The science of healthy sleep: Physiology, Medicine and why an optimal microclimate is the key to long-term rest.
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INTRODUCTION: Sleep as an Active Process – A Biological Necessity, Not a Luxury
Did you know that your body is actively working while you sleep? Rather than passively resting, sleep is the most important biological process for your brain and body. Lack of quality sleep has a direct impact on memory, mood, and even the risk of chronic diseases.
In this detailed guide, we enter the sleep lab: we'll explore the sleep cycle, explain the role of body temperature, and show you how the microclimate under your covers is crucial to achieving true, deep recovery.
1. UNDERSTANDING THE PHYSIOLOGY OF SLEEP: Journeying through the night
Sleep is not a uniform state; it consists of cycles that repeat every 90 minutes or so. Each cycle has its own critical role in our health.
A. Sleep stages and their meaning
| Sleep phase | Main role | The consequence of the interruption |
| NREM 1-2 (Light sleep) | Preparing the body, slowing down the heart rate and breathing. | Easy awakening, feeling like we didn't even sleep. |
| NREM 3 (Deep/Slow Sleep) | Physical recovery. Muscle recovery, cell regeneration, secretion of growth hormones and lowering of body temperature. | Feeling physically exhausted and having body aches the next day. |
| REM (Rapid Eye Movement) | Mental recovery. Memory consolidation, learning and emotional processing (dreaming phase). | Difficulty concentrating, bad mood, increased stress levels. |
B. Melatonin and Cortisol: Hormonal conductors of the night
The key to entering quality deep sleep is the balance of two hormones:
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Melatonin (The Hormone of Darkness): Its secretion regulates our circadian rhythm (internal clock). Melatonin production begins at dusk and signals the body that it is time to rest.
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Cortisol (Stress Hormone): Cortisol levels should be low during the night. However, if sleep is poor (frequent waking, stress, overheating), the body secretes cortisol and interrupts deep sleep, pushing you back into light stages.
KEY CONCLUSION: To allow the body to enter Deep and REM sleep and secrete the right hormones, we must provide it with an uninterrupted environment .
2. THERMOREGULATION: The Unspoken Rule of Deep Sleep
It is scientifically proven: to enter deep sleep (NREM 3), your body temperature must drop by approximately 1 °C. This is the most common reason why we wake up in the middle of the night.
A. "Thermal Neutral Zone" (TZN)
The body sleeps best when it is neutral – that is, when it does not have to invest energy in cooling (by sweating) or heating. This ideal temperature range under the covers is called the Thermal Neutral Zone (TZN) .
If the sleeping environment becomes too warm, the body automatically triggers cooling mechanisms (sweating), which:
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It causes awakening.
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It disrupts the sleep cycle.
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It keeps you in the light stages of sleep.
B. Problems with synthetic materials and feathers
Many classic duvets – especially those filled with polyester – are good insulators, but they are poor at breathing and regulating moisture . They create a heat trap : it's too hot, you sweat, the material retains moisture and you wake up.
3. SOLUTION FROM NATURE: Camel's wool and the science of microclimate
Here comes the part where we connect the biological need for TZN with the unique properties of camel wool.
The camel, which lives in the desert where temperatures vary from -40°C to +50°C, has developed a fleece that is a perfect natural thermoregulator .
Hollow fibers for breathability: Camel wool fibers are hollow and lightweight. This unique structure ensures that the duvet is not only an insulator, but also an active air exchanger . In winter, it retains the warmth you have created, and in summer, it actively dissipates excess heat .
Discover our duvet and ensure you stay in the Thermal Neutral Zone all night long.
Outstanding moisture control: Wool can absorb moisture (sweat) without becoming damp to the touch. This means that the microclimate under your duvet is kept dry and clean, preventing "cold" or "humid" shocks that would otherwise interrupt your sleep.
Hypoallergenic: Low levels of lanolin and a dry environment make duvets naturally inhospitable to dust mites and allergens, which means fewer sneezing and fewer sleep interruptions due to irritation.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HYPOALLERGENICITY
Hypoallergenicity] Do you have allergies? Check out why camel wool is a recommended natural choice.
CONCLUSION: Invest in your Sleep Cycles
Quality sleep is the foundation of health. If your duvets interrupt your natural cycle by lowering or raising your body temperature, you're losing precious hours of deep recovery.
Investing in a duvet that supports sleep science – one that regulates moisture, breathes, and maintains ideal TZN – is not an expense, but a crucial investment in your long-term mental and physical health.
Are you ready for uninterrupted sleep? Explore our collection of camel wool duvets and choose the perfect weight for your bedroom.
