Sleep is critical to human health. Yet it goes underappreciated; even people who watch their diet and exercise regularly may neglect their sleep. While there are a lot of factors that play into how well someone sleeps, their physical environment is major. People with substandard bedding won’t sleep as well as people with a soft, comfortable bed.

Investing in one’s own sleep doesn’t have to be expensive. The first question to ask is this: is it time to change your sheets? One may need new sheets if they see yellowing, tearing, or holes in their current set. Fraying seams, lingering odors, and declining sleep quality are also clear signs. 

Once a person has settled on getting a new set of sheets, it can seem like their possibilities are endless. Here are a few ways to narrow down the selection process. First: what fabric are the sheets made of? Cotton is a popular favorite because it is low maintenance, comfortable in all seasons, durable, and affordable. After picking material, the next choice is fabric quality. Thread count is a popular indicator, but not the only one. Any thread count above 250 is durable for most purposes. The last big step is color.