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- Overview
- How we vet brands and products
- A quick look at the best products for insomnia
- What is insomnia, and what causes it?
- How we chose the best products for people with insomnia
- Upgrade your bedding
- Try meditation or a bath
- Reduce light exposure and distracting noises
- Give natural sleep aids a shot
- How to choose
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We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.
Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
•Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
•Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
•Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
•Best weighted blanket for insomnia: Purple Bearaby Weighted Blanket
•Best mattress for insomnia: Saatva Classic Mattress
•Best pillow for insomnia: UTTU Sandwich Pillow
•Best sheet set for insomnia: Brooklinen Classic Core Sheet Set
•Best app for insomnia: Calm App
•Best sleep soak for insomnia: Dr. Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt Melatonin Sleep Soak
The term insomnia is often used casually to mean any given night when sleep is difficult. However, insomnia as a sleep disorder can be defined by four criteria:
•having difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or only getting nonrestorative sleep
•persisting difficulty, even when you have the opportunity and ideal conditions for sleep
•lack of sleep affecting your ability to function properly during the day
•sleep disturbance occurring at least three times per week and continuing for at least 1 month
Short-term insomnia is often caused by stress, schedule changes, or changes in the environment (one reason that insomnia frequently occurs when traveling).
There are so many products on the market that claim to relieve symptoms of insomnia. To ensure that you choose the highest quality products possible, we used the following criteria:
•Scientific research. Numerous studies examine the effects of factors, such as light, diet, and meditation, on sleep. We used peer-reviewed research to help inform the types of products that could most support sleep.
•Customer reviews. The customer is always right, which is why customer reviews are one of our best indicators of a product’s quality. We took a close look at reviews to make sure customers really love each of our picks.
•Company reputation. All the products we reviewed are from reputable companies that have a history of making quality items.
Best weighted blanket for insomnia Purple Bearaby Weighted Blanket
•Price: $$ •Who is it best for: people who have insomnia caused by stress or mental health conditions A weighted blanket can be an amazing tool if you experience anxiety that’s keeping you up at night. Weighted blankets create a calming effect by putting a pleasant pressure on the body. This releases serotonin and calms the nervous system. Research shows that people with insomnia caused by depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and ADHD experienced improved sleep when using a weighted blanket. We like this weighted blanket from Purple because, at 20 pounds, it’s hand-knitted from an organic cotton yarn and encourages natural airflow. It’s also evenly weighted, machine washable, and perfect for all seasons of the year. This blanket receives overall positive reviews, and many people say it improves their quality of sleep. Many reviewers also appreciate having the ability to choose either a cozy or cool side.
Pros
•The open knit design is very breathable. This is especially good for people who find that their body might run hot. •The material is highly durable. Users have found that the organic cotton and thick knit make the blanket one of the more durable ones on the market and will stand the test of time.
Cons
•It’s available in only one size. If you want a weighted blanket that weighs more, you’ll have to look elsewhere as this one has only the 20-pound size. •Lack of insulation. Because the blanket is breathable, you might find that this blanket hasn’t got enough insulation if you tend to run cold. Shop now at Purple
Best app for insomnia Calm
•Price: $ •Who it is best for: people with insomnia driven by stress or anxiety When it’s time to fall asleep, a racing mind can be a frustrating experience for someone with insomnia. If this sounds familiar, it might be worth trying meditation. Meditation can be an amazing antidote to an overactive mind and body, and it’s an excellent way to relax for sleep. A 2018 study found that practicing mindfulness meditation can improve overall sleep quality. But meditating alone can be difficult for some people. Meditation apps, like the Calm App, can be a great resource for guided meditations, sleep stories, and relaxation exercises. The Calm app averages 4.8 stars on the Apple App Store with 1.5 million ratings. The app has a free 7-day trial, so you can try out the meditations for yourself. After the trial ends, membership costs $69.99 annually.
Pros
•It’s great for people who are new to guided meditation. If you’re unfamiliar with meditation, Calm is an educational app with guided meditations. •New content is always being added. Subscribers and members don’t need to worry about running out of new content on the app since there are frequent additions. •You have the option of being soothed to sleep by a celebrity. Calm’s sleep stories are always being updated with new stories to help lull you to sleep. You can listen to A-list celebrities like Matthew McConaughey and Harry Styles while you’re trying to doze off.
Cons
•There are reported subscription issues. Some find that the app will automatically renew your subscription without a warning notification or email. Get started with Calm
Best light for insomnia Casper Glow Light
•Price: $$ •Who it is best for: people with insomnia driven by shift work or for younger children Light is one of the primary offenders at preventing sleep these days. From too much screen time to the oversaturation of light in our homes, the excess light we expose ourselves to tricks our brain into thinking it’s still time to be awake. Artificial light can have a serious negative effect on our bodies and cause circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, which can alter our body’s internal clock and cause insomnia. One of the easiest lifestyle changes we can make is limiting our exposure to bright light at night. That’s why we chose the Casper Glow Light, which was designed to help people fall asleep easier. The light has a soft, warm glow that promotes relaxation, and the light gradually dims to help you drift off to sleep without disturbance. The Glow Light also functions as an alarm in the morning, lighting up with a soft glow when it’s time to wake up. The light sits on a charger and can be carried around as a night light. The Glow Light is also well-reviewed on Casper’s website with an impressive 5-star average rating.
Pros
•Convenient size. Users love the size of this light, especially if they ever need to get up in the middle of the night. •Great for kids. Parents have found this is a great lamp for kids who struggle with sleep or those who need to have quiet time before bed. •Ideal for workers on shift work. This is a popular lamp for people who work on shift and need to sleep or wake up during alternative hours of the day.
Cons
•It may not wake you if you’re a heavy sleeper. The device relies on light therapy as a sunrise alarm clock. If you’re a heavy sleeper, you may require a sound alarm to wake you. Shop now at Casper
Best melatonin for insomnia NOW Liquid Melatonin
•Price: $ •Who it is best for: people with long-term insomnia Melatonin is a popular natural sleep aid that’s safe for most people to take and has few side effects. It’s a hormone naturally secreted by the pineal gland that controls the sleep-wake cycle. Studies have shown that taking melatonin supplements can help reduce sleep onset latency (otherwise known as the amount of time it takes to fall asleep) in people with insomnia. Liquid melatonin absorbs more quickly into the bloodstream than pill form, which is why this option from NOW is our pick for people with insomnia. This supplement is also free from wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, and shellfish. One serving provides 3 mg of melatonin. Because this liquid formula doesn’t come with a dropper, you’ll need to measure it yourself with a measuring spoon or cup. Check out some other top picks for melatonin supplements.
Pros
•The liquid form is absorbed easily. Unlike a pill, the liquid form of melatonin means your body is more likely to absorb the product quicker to bring on sleep.
Cons
•Some users experience side effects. Some users do experience side effects, such as drowsiness or nausea as a result of the melatonin. You also shouldn’t take it if you’re using any type of steroids.
The best way to choose which treatment is right for you is to understand what type of insomnia you may have. Some treatments will work differently depending on whether you have short-term, acute, or chronic insomnia.
Also, bodies respond to medications and treatments differently. If you have symptoms of more serious insomnia, it might be best to seek out the advice of a medical professional.
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