Ashwin Lewis
Sleep is an essential part of our lives, and getting a good night's rest can be influenced by various factors, including our environment and bedtime routines. To enhance your sleep quality, you can explore a range of products, from mattresses and pillows to sleepwear, gadgets, and accessories. These products can be purchased from various sources, including online retailers like Amazon and specialist websites such as SleepFoundation.org, which provides data-driven recommendations based on extensive testing. Business Insider also offers in-depth reviews and buying guides for sleep products, leveraging the expertise of individuals like James Brains, who has a background in experimental psychology and product testing. Additionally, Health.com features award-winning sleep products, while ConsumerReports.org shares insights from its team members' personal experiences with sleep-enhancing items.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Product | Sunrise alarms that mimic natural light patterns, noise-canceling headphones, white noise machines, sleep sprays, blackout curtains, bedroom fans, melatonin, light-blocking stickers, sleep masks, mattresses, pillows, bedding, sleepwear, gadgets, accessories, weighted blankets, cooling essentials |
| Where to Buy | SleepFoundation.org, Amazon, Business Insider, Health.com, ConsumerReports.org |
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What You'll Learn
Sunrise alarms, sunset lamps, and other light-related products
Light plays a critical role in regulating our sleep and wakefulness. Our body's natural sleep-wake cycle responds to different colours of light, and light influences the body's natural 24-hour biological clock. When it is light outside, the body knows it is time to be awake, and when it is dark, the body gets ready for sleep.
Light therapy is a type of therapy designed to treat certain health conditions through exposure to artificial light. Light therapy works by exposing a person to bright artificial light at specific times throughout the day in order to reset the circadian clock. Light therapy may be a treatment option for insomnia, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, seasonal depression, and even jet lag.
You can buy light therapy boxes from Best Buy and Walmart. Best Buy offers the HappyLight® Luxe light therapy lamp by Verilux, which features adjustable colour, temperature, and a countdown timer. Walmart offers sunset lamps in the form of projection lights, with options such as the Richgv Sunset Lamp Projection, which offers 16 colours and 360-degree rotation.
Sunrise alarm clocks are another light-related product that can help with sleep. These devices simulate a sunrise to help you wake up. Sunrise alarms can also help with sleep issues by offering a sunset routine option. The Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light HF3520 is a popular sunrise alarm clock, with soothing sunrise simulations that start with a gentle, red-tinted glow that gradually grows into a room-filling bright white light. You can buy the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light from Best Buy.
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Aromatherapy and sleep sprays
Aromatherapy sleep sprays are a blend of essential oils that can help you relax and promote a good night's sleep. They are safe, natural, and can be used on children's bedding to create a calming effect. Aromatherapy has been around for centuries and is an effective way to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation and sleep.
There are several ways to use aromatherapy oils, but one of the easiest is to create a spray. You can make your own sleep spray by adding an ounce of vodka to a 2-ounce bottle, or 4 ounces to an 8-ounce bottle. Vodka helps the spray dry quickly and won't affect the fragrance. If you don't have vodka, you can use witch hazel or rubbing alcohol, but these may alter the scent. Next, add 10 drops of lavender essential oil and 10 drops of Roman chamomile essential oil. You can also add 10 drops of a fourth essential oil of your choice. Finally, pour in distilled water, leaving a little room to shake and blend the ingredients. You can then gently spray your pillows and sheets before bed.
If you don't want to make your own, there are several sleep sprays available to buy. Aromatherapy Associates' Deep Relax Sleep Mist is a natural fragrance that can be applied to bedding and clothing. Lush also has a popular Sleepy Body Spray, which contains essential oils. Sleep sprays with scents like lavender, chamomile, jasmine, and sandalwood are also recommended by sleep experts.
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Mattresses
When it comes to buying a mattress, it's important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Your ideal mattress depends on a range of factors, including your body type, sleep position, and personal preferences.
For example, heavier individuals typically require a firmer mattress to keep their spine aligned and prevent sagging, while lighter sleepers are usually better suited to softer mattresses that provide more cushioning. Sleep position also plays a role in the type of mattress you should choose. Stomach sleepers need a firm mattress, side sleepers require a softer surface, and back sleepers or combination sleepers are best served by a medium-firm mattress.
Additionally, if you share a bed with a partner, stability and motion isolation become important factors. Foam mattresses generally offer better stability than innerspring mattresses, although innersprings with individually wrapped coils can also perform well in this area. A stable mattress allows one person to shift their position without disturbing the other, ensuring a good night's sleep for both of you.
When shopping for a mattress, you'll also want to consider breathability, durability, and customer service. In terms of breathability, innerspring mattresses with coils allow for better airflow and less heat retention compared to foam mattresses. Regarding durability, steel coils tend to hold up better than memory foam over time. Finally, some companies offer additional services such as in-home setup, which can be a valuable bonus.
