Thanksgiving has come and gone and suddenly, we’re less than three weeks away from the holidays. Eek! And if you’re like me, online shopping is a god-send…but it also gives me a false sense of having limitless amounts of time to get all my shopping done. After all, with Amazon, gifts can be delivered to your doorstep, wrapped and ready to go within 24 hours, right?
Whether you’re ready to turn your attention to holiday gift giving or simply procrastinating and doing a little shopping, here are the top 10 sleep promoting items and products for the insomniac (s) in your life.
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10. Black Out Curtains
If your loved one is a night owl or an insomniac, they’re likely going to want to catch up on sleep on weekend mornings. Because, let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than being woken up by bright sunlight burning your retinas when all you want to do is catch up on sleep. This is where black out curtains come in. Available in dozens of colors and sizes, black out drapes impede 85%-99% of the light and UV rays. (Dark colored curtains work best.) Their triple weave blackout fabric also balances room temperatures by insulating against summer heat and winter chill. You’ll protect your furniture, floors, and artwork from the ravages of the sun, lower your heat and air conditioning costs and get more sleep in the process. What’s not to love?
Find them on Amazon.com or on Amazon.ca
9. Weighted Blanket
It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of weighted blankets. They’re great for adults (and children) who have problems with anxiety, insomnia, sleep deprivation or even more serious conditions. I like the Waowoo Adult Weighted Blankets. Designed to weigh approximately 10% of the user’s total body weight, they relax the user by simulating the feeling of being held or hugged. In order to decide which blanket weight is right for you, multiply your body weight by 10% and add a pound. (Blanket weight = 10% x body weight + 1 pound.) These blankets are machine washable and can be used as is. No need for duvet covers.
Find them on Amazon.com or on Amazon.ca
Sound machines for babies, kids and adults tune out noise effectively for babies, kids and, you guessed it, adults. The Dreamegg Rechargeable Sound Machine is portable, rechargeable and includes 7 white noise, 7 fan sounds, and 15 nature sounds (Bird, Sea Wave, Gentle Surf, Lullaby, Music Box, Solid Rain, Thunder Rain, Brook, Campfire, Cricket, Drip, Pendulum, Train, Shushing, and a Fetal Tone.) It’s a great way to start your nightly ritual by creating an optimal sleepy atmosphere. The sound machine works as a natural sleep aid, tinnitus/stress relief, office privacy, baby soothing, respite from a noisy snorer, noisy hotel rooms, and can even be a calming balm for sound-sensitive dogs.
Find it on Amazon.com or on Amazon.ca
7. Wake Up Light and Sunrise Simulator
Sunrise alarm clocks with smart wake up light technology are a good choice for programming regular wake-up and bed times. During theSunrise Alarm Clock, Smart Wake Up Light’s sunrise simulation, the light gradually increases before your pre-set wake up time until your room is filled with bright yellow light. The light mimics the sunrise to help you wake up more naturally. Then for its sunset simulation, the light and other sounds gradually decrease to your set duration to relax you into sleep. The alarm clock works with Alexa and is a Sleep Aid Digital Alarm Clock with Sunset Simulation, Snooze/FM Radio /7 Natural Sounds and 4 Alarms Supported for Adults & Kids.
Find it on Amazon.com or on Amazon.ca
6. Pillow Spray for Sleeping
Sleep sprays are made with a special blend of essential oils so that you can fall asleep naturally without the use of medication. Nuvo Wellness Deep Sleep Pillow Spray Mist is one of my favorites. Made with essential oils, it creates a soothing and relaxing scent for any room. It includes lavender oil, known for its health benefits to relieve stress, promote deeper sleep and support the immune system and chamomile to help calm nerves, insomnia and infection. The spray also includes bergamot to alleviates pain and stress and geranium to promote emotional stability and reduce inflammation. This makes a great stocking stuffer.
Find it on Amazon.com or on Amazon.ca
5. Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser
Essential oil diffusers not only help sleeplessness but they can also act as a humidifier and help balance out the dryness of a bedroom. The Essential Oil Diffuser Gift Set includes a diffuser and 10 different essential oils. The diffuser is made of BPA free plastic with a beautiful printed wood grain design and has 7 ambient light modes with two intensity settings for 14 different light combinations. It also includes 4 timer settings and a convenient auto shutoff feature for low water levels. The essential oils are formulated using the highest quality plants and include lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, orange, peppermint, lemongrass, jasmine, nutmeg, clove, and spearmint oils. All oils are therapeutic grade. I was gifted one of these for Mother’s Day last year and I love it.
