Four Items That Can Help You Get a Better Night’s Rest

Nothing can ruin the day ahead, like getting a terrible night’s sleep. In the United States alone, more than 70% of people report getting at least one night of poor sleep every month. More than 11% of people report getting insufficient sleep every night. While it may be easy to turn to the use of sleeping aids, this is not a long-term solution, nor is it good for your body. Instead of trying to fight through the fatigue the next day or trying to overcompensate with excessive amounts of caffeine, we have several items you should try to get a better night’s rest. With a humidifier large room, a weighted blanket, a white noise machine, and melatonin, your best night’s sleep could be just around the corner. 

1. Sleep Better With a Humidifier

The humidifier was invented in the early 1960s as a machine to increase the humidity in the air. Now, over 60 years later, humidifiers remain an incredibly popular item found in many homes. Humidifiers in large room are used to prevent and reduce the intensity of many conditions, including dry skin, congestion, allergies, snoring, asthma attacks, eye irritation, headaches, chapped lips, cough, and a bloody nose. Some of the newer humidifiers’ large rooms also have some great new features, making them even easier to use and maintain, such as a 50-hour run time that can cover up to 500 square feet, a filterless design, and ultra-quiet motor. They are also safe for use – if the humidifier’s large room runs out of water, the system will automatically shut off. For improved sleep, increasing the room’s humidity levels will increase your comfort level when trying to fall asleep. This is especially true if you feel under the weather with a dry, itchy throat. And even though it has a quiet motor, the sound from your humidifier’s large room motor can create an effect similar to a white noise machine. So if you find yourself constantly tossing and turning at night, then it may be time to try a new humidifier. 

2. Weighted Blankets for Comfort

If you do not own a weighted blanket yet, then listen up. Weighted blankets are heavy blankets used for therapeutic purposes. They weigh between five and 30 pounds and are filled with plastic beads or pellets. Based on your personal preference, they can vary in size, color, and fabric. Weighted blankets have a calming effect on the body and can benefit many ailments and disorders, including anxiety, autism, chronic pain, depression, and insomnia. Many people describe using a weighted blanket as similar to receiving a big hug from a loved one. Weighted blankets can help improve sleep by increasing oxytocin levels in the body, making us feel calm, safe, and de-stressed. The heavy weight of the blanket can also reduce the amount of tossing and turning a person does at night. How the blanket settles on a person’s body can also decrease the number of times you wake up throughout the night. While a weighted blanket is not magic and can take some time to get used to, adding this as a natural alternative to help improve sleep quality sounds like a win in our book. 

3. Noise Machines – Not Just for Babies

Noise machines used to only be commonly used for drowning out noise while babies or small children would sleep. Now, it is not uncommon to find a noise machine in most people’s homes. Even without a dedicated noise machine, cell phones and other new technology make it easy to play noise and drown out sounds. While sound machines may not be for everyone, about five percent of the population say they use a sound machine every night to improve their sleep quality. White noise plays frequencies at equal intensities, which can help mask loud sounds that may stimulate the brain when trying to fall asleep. White noise can also give you a sound to focus on instead of having countless thoughts rolling through your head. Giving your mind something to focus on is especially beneficial for light sleepers or those with insomnia. Even if white noise is not the sound for you, you can also try a variety of other sounds that may help. Environmental sounds like the ocean, rainforest, or a rainstorm may be more helpful in allowing your mind to settle. 

4. Try Taking Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone your body produces that plays a significant role in sleep. Melatonin is what regulates your body’s sleep-wake cycles. When your body has high melatonin levels, you can fall asleep and stay asleep much more effortlessly. Some people’s bodies do not make an adequate amount of melatonin, making it difficult for them to fall asleep or stay asleep at night. Lab-produced melatonin can be purchased at most stores and pharmacies for relatively cheap. Your brain naturally increases melatonin production about one to two hours before you sleep, so if you take extra melatonin, you should do so an hour or two before bed. Taking melatonin will help facilitate the process naturally, allowing you to fall asleep and stay asleep longer easily. 

 

The quality of sleep you get can determine a lot, so it is vital to ensure you get the best sleep possible. Instead of turning to prescription medications, try starting with a few natural, safe options. Adding a humidifier, weighted blanket, white noise machine, and melatonin into your bedtime routine may be the solution you have been looking for.