Everyone sleeps differently, meaning that what works for one person might not work for another. If your mattress and pillow aren’t cutting it, it might be time to consider products that go the extra mile. Don’t let 2019 be another year of failed resolutions and dark circles under your eyes.
SleepScore
SleepScore is the largest sleep survey ever. The app measures the amount and quality of sleep you get night-to-night by tracking your breathing and movement with sonar technology. You receive scores every morning based on how you slept the previous night, and the data only becomes more robust with time. It eventually begins to compare your sleep profile with others that were similar and saw improvement, when it sends you actionable recommendations (close the blinds, find some earplugs, etc.) to improve your own. Plus, it’s free.
F.lux Software
In the words of Harvard Medical School, “Blue light has a dark side.” All light has color, and all color is made up of different wavelengths. Blue-light wavelengths are known to increase attention and stimulate awareness, two things you really don’t need when you’re getting close to bedtime. F.lux is free software for desktops and smartphones that adjusts the amount of blue light emitted from the screen throughout the day.
Blinky Eyemask
There’s evidence that suggests light pollution in a bedroom can knock a person’s Circadian rhythm out of sync. Beyond that, light is just really annoying (especially if you live in a large urban area). This is the eyemask for people who have tried eyemasks and didn’t like them. Instead of pressing against your eyelids (and uncomfortably folding your eyelashes), it cups around the eyes. It also comes in dozens of colors if you really care about your bedtime aesthetic.
Marpac Dohm White Noise Machine
Marpac’s Dohm white noise generator has been drowning out loud neighbors since 1962. It’s one of the most-recommended sleep products in the world because it’s simple (turn it on and twist the top until you like the emitted sound) and delivers.
Gossamer Dusk CBD and CBN Tincture
“Over the past year and a half, we’ve tested, tried, and ingested as many cannabinoid-based products as possible. Mostly because we wanted to, but also because it’s our job.” That’s how Gossamer, a weed culture magazine based in Colorado, sells their brand new sleep aid. Dusk is a blend of hemp seed oil, full spectrum CBD, CBN and natural terpenes. It will not get you high. But with consistent, nightly use, it should aid in the age-old task of passing the hell out.
Ikea Trippevals Black-Out Blinds
Here’s another tool in the fight against light. Black-out blinds are probably the easiest way to reduce light pollution if you don’t like things on your face while sleeping. This set from Ikea comes with fittings that attach to walls or ceilings and osbcures the cord under the shade. Ikea also claims its honeycomb structure aids in home insulation, thus reduce heating costs.
Baloo Weighted Blanket
Say what you will about weighted blankets but the simple fact is this: they help some people get to sleep, stay asleep and wake up better rested. Baloo’s version is much like others out there but it’s made of Oeko-Tex 100 Standard cotton. It’s also machine-washable, a rarity in the world of weighted blankets. The quilt-stitching mean the tiny beads that give it weight remain evenly distributed.
Philips Somneo Light
This light exists as your own personal sun. It syncs with the sunrise cycle, making it a good pairing for black-out blinds. If the price is an issue, you can get something similar for a whole lot less — it just won’t be as pleasant and lacks some of the secondary features, such as a back up alarm that remains active for eight hours in case of a power failure.
Coway Mighty Air Purifier
Coway’s Mighty air purifier eats VOCs all day long. Named the best air purifier for the home by too many websites to count, the little black box forces air through a pre-filter, odor filter, HEPA filter and something called a bipolar ionizer that essentially electrocutes the air and breaks up any potentially harmful air particles to make the air more breathable. It’s especially useful if you’re allergy-prone or sensitive to regular household odors.
Bose Noise-Masking Sleep Buds
While white noise machines offer some respite from auditory distraction, they’re not engineered to solve everything. Namely, the noise from the person you sleep with. Because the feeling of things in your ears at night isn’t totally normal, Bose’s white noise earbuds will take a little getting used to, but once you’ve accustomed yourself to them, you’ll learn there are few options better at drowning out the world around you.