Find it on Amazon.com or on Amazon.ca
4. Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Blue light messes with your body’s ability to prepare for sleep because it blocks melatonin production and it can shift your circadian rhythm by as much as three hours. But, turning off screens and devices at least one to two hours before bedtime is easier said than done. So, whether you’re catching up on work or enjoying your favorite video game or TV show, by wearing blue light blocking glasses wearers can effectively block harmful blue light coming from phones, computer monitors, gaming, and other devices. Blue light glasses can also be worn during the day to eliminate eye strain that causes headaches, aching eyes, and blurred vision.
Purchasing a 3-Pack of Blue Light Blocking Glasses for Women and Men is a great option. Leave a pair by your bed, keep one with your laptop and the other in the TV room and never suffer from eye strain and blue-light induced insomnia again.
Get them on Amazon.com or on Amazon.ca
3. Sleep Journal
Sleep journals are great for decluttering the mind, and for tracking the habits that affect your sleep. Some are geared to helping you break bad habits while others are made to help you deal with anxiety and the things that keep you up at night. The Self-Care: A Day and Night Reflection Journal is an excellent choice for insomniacs who want to try sleep journaling but don’t really know where to begin. The 90-day journal gives them a place to record their thoughts and activities and consider how they affect their emotional and physical health.
Find it on Amazon.com or on Amazon.ca
2. Himalayan Salt Lamp
Himalayan salt lamps are crystals carved from amber-colored rock salt, hollowed out to fit a lightbulb inside. When you light them, they give out a warm, amber glow. With their warm, pleasant, and relaxing light, users report sleeping more soundly. Amazon.com’s highest rated Himalayan salt lamp is the 7-Inch Himalayan Salt Lamp with Dimmer Cord – Night Light Natural Crystal Rock Classic Wood Base Authentic from Pakistan. Not only does its amber light promoterelaxation, but it also doubles as a great night light, bathing an otherwise dark room in a warm, inviting glow.
Find it on Amazon.com or on Amazon.ca
And my number 1 gift for insomniacs is:
1. Apple Airpods
Wireless headphones are ideal for listening to sleep podcasts, mindful meditations or soft music without the discomfort of large over-ear headphones, or getting tangled up in your headphone’s connecting wires. Apple Airpods Wireless Earbuds with Lightning Charging Case have taken wireless technology to the next level. You simply take them out of the case, put them in your ears and they connect immediately – immersing you in rich, quality sound. After a simple one-tap setup, Airpods are always connected. Their charging case holds multiple charges for more than 24 hours of battery life and users get up to 5 hours (Airpods (2nd Generation)) and 6 hours with (Airpod Pros (2nd Generation)) of listening time per charge.
When it comes to choosing which generation to buy:
I have a pair of Airpods (2nd Generation) and I personally like them better than the Airpod Pros 2nd Generation because the in-ear part is smaller and I have small ears. But, if you have regular-sized ears, or dare I say, “larger” ears, the Airpods Pros (2nd Generation) are the way to go. They will fit more snuggly and offer active noise-cancellation. They also last an hour longer but they come with a heftier price tag. ($229 UDS for the Airpods Pros 2nd Generation vs $147 USD for the Airpods 2nd Generation). With its latest iteration of Airpods (3rd Generation), Apple has gone back to the look of the 2nd Generation Airpods. Improvements include spatial audio, they are sweat and water resistant, and will give you up to 30 hours of battery life. Airpods (3rd Generation) are also cheaper than the Airpods Pros (2nd Generation) so unless a super snug inner-ear fit is important for you, opt for 3rd Generation ear pods if those extra 6 hours and having a sweat and water-resistant model matters to you. If you only wear them for sleeping, there’s no need to spend the extra money. Get the Airpods (2nd Gen).
For exact specs for the Airpods (2nd Gen), Airpods Pros (2nd Gen) and Airpods (3rd Gen) check out the comparison chart at the bottom of this page.
Buy Airpods on Amazon.com’s Apple Store or on Amazon.ca’s Apple Store
Natural, deep and restorative sleep is the key to a happier and healthier life. What are you gifting your favorite insomniac this holiday season?