The Best Gifts for Insomniacs and Night Owls, According to a Sleepless Editor

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I don't sleep. OK, I do sleep, but not without a criminal amount of effort and 10 milligrams of Ambien. As a sleepless zombie human who's committed to finding fabulous gifts for insomniacs, my best work happens mostly when the Ambien wears off at about 3:00 A.M. That's when I am doom-scrolling, looking for something that might help me fall asleep and stay asleep.

Somewhere on my journey, I came across sleep expert and psychiatrist Dr. Shane Creado MD, and was instantly gobsmacked at just how little I knew about my own problem, other than, "Go to bed, take your Ambien, try not to eat butter or order anything weird on Amazon." (I have done both. I am now the proud owner of a bunch of weird Danny DeVito merch. I don't get it either.)

I got the chance to speak with him, and holy moly, he had some great insight for all of us. He tells Best Products that "Insomnia is not a lack of sleep, but a preponderance of wakefulness of the brain." (Direct hit. Thanks, Doc!) He adds that "insomnia is almost always secondary to several saboteurs, which, once corrected, can end the cascade of catastrophe." Even doctors love alliteration!

Often, at least according to Dr. Creado, it's not just one thing but a whole cornucopia of behaviors and environmental issues that lead to being creatures of the dark. I have curated a list of things that may help — some of which are recs from Dr. Creado and some from myself and other insomniacs like me — that can help the sleepless get some rest, or at least a good chuckle. The choices are truly all over the place, just as the causes of insomnia are varied and far-reaching.

Check out our favorite gifts for insomniacs below!

Weighted Sleep Mask

If there's ambient light in your room, Dr. Creado suggests a weighted sleep mask. Not only is it blocking the light, it's also providing that gentle pressure so many of us with sleep problems seem to benefit from. I personally love this one because the band is tight enough so it doesn't move but not too tight that it gives you a headache.

'Peak Sleep Performance for Athletes'

Did you know that if you have insomnia, you might need to have your iron and zinc levels checked? I didn't. There's a ton of information like that in this book, along with how to gauge your level of insomnia, what you can do to alleviate your problems, and more helpful sleep tips.

Put Me to Sleep Naturally Chewable Supplement

Dr. Creado helped create this chewable supplement with B6, magnesium, Gamma-Aminobutyric acid, hydroxytryptophan, theanine, and a little bit of melatonin. It's made to slowly relax you into a calm sleep.

Yes, many of us are pretty weary of supplements, having taken many over the years, but how many were geared toward long-lasting sleep like this one? Not many — if at all.

Cuddle Blanket

This is my latest purchase that I'm hoping really helps. So far, it's been really great for naps, and giving me that suffocating feeling I seem to need. A full-body hug, if you will. Plus, this is just the softest, cuddliest blanket that I have ever owned.

Smart Thermostat

Having your room too hot or too cold can be detrimental to your sleep, according to The Cleveland Clinic. Michelle Drerup, PsyD said on their blog that the ideal temperature for our bodies to fall into slumber is between 60º and 67ºF.

Having an automatic smart thermostat that turns on and off to moderate the temperature of the room to this range could be a night changer. And this one works with Alexa, Google, Apple, or whatever device you may have.

100% Pure Tart Cherry Juice

If you've been on TikTok, you know all about tart cherry juice and its purported benefits for sleep. It's a popular sleep aid that a ton of people swear by. The evidence itself is a little less concrete, with so few studies having been conducted thus far, but I hear it tastes great, and it's worth a try, right?

Whole Bean Medium Roast

Do you know what the other side of insomnia is? Bad mornings filled with exhaustion. You don't want to know what I look or act like before my husband brings me my coffee. (BTW, coffee in bed is the secret to 20+ years of happiness.)

I have fallen in love with Brain Bean coffee. It's non-acidic, gives me my morning boost, and the smell is heaven.

Blue Light Glasses

Giving up electronics at night is nearly impossible for many of us, but it can have a detrimental effect on our sleep thanks to the blue light that it emits. Whatever you can do to mitigate those issues can help. Using blue light glasses like these helps block those wakeful rays, helping you better wind down.

Plus, they make you look smart, and maybe even a little hot, and since sex helps sleep...

Personal Training App

In possibly the worst and most-expected information of the year, exercise, at least two hours before bed, is apparently wonderful for your sleep. Pop quiz! Guess when I work out? You guessed it! Right before bed.

For the past week and a half, since I started this list, I have been working out a full 2.5 hours before bed. I can say that I have slept deeper. I use the Future Fitness App because I need accountability and guidance, and if I need those things, your friendly neighborhood insomniac likely does as well. You get your very own personal trainer and custom workouts, and it makes a great gift, whether you get them one month for a jumpstart, or three for a program.

Horizon Ring 3

Knowing about your sleep can be one way to figure out your insomnia. The Oura ring tracks different stages of your sleep and wakefulness, and those can be used to help a doctor diagnose your sleep issues or perhaps lead you to better sleep hygiene.

I have an Oura ring, and the only times I take it off are when I am charging it or swimming (it's waterproof, but I don't want to lose it). I monitor my sleep, my exercise, and even my period. I have learned so much about my sleep issues from this device, and my doctor assures me that this will help me when I brave the idea of coming off of Ambien. I will miss the gifts to myself, though.

