Do you spend your nights tossing and turning, rearranging pillows to find the most optimal position? Have you been going back and forth between scrolling on your phone or staring at the ceiling? If any of these activities sound familiar, then you likely haven’t been getting enough sleep.
It may not come as a surprise, then, that in today’s day and age, struggling to fall asleep in the evenings is becoming all the more common. It may be caused by an erratic sleep schedule, an excess of blue light exposure from one’s devices, an overdose of caffeine, or just too much stress in general.
Whatever the culprit of your sleeplessness may be, don’t fret. There are products out there that can help you catch a good night’s sleep. From downloading a meditation app to shopping for sleepwear, here are some suggestions to send you off to dreamland.
Silky Soft Pajamas
Invest in a pair of comfortable pajamas that will get you excited to go to bed. Depending on your style preference, you can pick a set in a nice classic color or some crazy funky prints. If your budget allows for it, choose a pair that will regulate your body temperature. That way, you can stay cool on hot summer nights and warm on cold winter evenings.
That said, your pajamas of choice don’t have to be made of silk, though that’s always a nice bonus. But when choosing what material your sleepwear should be made of, remember that the type of fabric is key to ensuring maximum comfort. Here are some popular choices to watch out for when shopping:
Cotton
Cotton-made lounge clothing sets are one of the best and most affordable options because they are natural, lightweight, breathable, and cloud-like. Since it’s a natural fiber, pure cotton is also gentle to the touch, making it appropriate for those with sensitive skin.. When it comes to regulating your body temperature, though, other fabrics do the job better.
Sleep Spray
Deep sleep pillow spray is a type of product that helps you fall asleep faster. It is made with ingredients that help to create a calm and relaxing environment, which can help you drift off to sleep more quickly. It has been proven to work by calming the nerves and making it harder for your mind to focus on other things. Sleeping spray is perfect for people who struggle with insomnia. It works by providing a burst of energy during the day so that you don’t feel tired at night.
Silk
The go-to option when it comes to thermoregulation, silk is a fabric you can find yourself using all year round. However, this benefit comes with a price, so you’ll find that pure silk pajamas will be more expensive than other fabric compositions. That said, if you’ve got the money to splurge, this may be well worth the investment.
If you’ve never worn a silk pair before, you may need some time to adjust to the fabric’s slippery feeling, so keep that in mind before finalizing your purchase.
Flannel
When winter comes, flannel will keep you warm and toasty. Given that it’s a heavier fabric compared to most other options, though, it may only be suitable for the colder months of the year. Otherwise, you may find yourself sweating if you attempt to wear flannel pajamas on summer evenings.
Bamboo
Bamboo fabric has grown in popularity in recent years due to its natural, antibacterial, and hypoallergenic properties. Some prefer it over cotton since it provides the same benefits, but with the addition of moisture-wicking capabilities.
If you’re looking to save the earth, a pair of bamboo pajamas is a more sustainable product choice, as it’s biodegradable and eco-friendly. Bamboo is a natural resource that grows quickly, making it one of the top renewable raw materials out there, too. How’s that for sustainable fashion?
Wool or Fleece
Reserved for just the coldest of winter nights, wool or fleece pajamas are another possibility to consider. While they’re guaranteed to keep you warm, they may not be the most comfortable fabric out there. They can get scratchy and maybe even irritate those with sensitive skin. If you’re prone to rashes and redness, it’s best to avoid this fabric.
A Weighted Blanket
Can’t help but toss and turn for hours each night? A weighted blanket may be the solution you’ve been looking for. The idea for weighted blankets is based on deep pressure stimulation, a therapeutic technique that induces a sense of calmness and security. As such, this product can simulate the comfort you’d get from a loved one’s embrace thanks to the gentle pressure of the added weight.
Indeed, many have attributed better sleep to the use of weighted blankets. These products are believed to induce good sleep hormones like melatonin and serotonin while reducing stress hormones like cortisol. The distributed pressure all over the body is designed to calm the nervous system and slow one’s breathing.
While it may seem like these blankets are wrapped up in positive benefits, it’s always best to consult a doctor before using one. This is because they may not be advisable for individuals with certain health conditions.
If you’ve got the go signal from your doctor, what do you need to know when choosing the right weighted blanket? As a general rule, you should opt for one that’s equivalent to about 10 percent of your body weight. This will ensure that you won’t have difficulty pulling it off when you wake up the next morning.
A Meditation App
Stress is a definite impediment to sleep. And with the hustle and bustle of city life, it can be extremely beneficial to take several minutes each day to just focus on the here and now and not let the stress of the outside world in.
With that in mind, daily meditation can help take some load off, so you can start and end each day at peace. For those who can’t seem to get their mind to slow down, though, a meditation app may be worth downloading. These often feature breathing exercises, soft background music, and an audio guide with a soothing voice.
To supplement your meditation practice, you can try maintaining a journal. Use it to keep track of your thoughts and ideas. Do this regularly enough, and it can lead to deeper reflection and introspection.
A Smart Mattress
Smart mattresses offer responsive firmness, making them an ideal choice for sleepers who just can’t stop moving. Aside from their ability to adjust to your position, they can also track your sleep quality and provide insights on how you can spend longer phases in REM and deep sleep.
Though this is one of the pricier items on the list, a smart mattress might be worth considering should you be able to afford it. The good news is that there are many different versions of this product available on the market, depending on what features you care about the most.
A Diffuser and Some Essential Oils
The essential oil market has blown up over the last couple of years due to these products’ purported health benefits. For example, the scents of lavender and chamomile are known to be calming and stress relieving, and can potentially promote better sleep. They also smell divine and add that element of luxury to your sleep routine.
There are a few different ways you can use essential oils for your bedtime routine. Spritz a mix of the oils onto your sheets, dab some onto your wrists, or add some drops to your diffuser.
For safety reasons, always make sure to use a carrier oil, since pure concentrations can be too much. As for what diffuser to buy, one with an automatic shut-off feature is recommended. That way, you won’t have anything to worry about as you’re lulled into slumber.
An Eye Mask
One of the oldest tricks for getting some shut-eye is to use an eye mask. Nowadays, there’s a whole range of these products to choose from. While you still have the classic models, which are simply pieces of fabric that block out light as you sleep, there are cooling and even weighted variants on the market, too. So, whether you’re a no-nonsense type or want all the bells and whistles, you’ll definitely find an eye mask that suits your needs perfectly.
When sleep is elusive, it can be a really frustrating experience. With these products, it doesn’t have to be. Give any of the suggestions above a try and see what works for you. With the right combination of items, you’ll be catching some z’s before you know it.
