Let’s be honest, most of us are probably nowhere near getting the recommended eight hours of shut-eye each night. Between squeezing in various tasks after putting the kids to bed to binging on one too many Netflix shows to having to wake up at the crack of dawn the next morning, it’s all too easy to push sleep down to the bottom of the priority list. And that’s not even considering those who suffer from insomnia.
But to commemorate World Sleep Day, which falls on 18 March, we’ve put together a list of some handy sleep aids to help you snooze better. With these additions, regularly getting a full and solid night’s rest may no longer be a pipe dream.
For a tasty sleep aid, try OLLY Sleep Gummies, which are flavoured with fruity blackberry and zesty fresh mint. Its active ingredients include melatonin, which works with your body’s chemistry to fuel healthy snooze cycles; L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes calmness and can help mellow you out; and soothing botanicals such as chamomile, passionflower and lemon balm. The gummies contain no artificial additives, and are suitable for those following a gluten-free diet.
If you’re particularly sensitive to sounds, then try using the LectroFan EVO Machine to block out pesky background noises. It offers different dynamic variations of white, pink and brown noises, as well as 10 types of fan sounds to mask disruptive noises. Want to drift off while listening to the soundtrack of the ocean? Simply press play and the machine can emit calming surf sounds that are sure to send you off to dreamland in no time.
Given that we harness tracking devices to monitor countless aspects of our wellness journeys, it makes sense to adopt the same approach when it comes to sleeping. The SleepScore app uses just your smartphone microphone and speaker to monitor various aspects of your resting hours. It works by tracking and measuring your breathing rate and body movement, and analyses the data-driven insights to offer personalised suggestions for how to improve your shut-eye.
Not quite ready to invest in blackout curtains, but can’t stay asleep if the sun’s out? A much more affordable alternative to blocking out the light is the practical, comfortable and oh-so-stylish Lunya Silk Sleep Mask. Simply slap it on and you’ll be plunged into complete darkness, even if it’s blindingly bright outside. The machine-washable item comes with an adjustable elastic band and is available in a range of gorgeous colours, including Enamoured Pink, Meditative Grey and Tranquil White.
Switch things up from your usual diffuser set-up with the stylish MUJI Aroma Stone, which achieves a similar result without the need to plug in the device. All you need to do is place a few drops of your favourite, calming essential oils in the small indentation on the stone’s surface (we like chamomile, peppermint, lavender and ylang ylang). The essential oils will seep into the ceramic and evaporate slowly, allowing the fragrance to permeate your entire bedroom.
Weighted blankets are all the rage these days, as they can help combat anxiety for better sleep quality. Homegrown company &Snooze has designed one specifically for Singapore’s tropical climate. It’s made from a cooling Tencel material – rather than the more commonly used cotton or polyester – which is much more suited to hot and humid conditions. It’s also hypoallergenic and breathable, and is available in Slate Grey, Royal Blue, Oatmeal and Flamingo shades.
Rather than find yourself rudely awakened by the shrill ring of your smartphone alarm, you can opt for the HomeLabs Sunrise Alarm Clock. The device emits a warm, gentle light – which gradually increases in brightness – that starts 30 minutes before your alarm (which is itself made up of soothing sounds such as birdsong or the ocean waves). The clock doubles up as a bedside lamp, and includes a sunset simulation that slowly dims the room as you fall asleep.
Sleep meditation has been shown to help improve the quality and efficiency of your shut-eye. To that end, the Headspace app provides a selection of guided meditations (including breathing exercises, visualisations and body-scanning activities) and audio experiences that are geared towards helping you knock off at the end of the day. You’ll also find the likes of podcasts, music and stories – including one narrated by EGOT winner and musician John Legend.
Out of all the sleepytime teas available on the market, this is one of our favourites. The caffeine-free, herbal concoction contains a soothing blend of herbs including lemongrass, chamomile and spearmint to help you mellow out and wind down before bedtime. It has a grassy and pleasant aroma, and goes well with a squirt of honey. Besides this OG version, the brand offers other sleepytime teas in a myriad of flavours, including peach, lavender and vanilla.
Have a partner that snores too much and keeps you awake? Frequently get woken up by external noises such as traffic and your neighbours shuffling about the corridor? Perhaps the Bose Sleepbuds II can help. These wireless earbuds pair with the Bose Sleep app to offer a library of over 50 calming and relaxing tunes – including Bose-engineered noise-masking tracks – to help you fall asleep, while passively blocking out other noises. You can also configure an alarm to make sure that you don’t oversleep.
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- apps
- gadgets
- sleep
- supplements