Think you’ve tried everything there is out there to get a better night’s sleep? Think again—with new research and new products landing almost daily, you never know which snooze inducing bedroom buy might be the one that gets you waking up bright eyed and bushy tailed every morning.
Lucky for you and your snooze button, sleep expert Olivia Arezzolo has gone and done all the research for you, and hunted down the latest and greatest buys out there which might just see you having the best night’s sleep of your life. And in case you were about to ask, no, you don’t have to choose between them—try one or try them all, just thank us later when you wake up feeling like a million dollars.
Aroma Snooze
It’s time to switch to a red night light for those evening bathroom visits: academic studies report that just five minutes of bright light exposure (such as when you use the bathroom) five days in a row can disrupt circadian rhythm by up to 2.3 hours, side effects of which have been found to include insulin resistance, high blood glucose levels and weight gain. The real draw of the Aroma Snooze sleep aid, however, is the diffuser with an accompanying essential oil blend of sleep enhancing oils such as lavender and sweet orange. We’re feeling sleepier already.
Calming Blankets
Calming Blankets assist in your ability to fall asleep, minimise tossing and turning and enhance morning alertness—at least according to some studies. Similar to a massage, the tactile stimulation soothes the body, with researchers applauding their “innovative, non-pharmalogical capacity to improve sleep quality”. We recommend Calming Blankets, who use eco-friendly glass beads rather than plastic.
A GABA Enhancing Sleep Supplement
Move over magnesium—you’re old news. Taking its place is Medlab’s Mg Optima Relax; alongside tried and trusted magnesium, it features glutamine, Vitamin B6 and Zinc, which collectively boost the synthesis of anti-anxiety hormone GABA. Researchers pinpoint GABA as a gentle sedative for the mind, perfect for those struggling to switch off. Furthermore, GABA has been linked to slow wave sleep: optimising pre-frontal cortex functions of mental clarity, decision making and even time management. Finally, slow wave sleep has also been pinpointed as necessary for memory—without it, neurotoxin beta-amyloid builds up and increases the risk of Alzheimer‘s disease.
100% Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Studies show that evening blue light, emitted from phones, laptops and TV, can delay sleepiness hormone melatonin by up to 90 minutes—that’s a harsh sleep penalty for watching a quick YouTube video in bed. As a result of this, stress hormone cortisol levels can rise, and you might start to feel anxious, wired and tense, with further research correlating an increase in cortisol with depression and impaired cognitive performance. Reducing exposure to this light spectrum without having to give up your late night Netflix session is possible—just grab yourself a pair of BluBlox 100% blue light blocking glasses.
Sleepy Jo
Journaling is well publicized to aid sleep, but have you ever seen a journal that provides you with guidance—based upon academic research into problematic sleep—about what to write? Not until Sleepy Jo. According to some studies, writing to do lists rather than completed activities sees you fall asleep faster. Gratitude can also help: recalling positive experiences in the evening improves sleep quality, duration and daytime functioning collectively.
Need more tips? Do these 4 things for a better night's sleep.
Image credit: Şahin Yeşilyaprak