Devices That Can Help You Fall Asleep Fast
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We're all familiar with this bed time routine: you like a photo which leads to a video, which makes you think of a YouTube conspiracy theory, and now it's 3 a.m. Compulsive scrolling is only a byproduct of algorithms that know exactly what you want to see. But that temporary hit of dopamine may be affecting your sleep and overall health a lot more than you realize. Blue light from your screens can suppress melatonin, a hormone responsible for regulating your circadian rhythm, while also delaying REM sleep, per the Cleveland Clinic.
Poor sleep quality can impair focus and make you feel tired the next day. But in the long run, it's been linked with high blood pressure, diabetes and strokes, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Per CDC, a third of U.S. adults report poor sleep — so it may be time to reevaluate how you tuck yourself in.
With technology so closely tied to sleepless nights, it may seem counterintuitive to get more technology to help you sleep. But these gadgets have zero blue light, no videos to scroll through, and will definitely make for better bed companions than your phone.
Put these gadgets on your nightstand instead
If you live in a loud neighborhood (or have loud neighbors), you may want to invest in a white noise machine. White noise has been linked with quicker sleep onset for many, where different frequencies are played in the same intensity, per Sleep Foundation. As noted by NBC, the LectroFan EVO from Amazon is $45 and has 4.7 stars from 12,000 reviewers. The Hatch Restore Sound Machine ($130) is also a great alternative for natural sounds (waterfalls, crickets) and can help you fall asleep in stages, per the Stamford Advocate. The sound machine also has guided meditations to listen to, so if that's your thing, you may want to invest in a MUSE S headband ($279). The headband monitors your heart rate, breathing and more — while a premium subscription gives you access to over 500 guided mediations, the Advocate notes.
But sometimes, the urge to play a game or engage your brain comes crawling back. Dodow ($60), a device that projects a faint bit of light, lulls you to sleep while it expands and contracts — like your breathing. You may also want to consider temperature; research has linked colder temperatures to better sleep. The BedJet ($450) blasts air inside your sheets to keep you comfortable in shut-eye mode.