Working in a shadowy cubicle away from the windows and sunlight is hardly anyone's idea of a dream job, but most of us can't control our work environment, which leads us to head into the office regardless of where our desk is. However, a new study released at the SLEEP 2013 meeting, a major convention for the Journal of Sleep and Sleep Disorders Research, suggests that working away from the sun could be detrimental to your sleep patterns. 

The study surveyed individuals who worked in offices with windows as well as those who worked in offices without windows, and found that both quality of life and nightly rest were better for those who were exposed to more sunlight on a daily basis. Specifically, workers who were near a window got an average of 46 minutes more sleep per night, according to the study. 

This is good reason to take that desk over by the window if it is up for grabs, but also an incentive to make sure that you get outside and are exposed to the sun as much as you can during the day. Of course, not all of us can change our working conditions, and for many individuals, there would be no way to get more exposure to natural light at work. 

While you might not be able to do anything about the amount of light you see during the day, you can ensure that you come home to an eco friendly mattress that will be as comfortable as possible and help you get the rest you need for another day at work. Stop in to an Ergo Sleep Systems showroom today to see how you can start resting better naturally. 

As any green advocate will tell you, the benefits of riding a bicycle are clear. These simple man-powered machines can get you from place to place relatively quickly, keep you in good shape and do quite a bit to limit your carbon footprint, since they leave behind a minimal impact on the environment. In recent years, cycling has made a comeback, as many people seek a more eco-friendly mode of transportation and gas prices have been erratic. 

Nowhere is this more true than in Italy. Though this European nation has always been popular for cyclists—it hosts the Giro d'Italia every spring—biking has reached new heights in the country. For the first time in more than a half-century, Italians have purchased more bikes than cars in the past year, environmentalist blog TreeHugger reports. 

The author of the article notes that the reasons dictating this choice are likely economic as well as environmental. After all, the country's economy has been struggling since the crash in 2008, leading many Italians to prefer to rely on a mode of transportation that wasn't a monthly expense for them as well. 

Still, this should lead to a major decrease in the carbon footprint of the country, which is good news for the environment overall. Biking is a great way to make green living a priority in your daily life, but it's also important to consider the impact of the furniture items in your home. Ergo Sleep Systems specializes in eco friendly mattresses that will give you a great night's sleep without taking a toll on the environment. Stop in to our organic mattress store in Berkeley to learn how you can sleep better today.