According to the CDC, about 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems. That’s 70 million of us tossing and turning at night! And we all know how we feel when we haven’t slept well — we can’t focus, we’re less productive, and we’re more prone to stress and shorter tempers. Never mind the long-term effects.
Sleep Awareness Week is March 13-19 this year – perfect timing for Daylight Saving (groan) – so I thought that I would share some products that I’ve found to be helpful with my own sleep issues. Some are even on sale!
Miss A Official Key Items 3D Eye Contour Sleeping Mask ($1)
This comfortable eye mask will block out the light from your partner’s reading lamp or the early morning sunlight. The 3D contour shape and silky material ensure comfort all night long. Available in 3 colors and it’s only $1!!
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Casper Snoozewear Sleep Mask ($49)
If you need to block out light and sound, I’d recommend this sleep mask from sleep brand, Casper. The mask is made of soft, breathable materials, which comfortably cradle the head and face while you rest. The band is wide and pressure-free, so it won’t crease your hair.
Sleepys Reactex Pillow ($44 and up at Mattressfirm.com*)
If you run hot while you sleep, this down alternative pillow is tested to sleep 40 times cooler than any other pillow without REACTEX® technology. It has pressure-activated cooling that pulls heat away from your sleeping surface in seconds and it’s available in low, medium, or high profiles so there’s an option for every sleeper. I’ve been using this pillow for months and I love it so much that I take it with me when I travel.
Molecule Pillow Shams ($69 and up. 25 percent off with code SHEETS25)
What covers your pillow is important as well and these soft, eco-friendly shams feel so silky and cool on the skin that it’s like staying at a luxury hotel. And for fussy sleepers, Molecule also has their Infinity Pro Adjustable Foam Pillow, which is customizable. You can easily remove foam from the pillow so it’s juuuuust right.
The Saatva Organic Sateen Sheet Set ($145 and up. Select sizes 25 percent off)
Good sheets are essential to a good nights’ sleep. I received a set of these as a holiday gift from the brand and they have become a favorite because they are so cool and comfortable. The 300-thread count sheets are designed for temperature regulation for hot sleepers, cold sleepers, and everyone in between. Available in White, Ivory, and Grey.
Morphée ($99)
A common culprit of sleep issues is the blue light that emits from your phone or tablet, so many experts suggest removing yourself from the screen well before bedtime. This screen-free sleep aid, which looks like a magical music box from Harry Potter, has more than 200 different options for auditory relaxation practices, including guided meditations and breathing exercises. There’s even a headphone port so you won’t disturb your partner while you listen. They have a cute kid’s version if you have restless little ones.
Luxome’s Cooling Weighted Blanket ($105 and up)
You’ve probably heard by now that weighted blankets can be very helpful in encouraging deep, consistent sleep. The Cooling Weighted Blanket from Luxome features 300CT Bamboo Lyocell, which is naturally moisture-wicking and cooling. The blankets are fuzzy, soft, and available in a variety of colors, sizes, and weights. They can also be purchased with an integrated cover or a removable, washable cover. I really like the integrated cover, which you can throw in the laundry as long as it’s 15lbs or under.
NEOM Organics Perfect Night’s Sleep Magnesium Body Butter ($41)
A self-care ritual like applying body moisturizer can be very calming before bed. This body butter contains calming magnesium, along with shea butter, grapeseed oil, and coconut oil to nourish dry skin. It’s also scented with NEOM’s Perfect Night’s Sleep fragrance, and it smells heavenly. I also like their Perfect Night’s Sleep Intensive Skin Treatment Candle, which sets the mood for sleep, and once you blow it out, you can massage the nourishing oils onto the skin.
Take Care Wellness Pillow Spray Sampler ($30)
These small-batch essential oil pillow sprays are designed to provide a calming environment as you set the stage for bedtime. The set of six portable glass bottles contains scents like Jasmine + Clary Sage, Ylang Ylang + Frankincense, and Chamomile + Vetiver, so you can experiment to find your favorite, and take one with you when you travel.
Starling Skincare Sleep Wellness Gift Set ($59. On sale for $35)
This set is a lovely ritual to help you wind down for the night. It contains the Good Night Tea with valerian, passionflower, and chamomile to sip before bed, the Epsom salt Arnica Bath Soak for a soothing bath, and Sleep Balm, which is a salve packed with soothing essential oils for massaging the temples and pulse points.
myAir ($40 for 20 bars with the sign-up discount)
These plant-based, vegan, and gluten-free bars are formulated to help combat stress using adaptogens and super plants. The Sleepy Gray+ 100-calorie bars are ideal as a dessert replacement after dinner and have been clinically proven to help encourage deep restorative sleep.
Sleep & Relax Herbal Tea ($5.99 for 16 tea bags)
The ritual of a cup of hot tea at night is already relaxing, and this blend of passionflower, lemon balm, and chamomile will help put you in the perfect frame of mind for getting some quality zzzz’s.
