Top Five Items in your Sleep Toolbox

Sleep is easy for some, but for others it’s a chore to get to dreamland.  Regardless of what type of sleeper you are, there are a handful of basic things that are needed to ensure you maximize your rest.

A quiet place
It’s pretty simple, really.  It’s harder to sleep in a place where there’s a lot of noise.  If your bedroom tends to be less than quiet, there are ways to combat this.  The first, and cheapest, is some simple earplugs.  Another idea is a white noise machine that can mask unwanted sounds with soothing waves or a babbling brook.

A dark place
This is mainly for people who live in bright, city areas or who need to sleep at odd hours. Room darkening shades are invaluable for creating a “cave” in your room, and settling your brain down for a good night’s sleep. For a cheaper solution, pick up a sleep mask.

The right temperature
The best temperature for sleep is a bit cooler than you might want for sitting around and watching TV. Research shows that temperatures above 75 degrees or below 54 degrees can disrupt sleep. For most people, the best setting for your thermostat at night is between 60 and 68 degrees.  Anything more than that, and you could be too hot to sleep well.  Anything less than that could leave you cold.

A place for your devices
As in … a place other than your bedside. Smartphones and tablets are wonderful tools, but their introduction has not been good for our sleep. Between the distractions at night and the blue light they emit, these devices provide a variety of things that will keep us from the rest we need. We realize many people use them as alarm clocks. At minimum, they should be kept silenced and across the room while you sleep. A better solution is to buy an old style alarm clock and keep the devices out of the bedroom entirely.

Proper bedding
The right bedding might be the most important tool you can have for sleep. If you’re not sleeping well, we always recommend a bedding check. Are your sheets the right weight for the temperature in your room? Is your pillow supportive and not too old? We recommend you replace your pillow every 1.5 years. Finally, is your mattress firm, supportive, and big enough? For suggestions on new bedding, check out our Recommended Products page.