Photo: Zawezome via flicker Creative Commons CC BY 2.0
You know that not getting enough sleep can affect your alertness, energy, mood and performance. (Just ask your boss on any given Monday.) But you may not know that being sleep deprived can also lead to other, more serious, problems, like decreased ability to fight off illness, and, according to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, lack of sleep can even lead to obesity and diabetes. The 2011 Sleep in America Poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that 43% of us say we rarely or never get a good night’s sleep on weeknights, with 60% of us suffering with problems sleeping almost every night.
If you’re active and athletic, you know how important it is to get a good night’s sleep, especially before a big game or weekend of mountain biking. So, if you’re having trouble getting enough sleep, try these 5 products designed to help you get those much needed Zzz’s.
Zeo Personal Sleep Coach
Think you’re getting enough sleep, but still waking up tired and drained? It may not be the length of time you sleep, but the quality of sleep that’s your problem.
The Zeo Personal Sleep Coach measures and tracks your sleep so you can improve it. Strap on the wireless headband and climb into bed.
All night it reads your brain signals, muscle tone and eye movement. Then it transmits the data to the bedside unit, which records details about your sleep, including: time it took to fall asleep, the number of times you wake during the night, and how long you’re in deep, light and REM sleep.
By linking up the data with myZeo.com, you can also analyze your sleep, and access tips and tricks that’ll help you have a better, more restorative night’s rest. $199 MyZeo.com
SHEEX Performance Sheets
Temperature fluctuations can be a major cause of sleep disruption. SHEEX Performance Sheets with SLEEP•FIT Technology are engineered to keep your entire bed as cool as the other side of the pillow.
The advanced performance athletic fabric used in SHEEX (think your entire bed covered in your favorite stretch work-out shirt), breathes nearly 50 percent better than traditional bedding, and also transfers body heat two times more effectively than cotton, promoting cooler temperatures. And researchers say that’s optimal for better sleep.
Cooler to the touch compared to cotton bedding, SHEEX also have three times the drying power of cotton, and advanced heat and moisture transfer through evaporative cooling — keeping you cool, dry and comfortable all night long. And for some light, before bed, reading, each set of SHEEX Performance Sheets includes a Sleep Fitness Plan from the National Sleep Foundation. Available in Queen and King sheet sets. $199.99 for Queen, $219.99 for King. SHEEX.com
NightFood
Been told late-night snacking before bed is a bad idea? According to studies by the National Institutes of Health, hunger is disruptive to sleep, and a light, pre-bedtime snack my actually may help you fall asleep faster, and stay asleep longer.
But what you snack on plays a big role in how well you’ll sleep. So instead of sugar-laden cookies or leftover fettuccini alfredo, bite into some NightFood.
NightFood is snack-sized bar specifically formulated to help you fall asleep more easily, and get better quality sleep. High in fiber and protein, this 150 calorie bar is surprisingly filling, and provides slow-burning fuel our bodies need while we sleep. It also contains Chocamine, a patented chocolate extract that helps to boost mood and relaxation, and 1.5 mg of melatonin, a popular supplement, taken by millions to help them sleep better. $11.99 for a 6-bar box. NightFood.com
Just Chill Relaxation Beverage
Stress, work, competition, athletic activity (and all those energy drinks you’ve been downing), can cause your mind to race the minute your head hits the pillow, making falling asleep nearly impossible. You can counteract those effects by drinking one of the anti-energy drinks that are becoming more and more popular, like Just Chill.
Their proprietary “chill” blend combines a number of stress-busting and relaxation-inducing ingredients that’ll get you calm and ready for sleep, like: L-Theanine, an amino acid proven to reduce stress; Lemongrass to calm the body, relieving stress and insomnia; Magnesium to ease muscle tension and help reduce the impact of stress; and Ginseng to increase the body’s ability to adapt to stress and balance mood swings. Mix in some all-natural fruit flavors for a light, tropical taste, and you’ve got the perfect blend of science, flavor and relaxation in one 50 calorie can. $48 for a 24-pack. DrinkJustChill.com
Sound Asleep Original Speaker Pillow
Not everyone can fall asleep in perfect silence. Some need a little “white noise” to calm their minds, or block out the sounds of city living. But what happens when you need that white noise or a little music to help you drift off, and your bed partner needs it dead quiet in the room? You can attempt to sleep wearing a pair of Beats by Dr Dre, or pump your sounds through the Sound Asleep Original Speaker Pillow.
Appearing like any other ordinary pillow, the Sound Asleep is equipped with an undetectable speaker hidden deep inside. Connect it to any music or video source through the 3.5 mm stereo jack, and those sweet sounds will lull you off to dreamland.
And you can control the volume, so only you hear your tunes (or audiobook), and they can sleep in silent peace. $24.39 for standard, $40.65 for memory foam. SoundAsleepPillow.co.uk
Tags: Latest Cool Gadgets, Sleep
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