Photo 2/8
Lights Out
If you're so sensitive to light that even the soft glow of street lights from outside makes it difficult to take your nightly trip to Slumbertown, it's time to change how you sleep. For some people, even subtle flashes of light are enough to disrupt sleep in some people. The reason? Light can send a signal through the retina of your eyes to tell the brain it's daytime, causing your internal clock to reset.
Sound like you? Then, investing in a sleep mask is an obvious choice for enhancing your sleep quality. This one is 100 percent pure silk, it has sleep-inducing benefits, as well as anti-aging perks, since you won't have a cotton pillow case creasing your skin or tugging at your delicate eye area overnight.
Buy Now
Photo 3/8
Stop and Smell the Lavender
You might think your sense of hearing or touch might be the biggest players in your ability to catch some zzz's, but scent may have an even bigger effect on whether or not you're able to settle into a sound sleep. Studies have shown that 71 percent of Americans feel they were able to get a more comfortable night's sleep on sheets that had a fresh scent. What does that mean for those of us whose sheets smell like, well, nothing? It might be time to add a sweet-smelling fragrance to our pillowcases.
This mist is clinically proven to restore your natural sleep pattern, which the brand claims makes it an effective alternative to sleep medication. If that sounds like an overpromise, think again. The lavender oil found within the formula helps stimulate alpha waves in the part of your brain that induces relaxation, which is pretty much the only section of your brain you want fired up before bed.
Buy Now
Photo 4/8
Bedtime Balm
Massaging your temples before going to sleep may relieve tension headaches and improve circulation; however, massaging your temples with this lavender scented sleep balm brings the nighttime ritual to another level. The product, which is touted for its ability to "stop the mind chatter," contains soporific lavender, along with mind-clearing rosemary oil, refreshing balsam fir oil and uplifting bergamot.
Buy Now
Photo 5/8
Sweet Dreams
As if you need another reason to surround yourself with sweet-smelling products before bed, here it is. One study recently found that being around positive smells while you sleep could influence whether you have a pleasurable dream or a nightmare. Pleasant odors evoked positive dreams, while the opposite was true for unpalatable scents. So, in addition to acting as a natural sedative, the scent of essential oils in this formula may also induce positive dreams. Talk about a win-win.
Buy Now
Photo 6/8
Silent Night
No surprise here, but the main ingredient in this balm is, again, lavender. Most sleep aids swear by this agent to subdue anxiety, and for good reason. It's been speculated that the scent of lavender may have the ability to slow down the nervous system, giving you a calm sensation all throughout your body -- not just your mind.
Buy Now
