T-shirt sheets: comfort for better sleep

For the past few years, I've been looking for ways to get a better night's sleep. I've invested in a memory foam mattress and matching pillow, hung curtains to block light, used a white noise machine to block sound... if someone recommended it, I tried it. I kept hoping each new change would make a dramatic difference in the quality of my sleep, but I eventually realized that there is no magic bullet, because there are so many factors that affect sleep quality. So I revised my expectations and began looking for little pieces of the puzzle that would add up to a better night's rest.

I'm not sure when I made the connection that softer sheets help, but it makes sense: the more comfortable you are, the better you'll sleep. I started with 300 thread count sheets, which felt great but were expensive -- I got one set but couldn't afford a spare. So I was excited to discover t-shirt sheets are incredibly comfortable and more affordable. I find them even softer than my high-thread count sheets, and the top sheet snuggles close around me in a way that I find very soothing; I feel safe, cocooned in softness. And temperature-wise, they're just right for the Southern climate, where in fall and winter it can be 30 degrees one night and 70 degrees the next; they're pleasantly cool on warm nights, while in cooler weather, they don't hold a chill the way pure cotton sheets do.

I highly recommend that you give t-shirt sheets a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed. But if you still need convincing, follow the product links below and read the reviews -- the word "comfortable" appears over and over!

I've had my Room Essentials jersey sheets from Target for almost two years now and I've used them pretty frequently. Sadly, the bottom sheet is starting to show some wear; it's developed light pilling across the middle of the sheet. While it's disappointing, I do think it's to be expected; I've had pure cotton sheets in this price range do the same thing. If pilling is a concern for you, I'd suggest you try a more expensive brand or avoid t-shirt sheets entirely.

Photos used under license from Stock.XCHNG.