There are a variety of brands and retailers that offer mattresses with the features mentioned above. The Sleep Company, for instance, is a top mattress brand in India, known for its innovative SmartGrid technology. Their mattresses are designed to provide exceptional support, breathability, and adaptability. Other well-regarded retailers include Denver Mattress, Mattress Warehouse, Raymour & Flanigan, Saatva, and the Original Mattress Factory. Direct-to-consumer online brands often provide generous trial periods, ranging from 30 days to a year, so you can test out the mattress before fully committing.
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Pillows
The pillow you choose can have a significant impact on your sleep quality. When selecting a pillow, it's important to consider your sleep position, as well as your personal preferences for material and budget. Side sleepers typically require thicker and firmer pillows, while stomach sleepers need softer and thinner pillows. Back sleepers usually opt for something in between.
Memory foam pillows are made from a synthetic foam that moulds to the shape of your head and neck, providing support and comfort. Memory foam pillows are denser than standard pillows, and they respond to the heat and weight of your head, creating a cradling sensation. Microfibre and hollowfibre pillows are more affordable alternatives to natural fills like feather and down, and they're also designed to mimic the feel of natural fills. Some synthetic pillows are treated to resist dust mites and bacteria, making them ideal for allergy sufferers.
If you're seeking a natural fill pillow, goose down pillows offer a luxurious and comfortable option. These pillows are often lightweight and breathable, providing a blissful night's sleep. Additionally, duck down and feather pillows are another natural fill option, offering everyday luxury at an affordable price.
When it comes to purchasing pillows, there are various retailers and brands to consider. Soak&Sleep offers a wide range of pillow options, including memory foam, natural-filled, and body pillows for pregnancy. Good Housekeeping also provides extensive pillow options, catering to different sleep positions, materials, and budgets. Their team of experts rigorously tests hundreds of pillows to help you find the perfect one. Walmart's SleepBetter collection includes various pillow types, such as side sleeper, back sleeper, and multi-position pillows, all available at affordable prices. Carpenter Co., the creator of SleepBetter, also offers comfort cushioning products available at retailers like Costco, Bed Bath & Beyond, and JCPenney.
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Weighted blankets and sleepwear
Weighted blankets are designed to improve your sleep quality by providing you with deep pressure touch stimulation. They are heavier than usual blankets and are meant to wrap your body in a soothing embrace.
There are a variety of weighted blankets available on the market, with different sizes, weights, and fabrics to choose from. When purchasing a weighted blanket, it is important to consider the size and weight that will be most comfortable for you. Some companies recommend choosing a blanket that is approximately 10% of your body weight, while others suggest selecting a size that offers an ideal weight per square foot.
Some popular brands that sell weighted blankets include Luna, Luxome, Magic, Gravity, and Nest Bedding. These blankets vary in terms of fabric quality, with some using high thread count fabrics for maximum durability and breathability, while others may use lower-quality materials. It is worth considering the climate you live in and whether you tend to sleep hot when choosing the fabric for your weighted blanket. For example, Luxome and Nest Bedding's weighted blankets use cooling lyocell from bamboo, making them ideal for warm-to-hot sleepers. On the other hand, Magic's weighted blanket has been described as feeling like a mix between premium cotton and silk, with moisture-wicking and thermal-regulating properties.
In addition to the brands mentioned above, there are also weighted blankets available from retailers like Walmart, offering a range of options at different price points. When considering which weighted blanket to purchase, it is important to read reviews and compare features such as fabric quality, weight distribution, and heat retention. Some reviews for the Luna blanket, for example, have noted issues with the stitching and zippers, while the Nest Bedding blanket has been praised for its elegant design and soft, silky feel.
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Frequently asked questions
SleepFoundation.org provides extensive reviews of mattresses, pillows, bedding, and sleep accessories. You can also refer to Business Insider for reviews of mattresses and mattress manufacturing insights. Dr. Roizen recommends Casper mattresses, which can be purchased on their website.
Business Insider recommends the Eli & Elm Cotton Side Sleeper Pillow for its ability to support your neck and provide better spinal alignment. Allergy sufferers can opt for the Tuft & Needle Alternative Pillow, which is hypoallergenic and uses a lighter synthetic fill to recreate the feeling of down pillows.
Joanne Chen, a former deputy home editor, recommends the Brooklinen Luxe Core set for its smooth and silky feel. These sheets can be purchased on the Brooklinen website.
The Therabody SleepMask offers white or pink noise, relaxation sounds, and guided meditation to help users relax and fall asleep. It can be purchased on the Therabody website or from online retailers.
