As strange as it seems, sleep does not come naturally to most people. There are more than 80 sleep disorders recorded in the medical field. Studies indicate that about 25 percent of Americans experience acute insomnia, which is the most common sleep disorder. Thankfully, with the right and timely interventions, the recovery rate is high as over 75 percent recover without developing chronic insomnia.
Many companies and entities worldwide are actively looking for secrets to make individuals sleep better, faster, and longer. Consumer reports suggest that in 2015, Americans spend about 41 billion on sleeping aids and remedies. The cost of a good night’s sleep can be steep. Unfortunately, not all these things work.
Read more for some bedroom products and aids that can help you get a better night’s sleep.
1. Blackout Curtains
Natural light has immense benefits but can interfere with your sleep. Blackout curtains are among the many sleep aids in the market to help you improve your sleep and rest. These work by blocking the warm light for individuals who like to sleep in.
A conducive sleep environment should be as dark as possible. City and street lights can shine through your windows and bring light to your space when that is the last thing you want. These curtains are also helpful during summer when the day starts earlier than you are willing to get up. People living in urban areas have to contend with loud neighbors and noise from traffic, among other noisy activities. Blackout curtains block over 99% of light and reduce unnecessary noise considerably, making your night restful.
2. Temperature Regulating Sheets
A conducive room temperature is another requirement for quality sleep that gives you better rest. But people are different, and it is common to find “thermally incompatible” couples. In this case, setting a room temperature will not work for both.
Temperature regulating sheets, using outlast fabric technology, were developed for NASA to help regulate temperature fluctuations in space. This is the ultimate solution for thermally incompatible couples. The sheets use a technique called “phase change” fabric, which absorbs excess heat from your body when you are too hot, then releases it back when temperatures drop. This way, you will enjoy a consistent temperature all night.
These sheets set also work best for frequent travelers who move across regions and sleep through different and extreme climatic changes. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the best temperature regulating sheet should contain 200-400 thread counts to allow air movement.
3. Comfortable Sleep Gear
When seeking to improve the quality of your sleep, think about your sleeping gear. Many people keep their old clothes as nightdresses, no wonder the increase in sleepless nights. Investing in quality pajamas is one way to ensure you sleep better.
The Snoozzze Box has an exceptionally comfortable and stylish pajamas that give the wearer a good night’s sleep. The package consists of self-care products that help to improve your rest. Since personal preference is just that, you get various styles and colors to suit your taste and the time of the year. Sleeping in comfort is of utmost importance, and comfortable pajamas guarantee a sense of calmness and tranquility. You can subscribe and receive your package bi-monthly to ensure a seamless supply.
4. Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets use a technique called (DTP) deep touch pressure therapy. Pressure applied to the body may increase the release of a chemical called serotonin in the brain. The neurotransmitter, also called the happy chemical, creates a sense of well-being, promoting a good night’s sleep and promoting better rest at night.
Therapeutic blankets weigh about 5-30 pounds and use the ‘hand on the pressure’ technique to relax the nervous system. People with anxiety and depression have recorded impressive improvement when using therapeutic blankets. The products have also helped in pain relief and have significantly improved the moods of users when sleeping.
In a study, researchers investigated weighted blankets’ effectiveness in children with autism and recorded improved sleep scores. The blanket is now popular among parents and children with autism.
5. Blue Light Glasses
Technology has become a part of our daily lives, and there is no way of going back. Unfortunately, these devices emit blue rays that set the brain on active mode and suppress sleep. Computers, phones, and television sets are some of the apparatus with blue ray lights. Since technology is inevitable, you have to find a way of going through it.
Ideally, it would help if you put away your phone and avoid computers and TV’s one hour before bedtime. Blue light sunglasses help block the light from the devices for the people who work late or want to enjoy a movie or two before bedtime. The glasses suppress melatonin by reducing blue light exposure, which is the natural hormone that assists in sleep. It works by filtering the (HEV) high energy visible blue-violet that comes from backlit screens. This is a crucial product to keep near your bed. Anytime you need to check your phone when in bed or get sucked late into the night, slip those glasses on.
6. Soothing Drinks
Tart cherry juice, chamomile tea, and warm milk are some of the soothing drinks that help give people a good night’s sleep. While there is little scientific proof that the drinks improve your sleep, there is no harm in trying.
Milk is associated with chemicals that simulate the effects of tryptophan on the brain. This chemical building block is involved in the sleep-wake transition. Chamomile tea is also believed to have flavonoids involved with the sleep-wake transition after interacting with benzodiazepine receptors.
In Conclusion
Many people with sleep disorders have turned to use sleeping pills to get a good night’s rest. The medicines have side effects like drug abuse that can occur from misuse. Using natural products and aids is the best approach as it has minimal side effects. In some cases, simple habits and lifestyle adjustments will improve your rest. The above steps will help you sleep better and make you a more productive person.