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

Let's be real: most of us aren't going to give up devices completely — especially us readers. Books take up so much space, but reading before bed is darn near a compulsion! The Kindle Paperwhite emits less blue light than other devices, allowing you to read your favorite vampire romance while you get yourself nice and dozy.

Premium Reed Diffuser Set

Aromatherapy, lavender specifically, has long been known to help people get to sleep. It's almost ubiquitous in culture, showing up everywhere from baby lotion to bed sheets. Why not have gift a pretty diffuser that emits a delightful fragrance while looking great?

Chamomile Herbal Tea

I do love a good cup of tea, but I tend to be partial to black tea, which is, you guessed it, full of caffeine. Chamomile is known for being relaxing and chill, getting you to sleep. Harney and Sons makes a delicious chamomile blend, and it comes in such a pretty box.

Amber Book Light

If you're lucky enough to have a lot of physical books, or if you're a library user (team library all the way) this light is made for reading at night. It diminishes eye strain without emitting the distracting and wakeful blue light.

Thick and Exercise Yoga Mat

A survey found that over half of people who do yoga get better sleep. Again, this is terrible news for my ADHD-addled brain, but I already have this great mat from Gaiam, and I can vouch for its springy softness.

It's a 72-inch long yoga mat that feels more like a gymnastics mat, so when you go into corpse pose at the end of your routine, you are cushioned to perfection. I also just love that kneeling on it doesn't kill my aging knees. I have had it for three years and still use it four times per week — it's that good.

Magnesium Body Butter

Low magnesium levels have been indicated as one factor in insomnia and poorly-regulated sleep. Magnesium lotion is one of the ways people choose to increase their levels and get cozy and relaxed. The scents of the lotion are calming, and the makers say that this lotion can help you fall asleep.

Sleep Headphones

Do you know what keeps me up at night the most? The sound of my own thoughts. They're really loud. Listening to calming stories or music or thunderstorms helps me tremendously. At home, I use the Hatch Restore 2, but when I'm traveling, I have to use these Bluetooth headphones.

Sedona Zafu Meditation Cushion

Meditation is said to be a great relief for insomnia. I fail at it over and over again, but I do know many people who swear by it. This gift for insomniacs is meant to keep your body in the correct position while your brain tries its best to find some peace.

Knit Weighted Blanket

I did mention that a lot of us like to be weighed down when we go to sleep, didn't I? Especially my fellow autistic insomniacs. The Nuzzie was our best-rated weighted blanket last year for good reason. It's soft, breathable, heavy, and looks like a nice bed accessory.

Our senior editor, Melanie Yates, noted that "its feel just can't be beaten. The large-scale knit allows air to flow through, but the ample size provides the gentle, de-stressing press that you want from this type of product. It's one to keep on your bed or couch as decor and enjoy throughout the seasons."

Blackout Curtains

Is it your partner the one who's having trouble at night? Consider getting them some blackout curtains. It can seal off the room, making it a cozy cave for your sluggish sleeper. It just so happens that these curtains also look great in any room. They're positively luxe.

Sumo Citrus Mandarins

Before I started researching for this article, I heard that good vitamin C levels were critical for sleep, but never really looked into it. Turns out that it's important in basically everything your body does. Getting your insomniac vitamin C tablets is boring, but do you know what isn't? A box of delicious Sumo oranges. Even if they don't help, they're still really yummy.

Heated Foot Massager

The time when I feel most relaxed is during my pedicure when they're massaging my feet. As it turns out, massaging the feet can relax you enough to make you sleepy. Renpho makes a wondrous foot massager, and even if you sleep like a baby, you deserve one.

Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock

I adore my Hatch Restore 2, and it has helped a bit with my sleeping woes in the year I've been using it. It has wonderful sounds you can play, as well as sleep stories, meditations, and focused music. Then, in the morning, it slowly wakes you up with music and light. It's quite pleasant and has become a regular part of my (attempted) bedtime routine.

Dream Seltzer

Not a fan of juice or tea? Why not a sparkling mocktail with tart cherry juice and chamomile tea infused into it? It's bubbly and tasty without being overwhelmingly juicy or chamomile-y.

Aromatherapy Shower Steamers

I cannot sleep without taking a shower before bed. Frankly, I can't even bring myself to get in bed without a shower. Having lavender-scented shower steamers like this one feels like a step in the right direction and instantly soothes me — mind, body, and all.

Light Therapy Lamp

Insomnia is so much worse in the winter when it's dark all the dang time. A sun light like this one is made to help both your circadian rhythm and that lovely seasonal depression that hits so many of us every year.

Weighted Stuffed Animal

Getting a weighted blanket is wonderful, and I obviously encourage it, but a weighted stuffed teddy bear feels more personal and a heck of a lot cuter. Granted, I wouldn't get this for your boss — I would get it for my boss — but she's like me in the camp of the non-blood-sucking vampires.

Stonewashed Linen Sheets

Baloo is made for Sleepless Sallies like myself. They make all sorts of sleeping assistants, but my favorite by a mile is the linen sheets. They're breathable and comfy, but they're not overly lightweight — they're just perfect.

Sound Activated Party Lights with Remote Control Dj

When all else fails, make it a party. Can't sleep and going absolutely wild with anxiety, and you only have an hour before you're supposed to wake up? It's time for a dance party with good vibes and that coffee earlier on the list.

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