Get a Better, Healthier Night's Sleep With These 7 Products
-
Mattress Protector
Do you suffer from asthma or allergies? Dust mites could be to blame. According to the Asthma and Allergy Association of America, these delightful creatures love to live in your home, especially in your stuffed toys, carpets, furniture and bedding.
To help keep the dust mites at bay, consider encasing your mattress in a hypoallergenic mattress protector that protects not only against the little critters, but helps keep other allergens and bacteria from making you sick while you sleep.
Safe Rest Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector Available at Amazon ($29.95)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
-
Pillow Protector
While you're at it, you might as well protect that pillow from dust mites and other allergens, too. Plastic-free pillow encasements use filtration materials that create a barrier so no allergens can get into your pillow, keeping you sneeze- and stuffy-nose-free. As an added bonus, they are machine-washable.
Evolon Allergy Pillow Protector Available at Amazon (starting at $8.49)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
-
Humidifier
You know your house is suffering from a lack of moisture when you shock everything you touch. In winter months, humidity can drop to as low as 10 percent. Some studies suggest that the flu virus has a better chance of survival in lower humidity, so all the better reason to make sure your bedroom doesn't get too dry.
In addition to keeping some germs at bay and prevent shocking your partner when you kiss them goodnight, keeping a humidifier in your bedroom can keep your skin, nose and throat from getting too dry. It can also make you or your children more comfortable should one of you have a case of the sniffles. Just be sure to keep the machine clean--dry it out every day, and do a thorough cleaning once a week to ensure the moisture in the air isn't also full of bacteria.
Vick's Warm Mist Humidifier Available at Amazon ($35.99)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
-
Plants
Plants provide us with the air we breathe and help rid the air of toxins and harmful fumes. It only makes sense to bring a little bit of nature indoors--especially in the bedroom.
Houseplants Available at White Flower Farm (prices vary)
-
Thermostat
Experts believe that a cooler bedroom temperature (around 65 degrees) makes a good night's sleep easier to achieve. What's more, keeping the temperature of your room on the cool side has been tied not only to a faster metabolism, but seems to have the effect of transforming unhealthy fat cells into healthy ones.
To make sure you're sleeping at the optimum temperature, consider a thermostat that can program the temperatures you prefer at specific times of day, saves energy and is voice-controlled for easy access (especially when you don't feel like getting out of bed).
Nest Learning Thermostat Available at Amazon ($246.90)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
-
White Noise Machine
Does your significant other snore? Is your bedroom window right above a busy street? Is your roommate prone to watching action-adventure flicks in the wee hours of the morning? Tune all of this out and more with a white noise machine.
Neutral sounds such as oceans, thunder, rain or static can help you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling well-rested. Leave it on all night or set a timer to turn the machine off when you know your roommate has finally gone off to bed. Most machines also travel well, so you can pack and go.
Big Red Rooster Sound Machine Available at Amazon ($34.73)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
-
Aromatherapy Diffuser
Just like scents can trigger a memory (like grandma's famous pasta sauce simmering on the stove all day), they can also help you to feel calmer and get a better night's sleep. The smells of lavender, jasmine, lemon, vanilla and ylang ylang can all transport you from the stress of work to a restful night's sleep.
The best way to keep that good feeling going all night long is to invest in an aromatherapy diffuser. Battery-operated diffusers are the safest and quietest options to fill one room (or the whole house) with your favorite soothing scents.
ArtNaturals Aromatherapy Essential Oil and Diffuser Set Available at Amazon ($36.99)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
We hope you love these products as much as we do! SparkPeople may collect a small percentage of revenue from the links on this page. Prices subject to change.
See more wellness slideshows
Get a Healthier Night's Sleep with These 7 Products
By: Elizabeth Lowry
Congratulations--you've committed to making your health a priority. Maybe you joined a gym, have a date with a personal trainer once a week or participate in a neighborhood walking group. Although you've also taken care of the obvious diet-wreckers (cleaning out unhealthy foods from your fridge and pantry, being mindful of your meals and spending money on spinning instead of Starbucks), there may be other areas that you've overlooked in your quest for health, such as your bedroom.
You spend more time in your bedroom than you might realize. In fact, humans spend about one-third of their lives sleeping, or attempting to fall asleep. Why not make this large chunk of time as healthy as it can be? From the air you breathe to the sheets you sleep on, these products promote health while you dream of reaching weight loss goals and climbing Mt. Everest.
Start Slideshow
Mattress Protector
Do you suffer from asthma or allergies? Dust mites could be to blame. According to the Asthma and Allergy Association of America, these delightful creatures love to live in your home, especially in your stuffed toys, carpets, furniture and bedding.
To help keep the dust mites at bay, consider encasing your mattress in a hypoallergenic mattress protector that protects not only against the little critters, but helps keep other allergens and bacteria from making you sick while you sleep.
Safe Rest Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector Available at Amazon ($29.95)
Photo courtesy of Amazon.
