Experts Shared With Us the Non-Negotiable Bedroom Essentials You Need to Get More REM Sleep
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If you’ve been feeling more tired than usual, you’re definitely not alone (I’m yearning for a nap as I write this!). With Daylight Savings here, losing that hour can really derail your sleep schedule, and not just for one or two nights either. Believe it or not, the whole month of March is National Sleep Awareness Month, and this week is specifically National Sleep Week. Over the next few days, people will usually be the most tired and groggy due to the changes in time. So, if that sounds like you, my friend, there is no better time to start investing in your sleep health than right now. To get you started on this wonderful journey, we tapped a couple of sleep doctors and experts to share tips on creating an optimal environment to produce better sleep.
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“The bedroom is the foundation of your good night’s sleep,” explained Dr. Rebecca Robbins, a Sleep Scientist at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Sleep Expert for Oura Ring. “Ideally, you want to walk into your bedroom and feel instantly relaxed. If you find the opposite, that your bedroom is a stressful place consider what the elements are that are stressful and remove them from the bedroom, perhaps a television, work computer, or cable box.” Dr. Robbins also goes on to share that you should aim to make your bedroom “extremely dark, quiet, and free from intermittent noises.”
Now, falling asleep is one thing, but actually reaching REM sleep is another. According to Dr. Shelby Harris, Director of Sleep Health of Sleepopolis, the right bedroom and bedding can greatly impact the quality of your sleep. “This [can] increase the likelihood of you entering the important REM stage of sleep and getting the best rest possible,” Dr. Harris tells SheKnows. “Overall, the goal is to cycle throughout stages of deeper sleep [through the night]. Stage Two and REM sleep throughout the night benefit our functioning. By ensuring that your environment is as good as possible to sleep in, you’re helping to improve sleep staging throughout the night.”
Below, you’ll find a handful of sleep essentials for a better night’s rest. And because we know you want to catch those zzz’s sooner rather than later, we found them all on Amazon, so they’ll arrive in little to no time with Prime shipping. Shop these bedtime must-haves recommended by experts.
100% Blackout Shield Blackout Curtains for Bedroom – 2 Panels Set
$35
Dr. Harris and Dr. Robbins suggest dark and quiet spaces to fall asleep. “Darken your room with currents or shades,” Dr. Harris says. These blackout curtains are a stylish and affordable way to black evening and morning light. They’re available in 19 colors and plenty of sizes to fit most window dimensions.
Kitsch Blackout Satin Sleep Mask
$15 $18 17% off
If you don’t want to feel like you’re remodeling a whole bedroom with new curtains, Dr. Harris recommends a “comfortable eye mask” instead to create a dark sleeping environment. This one by Kitsch is wider than most traditional versions, covering more surface area to ensure light does not come in as you rest.
Hatch Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock & Sound Machine
$199
Although Dr. Robbins suggests making your bedroom as quiet as possible, she understands that might not be as easier said than done for most. Both doctors recommend investing in a white noise machine “to mask loud disturbances that could interrupt your sleep,” says Dr. Harris. This one by Hatch is the best in class. It’s a little pricey but worth the money as you can create your sleep schedule with its unique sounds and create a gentle wake-up routine with its sunrise alarm. And it’s so aesthetically pleasing that it’ll fit right in on your bedside table.
Nectar Queen Memory Foam 12-Inch Mattress
$649 $899 28% off
Dr. Harris suggests “investing in a comfortable, supportive mattress” to create an optimal sleeping environment. If you feel like you could be in for a new bed, this is the time to get one. Tons of mattress companies are having sales right now, including this memory foam one by Nectar. And since you’re getting it from Amazon, you can sleep on this baby before the end of the week.
Casper Sleep Comfy 3-Inch Mattress Topper in Queen
$224 $299 25% off
If a new mattress is out of your budget, consider getting a mattress topper instead. Most add a substantial amount of cushion to your bed, with some even having cooling properties. I own this mattress topper by Casper, and I love it! It turned my firm IKEA mattress into something much more comfy and plush, and it feels like an entirely different bed since I got it.
FluffCo. Down Alternative Standard/Queen Size Pillows
$69
After a comfortable mattress, both doctors highly recommend having comfortable pillows. “Your pillows are essential to your bedroom environment,” Dr. Robbins expressed. “So, invest in the best quality your budget can afford.” FluffCo’s down alternative pillows are some of my favorites. I’ve used down pillows since I was a kid, and I find that down-alternative ones are just as soft but offer a bit more support. These by FluffCo are firm (although they make soft ones, too) and feel just like the luxe pillows from your favorite hotels for a fraction of the price.
DOZ by SIJO 100% Organic Cotton 4-Piece Sheet Set in Queen
$85
Dr. Robbins also says the same about investing in high-quality sheets. Regarding the type of bedding to look for, Dr. Harris suggests something “made of cooling, breathable materials like cotton.” These percale sheets are made with 100% organic cotton and feel nice and cool. In this set, you’ll get a fitted sheet with 16-inch deep pockets, so it’s sure to fit over a thick mattress or one with a topper, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases. But, if you prefer not to have a flat sheet, you can also grab a set without it for much less.
Amazon Essentials Cotton Modal Pajama Set
$28
To top it all off, you can’t go to sleep without a pair of comfy pajamas. These cotton modal options by Amazon Essentials are such a fantastic pair for such a low price. They’re soft and breathable to stay nice and cozy throughout the night.
Before you go, shop some of our favorite items on Amazon below.
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