Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement and other bodily functions. Individuals with Parkinson’s will often display symptoms such as tremors in the hands, arms, and head; a slow, stiff walking gait; and poor balance and coordination. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, nearly one million Americans have a Parkinson’s diagnosis. About 60,000 new cases are identified every year, typically in individuals between 60 and 80 years of age.
One of the lesser-known symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is sleep issues. Some of these are movement related; others are a consequence of the progression of the disease or the medication the patient takes for treatment. Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for anyone suffering a health problem. For Parkinson’s patients, the importance is even greater, as excessive daytime sleepiness from sleep problems poses the additional risk of accidents. It can also compound the anxiety and depression that can come with Parkinson’s disease.
At Mulberry Park Silks, we think sleeping on a set of our pure silk sheets can help and the Davis Phinney Foundation For Parkinson's agrees, listing our sheets among the "Gear and Gadgets For the One You Love With Parkinson's."There are many benefits to sleeping on silk, which can make it easier to fall asleep and to sleep comfortably. While our silk sheets are not magic, we do believe a simple change to silk bedding can greatly improve the quality of life – and sleep – for a Parkinson’s patient.
Although Parkinson’s patients do not experience tremors in their sleep, they may have trouble getting comfortable and falling asleep at night due to pain and stiffness. This is a common problem among people affected by movement diseases. Parkinson’s patients may also struggle with circadian rhythm problems; the lower levels of dopamine in their brains mean that sleep/wake cycles can become disrupted. They also are susceptible to difficulty with REM sleep (including physically moving and acting out during the dream state); restless leg syndrome (RLS); and even sleep apnea.
Pure silk sheets are certainly not a cure for these issues, but they can absolutely help create a soothing, comfortable environment that helps promote sleep. Here’s how:
Our pure silk sheets are made in a charmeuse weave: soft, silky, and nearly friction free. This makes it easier to find a comfortable position for falling asleep and to return to a comfortable position after moving in the night due to a sleep disturbance like moving during dreams or moving to quiet restless leg syndrome. Additionally, silk’s smooth surface may make repositioning feel easier and more comfortable, which can support both the individual and their caregiver during nighttime care, while the low friction charmeuse weave protects fragile skin from tears and pressure sores.
Silk sheets provide breathability and temperature regulation for restful sleep. Silk naturally wicks away moisture and keeps your temperature regulated no matter the season or conditions. If it is hot, silk keeps you cool; in colder weather, silk creates a layer of insulation to keep you warm. This means that silk sheets are the ideal sleeping environment for fostering quality sleep. Of course, silk sheets won't cure a sleep disorder, but they do provide the best possible environment to cope with any type of sleep disturbance.
Our silk bed sheets are naturally hypoallergenic, non-irritating, and resistant to mold and dust mites. Additionally, all Mulberry Park Silks sheets and products are OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified as safe from harmful chemicals, toxins and irritants.
Along with being non-irritating, our silk sheets help keep hair and skin gently moisturized. One of the primary components of silk fiber is a protein known as fibroin, which is naturally hydrating and soothing. In contrast, regular cotton sheets can actually dry out skin and inflame conditions like eczema. Learn more about the differences between silk and cotton sheets here.
This means our silk sheets can easily be cared for in your machine at home with minimal effort! We recommend using a detergent specially formulated for silk, such as Heritage Park Luxury Silk and Wool Detergent. Turn your pillowcases inside out and place your silk bedding in fine mesh laundry bags to protect them from damage inside the machine. Wash in cool water on a delicate or silk cycle, and hang your sheets to dry indoors or outside away from direct sunlight. If ironing is needed, use a cool iron and follow these instructions.
Other neurological conditions can also affect sleep. Many people struggle with restless leg syndrome even without an underlying disease like Parkinson’s or conditions such as periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) which can also disrupt rest. Silk sheets may help increase comfort, mobility in bed, and ability to return to sleep after waking from these conditions as well.
Restful sleep is an important part of overall health for everyone, including people living with Parkinson’s disease. Because Parkinson’s symptoms can affect movement, temperature control, comfort, and nighttime mobility in bed, creating a restful sleep environment may help support better rest throughout the night.
A few simple habits may help improve sleep quality. Experts suggest, trying to get regular movement or exercise during the day, limit exposure to blue light from phones, tablets, and television screens before bed, and keep a consistent bedtime and wake time whenever possible. Choosing breathable, temperature regulating bed sheets can also make a difference, especially for Parkinson’s patients who tend to feel too warm, sweat at night, or struggle to shift position comfortably.
If breathing problems, snoring, or possible sleep apnea are interfering with your ability to rest, speak with your physician. They may recommend a sleep study to investigate the cause and help determine the best next steps.
At first glance, the terms silk and satin may seem interchangeable, but they are not the same. Satin is not a fiber or textile; it is a weave that gives fabric its signature smooth, shiny look. The luminous finish of Mulberry Park Silks sheets comes from our charmeuse weave, while many inexpensive satin sheets are made from synthetic, petroleum-based materials.
This distinction matters, especially for anyone choosing bed sheets with comfort, safety, and durability in mind. Synthetic satin sheets do not offer the same natural benefits as real mulberry silk. They may lack breathability, trap heat and moisture, and feel uncomfortably hot in summer compared with smooth but stable mulberry silk sheets. Some synthetic fabrics may also be treated with artificial finishes or coatings, which can be a concern for shoppers hoping to avoid unnecessary chemicals in their sleep environment.
For people living with Parkinson’s, silk sheets may offer a more thoughtful solution. Real mulberry silk is naturally breathable, temperature regulating, smooth, and gentle against sensitive skin. Its low-friction surface may help support easier movement in bed, while its quality construction offers the durability needed for nightly use. For those searching for a more comfortable, restful sleep environment, silk offers both practical comfort and a sense of hope that small changes at bedtime can make daily life feel a little easier.
At Mulberry Park Silks, we are proud to offer a full range of silk sheets and pillowcases in a variety of momme weights, colors, and price points. Our 19 momme silk is our lightest weight and most affordable option; it is ideal for anyone who is new to silk and looking to try it out. Our 22 momme silk bedding is our signature collection and our most popular weight weave. If you are looking for a heavier silk that is the ultimate in luxury, consider our indulgent 30 momme bedding. Whichever collection you choose, all Mulberry Park Silks products are made from the highest quality silk in the marketplace and provide the ultimate value. We use the helpful acronym "CHARMS" to explain why our silk is so wonderful:
We also welcome you to visit our Silk Buyer’s Guide and our informative silk blog to learn more about all the benefits of Mulberry Park Silks.
We founded Mulberry Park with one simple mission: to design the highest quality silk items in the market and offer them at an affordable price. And we've done just that, with a full range of silk products made from 100% pure mulberry long strand silk fabric. The silk fabric used for our silk sheets and silk pillowcases has also been OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified to be tested for over 1000 harmful chemicals.
Visit us online or call us at (800) 860-1924 to learn more about our silk sheets, silk pillowcases, duvet covers and shams, and real silk accessories including sleep masks, travel pillows, and silk hair scrunchies.
