If you’ve tried yoga, chamomile tea and
counting sheep and you’re still not sleeping, then the latest technology could
give you a better night’s shut-eye.
1. The sleep monitor
If you sleep fitfully and don’t wake up
refreshed, a revolutionary new tool could help you work out where you’re going
wrong. Sleep researchers are calling the Zeo the most exciting development
they’ve seen in 40 years. In the past, if you’d wanted to find out how long you
spend in light, deep and REM sleep, you’d have had to check into a sleep lab
and have electrodes attached to your head. Now, you can wear a light, fabric
headband that monitors your brain waves as you slumber, and sends a
sleep-quality report back to your smartphone or bedside device, with
suggestions on how to better it. Once you know how much and how well you’re
sleeping, you can track how factors such as caffeine, alcohol, food, exercise
and bedtime affect your readings, and make improvements. Result? A bespoke
recipe for getting to the root of your insomnia.
The Zeo Sleep Manager, from $138,
myzeo.co.uk and amazon.co.uk
2. The performance nightwear
Are you waking up too hot? It’s time to
ditch those tartan flannel pyjamas for a “performance nightdress”. Goodnighties
Recovery Sleepwear is made from patented IonX fabric, which has negative ions
permanently built into its structure. These have been used for decades by elite
athletes to boost wellbeing. Negative ions are said to increase blood flow,
improving oxygen levels in the brain which, in turn, leads to better sleep and
greater alertness on waking. Increased circulation may also help combat aches
and pains. Plus, if you often wake drenched in sweat, the fabric has a wicking
microfiber that promises to keep you cool and dry. If nothing else, they’re
amazingly smooth and comfortable to sleep in.
Goodnighties Recovery Sleepwear, $78,
slumberslumber.com
3. The sleep superfood
Hailed as 2012’s superfood, Montmorency
cherries were shown in a Northumbria University study to significantly improve
quality and duration of sleep. Volunteers who drank 30ml of the juice twice a
day had higher levels of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. They
spent an average 15 minutes longer in bed, gained an extra 25 minutes’ total
sleep and enjoyed a five to six per cent increase in sleep quality. These
results were seen after just a week. Plus, one serving counts towards your five
a day.
CherryActive Concentrate, $23 for 473ml,
cherryactive.co.uk
4. The anti-ageing pillow
It might be referred to as “beauty sleep”,
but sometimes a night in the sack is anything but, as anyone who has woken up
with puffy eyes, bird’s-nest hair and a creased face will attest. But it could
be that your pillow needs a makeover – or at least a new outfit. Apparently,
cotton pillowcases are not only less comfortable to sleep on, but they also
draw moisture from your face (hence those morning creases) and they rough up
your hair cuticles. So make like a celebrity and swap your faithful old cotton
model for a silk version. The Mulberry Silk Pillowcase has a thread count of
400 and a momme grade (used to measure silk density and quality) of 19 – the
highest possible. It feels cool, creamy and silky to sleep on. And if it’s good
enough for A-listers like J-Lo…
Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, $39,
slumberslumber.com
Get a better night’s sleep and wake
refreshed, with fewer aches and pains
5. The snore stopper
If you or your partner are snorers and you
keep each other awake, perhaps you should exchange rings? No, we’re not talking
about getting married. This sterling silver ring, worn on your little finger,
stimulates two acupressure points that are said to help reduce snoring and to
increase your energy flow. Women wear the ring on their left hand, men on their
right, and you slip it on 30 minutes before lights out.
Good Night Anti-snoring Ring, $42,
slumberslumber.com
6. The intelligent mattress
If your bed has seen better days but your
bank balance can’t stretch to a new one, a mattress topper is the next best
thing. Go for memory foam, which is heat sensitive and moulds to your body,
reducing tossing and turning and offering better support for your head, neck
and back. You’ll notice the difference in your comfort levels, get a better
night’s sleep and wake refreshed, with fewer aches and pains.
Memory foam mattress topper, $171 (single)
fine bedding.co.uk, $402 (double) bensonsforbeds.co.uk
7. The relaxing headphones
If you like to listen to music, audiobooks
or perhaps meditation tracks as you drift off, you may find the experience
tainted by uncomfortable headphones or a partner who doesn’t like noise.
SleepPhones are tiny, slim speakers hidden in a soft, fleecy headband. Simply
position them over your ears for your personal listening pleasure. They muffle
external noise, making them ideal for shift workers, or to wear when travelling
(they double up as an eye mask). And once you get used to wearing headgear to
sleep, you’ll love the fact your earphones don’t fall out.
SleepPhones, $57, relax-uk.com
