows are pricey. This brings me to the question of the day:

Is your child ready for an eco-friendly pillow?

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Now wasn’t that lovely? Suspended in post-coital bliss like a fly in amber, you might forgo all you have learned to just relax. However, it’s just as important to exercise environmentalism after sex.

Don’t light up a cigarette. Don’t even think about it.

Break out your soy-based massage oil and give your partner a light massage. Choose a soothing scent, like white tea or lavender, to help him or her relax. When you are ready to get out of bed, jump in the shower for some sudsy fun. Have an organic shampoo and conditioner ready, like Nature’s Shampoo and Conditioner (available at Beeswork.com). Wash each other with an organic cleanser like Nature’s Cleanser or Tom’s of Maine Nature Moisturizing Body Bar. As always, make sure that your shower is under five minutes! Wash up with Tom’s of Maine deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss. Slip into organic pajamas, like Kushtushs’ two-piece silk charmeuse set for men and women. Then, snuggle together and get ready for the best, guiltless sleep of your life.

Share the love! Give this affordable gift basket with everything needed for truly organic sex to some newlyweds! You are sure to give the best present at the wedding.

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Considering we spend 1/3 of our lives asleep, what we put near our bodies (while snoozing) can be as important as what we put in them. Opting for natural and eco-friendly products can help the earth, eliminate toxins and give you a better night’s sleep—which goes to show you don’t have to be conscious to be health-conscious.

1. Non-haz Mats

A healthy bed starts from the ground up. Mattresses are often made with synthetic rubbers and fillers that pollute the environment inside your room and out, so look for a model with natural fibers. Our picks? Green Fusion Design Center’s Green Sleep collection uses natural rubber for a safer, durable alternative. Or try Magniflex’s new soy-based, organic foam GeoEthic mattress, which is available by phone at 888-642-4800.

2. Top This

Want to stop overheating in your sleep? No sweat! Natural fibers absorb moisture and control body temperature, giving you a more pleasant rest. Vivetique’s Pure Grow Wool™ line has some of the most breathable bed toppers around, including lining for cribs. Anna Sova’s organic cotton bedding is not only comfortable, it’s produced under ethical working conditions so you can rest easy.

3. On the Pillow

We release skin particles and moisture while we sleep, creating a perfect breeding ground for dust mites, germs and other impurities (and let’s not even discuss the one-third of people who snooze with their pets). A dirt- and allergen-filtering pillow like FabricTech’s PillowBarrier™ can ensure that your bedtime breathing is clean and pure, even if Fluffy stays.

4. Clean Green

Even the cleanest bedding needs a good cycle to stay fresh, although washing isn’t always green. To limit environmental harm, look for a natural detergent that promises to make the entire laundry process biodegradable. We love Ecover’s plant-based detergents and Seventh Generation’s vegetable-based line, both of which fight dirt … without a trace.