Whether you're a natural night owl or a genuine morning person, virtually everyone finds themselves staring at the clock, struggling to get enough quality sleep at one point or another. And while getting enough exercise, skipping those late-afternoon Red Eyes, and turning off the TV before bed can help, many people still find themselves struggling to get to sleep—and stay asleep—all night. With that in mind, we've rounded up the best sleep essentials to make sure you'll start each day feeling refreshed. And if you're looking to improve your sleep habits overall, check out these 25 Things You're Doing That Would Horrify Sleep Doctors.
Best Life's editors have scoured the internet to bring you the best products out there, and we're hoping you'll love them as much as we do. Full disclosure: we may earn a commission for anything you purchase through links on this page, but that doesn't mean you'll pay more for them (we'd never do that to you!). Pricing and availability are accurate as of the piece's initial publication date, but it's the internet and we can't guarantee that these sweet, sweet deals will last forever, so scoop them up before someone else does!
Those first rays of sunshine might be great to wake up to, but those motion-activated security lights your neighbor installed beaming through your window is definitely not the way you want to be roused out of your slumber. These blackout curtains not only eliminate light pollution—a major factor in many folks' sleepless nights—but they're also as easy to install as switching out your current set. Bonus: Since they're keeping the sun from getting in, these curtains can also help keep any room cooler all day long, as well as reducing the chance your furniture or flooring will fade. And for more easy ways to spruce up around the house, check out these 23 Genius Home Improvement Projects You Can Do in an Hour (or Less!).
Pre-bedtime rituals can play a huge part in setting yourself up for successful slumber. This body spray combines pure magnesium chloride with lavender and arnica oil to promote a calming and restful sleep.
Improving the air quality in your bedroom can mean the difference between a restful sleep and sniffling and sneezing all night long. This smartphone-controlled humidifier also acts as an aroma diffuser and silent air purifier, which can help reduce stress and combat allergies morning, day, and night.
Guided meditations are great for falling asleep. But stumbling around in the dark for headphones and firing up a relaxation app at 2 a.m. to get things going? Not so much. This lamp will help you soundlessly control your breathing with soft pulses of light that will eventually lull you to sleep.
Whether it's part of your lazy self-care Sunday or a stress-reducing way to help you fall asleep, weighted blankets have become popular for a reason. Lie down under one of these to feel hugged, secure, and relaxed all night long. And for more easy ways to bliss out, check out these 27 Relaxation Gifts You'll Want to Keep for Yourself.
$130 and up at Bed Bath & Beyond
Buy Now
You may not be able to stop your neighbor's dog from barking at every single car that passes at night, but with these super-effective earplugs, you won't have to.
Some of the better sleep essentials on the market are simple and nature-based. This pillow spray is made with lavender and chamomile, which promote a healthy sleep cycle and help to reduce stress and insomnia.
Even if they work in the moment, traditional medicinal-strength sleeping pills can leave you feeling groggy and dazed the following morning. These gummies rely on natural botanicals and melatonin to help you fall asleep without the after-effects.
White noise machines are popular for parents with newborn babies for a reason: They work incredibly well! This machine comes with multiple settings to help you drown out any outdoor noise and create a peaceful, sleepy ambiance.
Eye masks are great for promoting sleep, and so are weighted blankets. But what if you combine the two to create a noise-reducing, light-eliminating sleep aid? Then it would probably look a lot like the Sleep Crown, which brings them all together in one product.
The only thing better than a tool that helps you fall asleep is one that also helps you wake up the morning after. These all-natural patches use melatonin, hops, and valerian root to get you cozy at night and B12, B1, caffeine, and green tea extract to help keep you going through the day. And if you're looking for more mid-afternoon pick-me-ups, check out The 25 Best Gifts for Coffee Lovers.
Closing your eyes to go to sleep at night heightens your sense of smell, which means aromatherapy can be an important tool in your fight against insomnia. This diffuser is compact enough to fit on a bedside table or dresser, but can still store up to two bottles of essential oils at a time.
Your brand new diffuser may look pretty, but it's only as useful as the scents you put in it! This blend contains over seven sleep-inducing ingredients, including lavender, tangerine oil, bergamot, cypress oil, frankincense, and chamomile.
The more information you have on how you sleep, the easier it is to address any problems you may have. Using the app included with this below-mattress sleep pad can help figure out what's disturbing your slumber, including snoring and noise disturbances, and can help coach you towards more restful nights. And if you're in the market for more gadgets to make your life easier, check out these 23 Awesome Tech Gifts You Must Have.
Traditional eye masks are great for blocking light, but pressure right up against your eyes and eyelashes can make them a hard sell for sensitive sleepers. This lightweight mask acts as a personal set of blackout curtains with contoured cups that rise above the eyes, allowing for more comfortable mid-sleep eye movements—perfect for getting some rest when you're on a flight. And if you're looking for more products that make getting around that much easier, check out these 25 Must-Pack Summer Travel Essentials Under $25.
Side sleepers rejoice! This comfortable pillow can help you fall asleep in your favorite position without having to worry about that dreaded pins-and-needles wake-up at some point in the night.
Setting a cooler overnight room temperature is one of the easiest ways to help promote better sleep, but this can be tricky if you're a hot sleeper and your partner isn't. This compact personal air conditioner can fit comfortably on your bedside table—and, better yet, can help avoid any bedtime thermostat arguments.
Using a guided meditation app to fall asleep can be incredibly effective, but waking up to a set of missing earbuds kind of negates the purpose. These soft headband headphones will stay comfortably secure in place, whether you're listening to mellow music or a calming mantra.
Even if aromatherapy or meditation apps aren't your cup of tea for sleep prep, this ethically wildcrafted herbal blend just might be.
Rising with the sun is a great way to use your body's natural rhythm to wake up feeling refreshed, but not every bedroom is a light-flooded paradise. Luckily, this lamp can replicate the sunrise to help rouse you the right way. Besides, if this can replace your phone as your alarm and get it off your nightstand, you're bound to sleep a lot more! And if you're looking to wake up completely au naturel, check out How to Wake Yourself Up Without an Alarm Clock.
To discover more amazing secrets about living your best life, click here to follow us on Instagram!
ncG1vNJzZmialajBrbXFnqanpJmjsm%2BvzqZmm52kqbKzedKlnJ6oXZrAtLHNraCapKNk