In a 2016 survey, the Center for Disease Control found that over a third of Americans aren’t getting enough sleep. So, if you’re struggling every night, you’re not alone, and there are a variety of factors that might be influencing your sleep patterns. Stress, outside distractions, an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise are some of the most common reasons.
Perhaps more prevalent is the use of technology before bed. Looking at a screen is known to keep you awake, thus leading to the advent of blue light filters in modern displays. However, some technology can have the opposite effect, helping you get some much-needed shuteye.
Dreem Headband
Using EEG sensors, this headband tracks your sleep quality by analyzing metrics such as your heart rate, brain activity and breathing patterns. There’s also an active audio feature that uses a conductor system to better induce sleep. The data obtained from the sensors can then be viewed via the Dreem app on your iOS or Android (News - Alert) device.
Eight Pod Mattress
While its starting price of around $1,995 is sure to make some insomniacs’ mouths water, the Eight Sleep Pod undoubtedly takes mattresses to a whole new level. Aside from its extremely comfortable four-layer foam blend, the Pod is capable of dynamically adjusting its temperature to create the most comfortable possible sleeping environment.
The Pod will also put your alarm clock to shame by waking you up gradually and naturally with a change of temperature. The unique material on the mattress is designed to relieve pressure points and support all kinds of body types. Of course, it also has an app where you can analyze sleep patterns, as well as accessing a variety of sleep-related content.
SomniFix Mouth Strips
Did you know that breathing through your mouth is detrimental to your quality of sleep? Not to mention the snoring that your spouse may not be too happy with. These SominiFix mouth strips aim to promote nose breathing, thus providing you with better quality sleep. As detailed on their website, they are safe and effective for all types of sleepers.
DreamOn Sleep
The DreamOn works to induce sleep by using low-frequency pulses that match those that your brain naturally produces when falling asleep. This physically calms your body, helping you fall asleep faster and stay in deep sleep for longer. It’s a small, simple gadget that you can strap to your wrist or wrap around your ankle.
Beddit Sleep Monitor
For those who love data and analytics, the Beddit sleep monitor offers just about everything you need to know about how you spend your time in bed. This includes sleep quality and quantity, heart rate, breaths per minute and metrics about your environment, such as room temperature and humidity.
The device can be hidden under your bed sheet after being hooked up to a standard USB power source. It even works for two people at once and is only 2mm thin, making it completely unnoticeable. Aside from providing sleep metrics, the included Beddit app will also teach you how to improve your sleep and set goals with guidance to achieving them.
White Noise Machine
Certain noise “colors” such as white, brown and pink noise are known to induce sleep and drown out surrounding sounds. With a white noise machine, you can set it to a volume level of your choosing for certain time periods in 30 minute or hourly increments. You can also have it run all night to ensure that other noises don’t wake you up.
These gadgets can go a long way in helping you sleep better and understand what goes on when you close your eyes. That said, never forget the importance of a healthy lifestyle, as this ultimately influences your sleep the most.
