Make falling asleep faster easy with our 8 recommended sleep improvement products.
Health is wealth. Eating well, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly are great habits, but they’re not enough. Many adults struggle after a long day to shut down and fall asleep. If I don’t get at least seven hours a night, my next day is shot. I had a tough time disconnecting from the day’s stressors or watching one too many TV shows. As someone in marketing, I started looking for hacks to fall asleep faster. I’ll try anything legal and safe to get the proper sleep. Instead of hacks, I found several products that naturally improve your ability to fall asleep.
Sufficient sleep is the key to improved mood, regulated heart function, improved mental efficacy, and a stronger immune system. If you want to reap the benefits of a good night’s sleep but struggle with shutting your brain and body down at the end of the day, keep reading. We have the products that may help.
Calm Relaxation App
When people hear the term meditation, they often think it means you have to sit cross-legged in the middle of the room humming or chanting. In reality, you can meditate anytime, anywhere, and it’s a good way to help you fall asleep quickly.
Calm has a section called Sleep Stories to help you get a good night’s rest. Essentially, a throwback to when your parent would pat you on the head, tuck you in, and sing you a lullaby. The Calm App will read you a story. They have fairy tales, non-fiction, and ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response). This is one of my favorite tools to improve my ability to fall asleep.
Sound Machine
I live in New York City, so I can’t sleep if it’s too quiet. I need the hum of traffic or the fan blowing (at exactly 3 speed), or I’ll lie awake for hours. If you relate, a good sound machine can help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and reap the benefits of a good night’s sleep.
I’m trying to save your sleep habits and your wallet. I have two that I like. The Hatch Restore, which is pricey, at $130, and the Portable Dreamegg White Noise Machine, which is so affordable. Only $21! Tons of cool features come with the Hatch Restore, like sunset and sunrise light settings that help you wind down and wake up with a more balanced circadian rhythm. They also have exclusive sounds and content that remind me of the relaxation applications I mentioned earlier. It’s all in one!
Mood Lighting
There are many theories about which light colors are the best for sleeping. Mainly, blue light from your phone and computer screens disrupts your circadian rhythm and can keep you up at night. Put your screens down an hour before you get into bed and switch to a red light – the most calming light color for sleep.
You could splurge and buy The Hatch or replace one of your lamp bulbs with a Twilight Red Bulb that mimics the sunset and blocks blue lights that keep you up. Don’t underestimate the winding down, “setting the mood” part of your evening, and create a relaxing nighttime routine for yourself.
Cooling Blanket
When your body temperature is raised, it can make it difficult to relax and fall asleep at night. Tossing and turning to try and find a cool space in the sheets causes your sleep to be disturbed in the precious REM cycle. Being hot at night causes you to miss out on deeper stages of sleep.
This one is a double hack for the most incredible night’s sleep. Eucalyptus. A lovely essential oil has been known to cure a night of tossing and turning, clear congestion, and even stop snoring. The Buffy Breeze Comforter is a cooling blanket with eucalyptus. If your room doesn’t get below 68 degrees (or your pre-war radiator never shuts off) the blanket has a perfect light yet sleep-inducing weight and is extremely breathable. I found the Buffy Breeze Comforter on Amazon, and it has been a sleeping game-changer.
Weighted Blanket
Inversely, but equally helpful (and cozy!) for a good night’s sleep, try a weighted blanket. Weighted blankets provide comfort and security, help to manage anxiety, and calm the nervous system. I will admit I love nothing more about my bed than my weighted blanket.
Weighted blankets usually weigh between five and 30 pounds, and use deep pressure to relax the nervous system – like a big hug. This relieves pain sensitivity, reduces anxiety, and overall improves sleep quality.
The Yaasa Serenity Knit Weighted Blanket is beautiful and does the job. Stylish enough to snuggle in and drape over your couch, and gives you that deep pressure stimulation that calms the nervous system. Did I mention it was on sale right now?? Thank me later.
Blackout Curtains
Science fact for you. Humans produce a hormone called melatonin that helps regulate our body’s natural circadian rhythm. Melatonin is produced in the dark, so it’s counterintuitive to stare at your phone screen’s blue light right before bed. Putting your phone down and blackout curtains are a good hack for producing melatonin, as they keep any sliver of light from entering your room.
We like the UGG Tessa Blackout Curtains from Bed Bath and Beyond because they’re affordable, aesthetically pleasing, and go with every décor – while still blocking out most light rays for a cave-like darkness in your bedroom. You’ll fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
CBD Gummies
Speaking of melatonin, you can also ingest CBD gummies that sometimes include small dosages of the wonderful sleep hormone. CBD is safe (you won’t be high, don’t worry) and can help your body relax at bedtime. Most contain 0% THC.
Take one of these CBD Softgels with Melatonin and CBN from Joy Organics are made with natural ingredients and specially formulated to help you have an amazing night sleep. CBD gummies are a perfect alternative if you want to feel energized and ready for the day – without harsh chemicals or sleeping pills.
Pillow Spray Sleep Aid
As you can tell, falling asleep quickly and restfully engages all five senses. You truly have to make yourself comfortable and commit to relaxation. Like the eucalyptus in the cooling blanket, hit your pillow with a spritz of this works Deep Pillow Spray. It’s a natural sleep aid, so you can let out that sigh of relief as soon as your head hits the pillow. Smells amazing – I sprayed my entire bed with it.
Sleep is truly a science; better sleep can help you achieve a better immune system. We’ve given you our favorite eight products to help you easily drift into slumber. Stay healthy, improve your mood, and start a routine that will help you fall asleep faster.