HUM Nutrition Mighty Night ($40)
Did you know that sleep is the best time for skin repair? This supplement contains valerian, passionflower, and hops to help you sleep better, and ceramides, CoQ10, and ferulic acid to aid cell renewal and hydration for skin and body while you sleep.
The Good Patch Nite Nite Patch($32 for 8)
If you’d rather not ingest something before bed, these skin patches are infused with 15mg premium organic Hemp Extract and 3mg Melatonin and offer sustained release over 8-12 hours (just remove the patch when you wake). If you’d prefer no hemp, they also have the Dream Patch, which contains melatonin, hops, and valerian root.
Elixinol Sleep Gummies ($29.99)
These berry-flavored, vegan gummies are a sweet treat before bedtime, and they are packed with 15mg CBD and 2mg CBN to promote relaxation. I find the blend of CBD and CBN (both from the Cannabis plant but free of THC) to be a particularly powerful weapon against sleeplessness. The brand also makes a yummy Rapid Rest tincture, which is a blend of CBD, CBN as well as chamomile & lemon balm that uses advanced liposomal technology for easy absorption.
Aprico Sleep Easy Drops ($44.99)
Melatonin is known to be a very effective remedy for sleeplessness, and this vegan tincture contains a blend of melatonin, fast-acting hemp, GABA, lavender, and other soothing botanicals to encourage deep, restful sleep. Free of allergens, gluten, and dairy.
Solaray Sleep Blend SP-17 ($11.19)
If you really just need to calm your mind before bed, try this proprietary non-GMO, vegan, and lab-verified blend of valerian, passionflower, dandelion, and chamomile. The compounds and phytochemicals in these capsules help to encourage relaxation.
*I work with MattressFirm
This article originally appeared on TrueTrae.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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Medicinal mushrooms could help you sleep better. Here’s how
Medicinal mushrooms are all the rage right now and for good reason, as they’re tied to a whole host of health benefits. Used in Eastern medicine for thousands of years, these fungi have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years in the United States and are even popping up in the form of trendy coffees and lattes.
Health boosts from medicinal mushrooms, also sometimes called functional mushrooms, include reducing stress and anxiety, improving memory and cognition, and supporting the immune system.
There’s also some evidence that medicinal mushrooms can help you get a better night’s sleep. Here, we break down the benefits of medicinal mushrooms and how you can incorporate them into your routine.
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Reishi is a type of medicinal mushroom that has been shown to ease stress and anxiety and promote sleep. The secret lies in its calming properties. Reishi mushrooms contain the compound triterpene, which is often described as anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antimicrobial.
While traditional Chinese medicine has used reishi mushrooms to treat general restlessness and insomnia for centuries, there is some recent scientific evidence that lends more weight to these claims.
A study in rats found supplementation of reishi mushrooms was linked with a decrease in sleep latency (the amount of time it takes to fall asleep) and an increase in total sleep time.
Other research suggests reishi mushrooms may also have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory benefits, promote wound healing and protect the skin from the effects of aging.
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Other types of mushrooms also come with a host of health benefits. Lion’s mane, for example, has been shown to improve cognition and memory, as well as ease depression and anxiety.
If you’re looking for an energy boost, particularly for your workouts, cordyceps may be for you. Research studies have shown these fungi help boost aerobic exercise performance and enhance physical stamina.
Chaga mushrooms, meanwhile, are known for their antioxidant properties. These mushrooms may help fight inflammation, lower LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol, and support the immune system.
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You may be wondering exactly how you can include medicinal mushrooms in your routine to reap the sleep and health benefits. The first thing to know is that these mushrooms aren’t meant to be eaten raw or whole. Rather, they can be taken in supplemental form. (Always speak to your doctor first before adding a new supplement to your routine.)
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Perhaps the most popular way to get your fix of functional mushrooms is to add the supplement to your tea or coffee, but mushroom extracts can be mixed into any food, drink or smoothie recipe. However, you’ll want to pay close attention to the labels on the product packaging.
“First and foremost, as with all functional mushrooms, consumers will want to scrutinize the products they purchase while understanding the difference between powders and extracts,” explains Jill Portman, co-founder of Good Pharma.
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Products that use ground mushroom powder, in lieu of an extract, provide the least health benefits, she says. Portman suggests looking for highly concentrated extracts when choosing medicinal mushroom products.
Good Pharma, for instance, offers easy-to-use pour-over infuser bags containing highly concentrated blends of functional mushrooms woven into their coffee and tea.
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The company also uses a traditional Chinese medicinal herb called Suan zao ren in their tea that has sleep and relaxation benefits.
“Chinese medical texts teach us that suan zao ren has the effect of nourishing blood and calming nerves, regulating qi, and benefiting the heart and liver,” says Ann Wang, doctor of Chinese medicine, licensed acupuncturist, and member of Good Pharma’s advisory board. “The suan zao ren formula was recorded in the first herbal prescription for insomnia thousands of years ago and is still used today.”
Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
To get more info on sleep-promoting ingredients, check out our article on the best herbs for sleep.
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originally appeared on Saatva.com and was
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