This Sleep Awareness Week, rest assured that if you don’t snooze, you lose
This week is Sleep Awareness Week, which celebrates sleep health and encourages prioritizing sleep for better health and well-being. While adults need between seven to nine hours of sleep, 35.2% of them in the U.S. report getting less than that. Almost half of all Americans say they feel sleepy on three to seven days every week. If you relate a little too well with them, here are a few products to help you catch more z’s.
Weighted Blanket
$79.99+; Amazon.com
Weighted blankets are a form of deep pressure therapy and have many calming benefits to help give you a restful night’s sleep. Weighted blankets can help increase serotonin, decrease nervous system activity, reduce nighttime movement, and reduce heart rate.
Meditation Apps
$69.99/year; Calm.com
$69.99/year or $12.99/month; Headspace.com
Meditation apps are a great way to unwind after a long day. There are several apps available, but Calm and Headspace are the most popular. Both have a huge selection of guided meditations, sleep stories, sleep sounds, and focus music. These are great for before bedtime or when you need a moment of zen.
Darkening Blackout Curtains
$27.52+; Amazon.com
For light-sensitive sleepers, these are a must-have. The curtains block out streetlight, sunlight, and UV rays to help you stay asleep even when the outside world is awake. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, so you can find the perfect fit for your bedroom.
Oil Diffuser
$69.95; Amazon.com
Aromatherapy can do wonders for sleep. This oil diffuser has four timer settings and comes with 10 essential oils. Just pick your favorite one for relaxation and get ready to snooze.
Blue Light Blocking Glasses
$15.98; Amazon.com
A Sleep Foundation study found that 90% of Americans use their electronic devices within an hour of trying to fall asleep. Our electronic devices emit blue light, a portion of the visible light spectrum that can suppress the body’s release of melatonin and disrupt our circadian rhythms. While it’s best to stay off your devices before bed, if that isn’t an option, blue light blocking glasses can help reduce blue light exposure and the negative effects it has on your sleep.
Sunset/Sunrise Simulator
$108.95; Amazon.com
This device helps establish a healthy sleep and wake-up routine by simulating a natural sunset and sunrise. It doubles as an alarm clock and bedside lamp, and has 20 brightness settings and five wake-up sounds.
Sleepytime Tea
$2.89; Target.com
Sleepytime is a classic bedtime tea. The calming herbal tea is made with a blend of soothing herbs, including chamomile, spearmint, and lemongrass, to help you wind down before bedtime.
