I’m the Sleep Geek and here’s my verdict on 7 gadgets that will actually help you drift off fast
IN the middle of the night as you toss and turn, you might be happy to pay a silly amount of money to nod off.
It explains why there are so many sleep aids being sold that claim they can help. But are they worth the cash?
James Wilson, “The Sleep Geek” (thesleepgeek.co.uk), says: “It seems like every week there’s a new sleep aid launched, many costing a pretty penny. But affordable options can work just as well.”
James gives Lynsey Hope his verdict on some bestsellers, rating them out of ten.
THIS WORKS DEEP PILLOW SPRAY, £18.34, amazon.co.uk
THE CLAIM: Spritzed on your pillow, this aromatherapeutic blend of lavender, vetivert and camomile can help calm the mind and body, reducing sleep anxiety.
James says: “A reassuring smell can give us a sense of emotional security and when we feel secure, we relax, our heart rate drops and our body is ready for sleep. You could also use your partner’s perfume or aftershave.”
Rating: 7/10.
DODOW SLEEP AID, £49.90, mydodow.com
THE CLAIM: This device projects blue light onto the ceiling for you to synchronise your breathing with it. You breathe in when it expands and out when it retracts, helping you drop off in eight minutes.
James says: “This is based on solid foundations, slowing our breathing and heart rate and preparing the body for sleep. The light gives a visual representation of how to breathe, but it could annoy your bedmate. Alternatively, try the Headspace app.”
Rating: 8/10.
MANTA SLEEP MASK, £39, mantasleep.uk
THE CLAIM: This blackout sleeping mask gently moulds to your face without putting any pressure on your eyes.
James says: “Light can disrupt our sleep and I always advise people to take an eye mask when they travel. This one takes into account people with long eyelashes (like me) by giving them space to flutter.”
Rating: 8/10.
MELA WEIGHTED BLANKET, £89, aeyla.co.uk
THE CLAIM: Weighted blanket made using “anti-rustle quartz pellets” which move silently and mould to your body to ease tension and stress.
James says: “For some people weighted blankets seem to work really well but when they don’t work, they really don’t work. Do you like to be tucked into your covers with the duvet tight around you? If so, a weighted blanket might be for you. If you untuck all the bedding in a hotel, it might not.”
Rating: 8/10.
BEURER DREAM SOUND THERAPY SLEEP AID SL15, £29.99, Holland & Barrett
THE CLAIM: A white noise machine that plays four sounds to help you sleep: a hairdryer, the ocean, a summer’s day or a harmonic melody.
James says: “Sound definitely helps us fall asleep, your hearing is important to being relaxed as it’s the last sense to switch off and the first to switch on when we wake. This is massively helpful in relaxing you either before bed or if you wake in the night.
“I’d like a setting that allows you to leave it on all night as sound disappearing at the wrong part of your sleep cycle is likely to wake you up.”
Rating: 6/10.
LES MIREACULEUX SLEEP GUMMIES, £18.40 for 42 , lesmiraculeux.co.uk
THE CLAIM: Apparently just one gummy will help you fall asleep faster and sleep better and after three weeks, your sleep cycles will be better regulated and you’ll wake up less in the night.
James says: “Some interesting claims but no evidence to prove they will help you fall asleep faster and realign sleep cycles. Claims to include melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the body clock, but we have a free source of that, the sun, which helps if we are exposed early in the day. May be worth giving them a go, but don’t expect miracles.”
Rating: 6/10.
SOUNDASLEEP SPEAKER PILLOW, £29.99, amazon.co.uk
THE CLAIM: Pillow has speakers inside which allows you to play music, audiobooks or sounds pillow without the need for earphones, which won’t disturb your partner.
James says: “The problem with a pillow where the speakers are built in is the pillow itself might not be right for you, in terms of body shape or your sleep posture and solving one issue may create another. Using separate speakers or sleep headphones may offer a more comfortable solution.”
Rating: 4/10.