Sleep Trackers: There are a number of these devices available, ranging from those that record how much you sleep to how much time you spend in each sleep stage. They are typically worn around the wrist, but it can be difficult to know if they provide accurate or useful information.
These devices record periods of wakefulness and sleep based on movement. Therefore, if you stay relatively still during sleep and are active during the day, you’re more likely to get an accurate reading. If you move around a lot during sleep, the information will be skewed.
White Noise Machines: White noise machines can be useful for people who have to put up with background noise during sleep. They provide constant sound that some may find soothing.
Light-Emitting Alarms: Alarms that gradually increase the light in a room to mimic sunrise can help people wake up naturally and feel more energized during the day. They may help improve your body’s internal clock, as well.
Weighted Blankets: Weighted blankets are reported to help tame symptoms of people with restless leg syndrome. This condition causes unpleasant/uncomfortable sensations in the legs, leading to an irresistible urge to move them.
There are other natural ways to improve sleep that don’t require making any purchases. These include:
- Dimming the lights while getting ready for bed.
- Turning off the TV/Computer and putting the smartphone/tablet away
- Maintaining a calm, cool, quiet environment that encourages relaxation
For many, getting better sleep, or falling asleep faster, means doing something more relaxing before bedtime. It can be hard to shut the brain off about upcoming events or what happened that day, but anything that can help you disconnect is likely to improve sleep.
If you’ve tried these suggestions and good quality restful sleep is still a challenge, try speaking to an expert for help.