5 Innovative Wearable Gadgets that Help You Sleep Better

When was the last time you got a good night’s sleep? Can you even remember what one feels like?

Sleep is a funny part of our health – we know we need it to be at our best, but the majority of us don’t get enough of it and actually wear this fact like a badge of honor. Others recognize the importance of sleep, want to sleep better, and have tried everything from snoring cessation aides to outfitting their bedrooms with sleep-inducing plants to help them sleep better.

If you’re looking to improve your sleep and warm milk and turmeric isn’t working for you, the tech world has got you covered. Whatever the reason for your sleep troubles, below are five pieces of wearable technology to help you fall asleep faster, sleep more deeply, and stay asleep longer.

Dreem Band

Say “headgear,” and most people will picture the tortuous, horror movie-esque orthodontic devices of their youth. The Dreem Band is not your teenage self’s headgear. This headset is made from soft material to maximize comfort and contains sophisticated technology that promises to help you “improve your sleep, step by step: from the assessment of your needs to restructuring your sleep via dedicated coaching programs to long-term optimization with effective techniques.” The Dreem Band monitors your heart rate, brain activity, movement, and breathing without BlueTooth or wifi and, among other things, transmits sleep-supporting sounds using either bone conduction or headphones. It’s also useful for improving daytime focus or meditation and will set you back $349.

Motiv Ring

Knowledge is power. The Motiv Ring is a sleek fitness tracker that monitors your sleep statistics to help you better identify and address the reasons for your poor sleeping. Less bulky than a tracker designed for the wrist or head, but with the accuracy benefits of a wearable, the Motiv might just be the best of both worlds for sleep tracking. The Motiv Ring retails for $199.

Far Infrared Bedsheets and Sleepwear

Yes, pajamas have gotten an upgrade. Under Armour has designed a line of sleepwear and bedsheets made from special, far infrared-reflecting material. Far infrared (FIR) is a form of radiant heat energy within the invisible light spectrum. Under Armour claims their breathable, bioceramic-infused material will keep you at an optimal temperature for sleep and muscle recovery by reflecting your body’s own heat energy back to you. Prices vary.

TouchPoints^TM

Designed by a neuroscientist and based on the premise that stress is a key factor in preventing and disrupting sleep, TouchPoints^TM are twin wristbands that emit micro-haptic vibrations. The makers of TouchPoints^TM claim that these vibrations turn off your body’s stress response like a light switch. They can be worn on your wrists, held in your hands, or kept in your pockets. The website contains an encyclopedia of uses for the bands, for everything from performance anxiety to focusing on a task. There are two models available and bulk ordering discounts but plan on spending at least $160.

QuietOn Earbuds

These noise-canceling earbuds are marketed as “snoring killers,” and if the marketing is accurate, they may just save your marriage. Why do they work so much better than traditional foam earplugs? Not only do they have the benefit of passive noise blocking by simply being in your ears, but they also actively cancel out the full spectrum of sound frequencies (foam plugs are really only effective at blocking higher frequency sounds, snoring is in the lower frequency range). This is the coolest part: these earbuds cancel sound by actually recording sound from within your ears and playing the “anti-noise” back to you!

A tap of the finger is all you need to switch between sleeping and hearing modes, so you don’t have to take them in and out of your ears. With 20 hours of battery life and a soft, sleek comfort design, you can sleep in as long as you want or wear them out and about during your commute or at the office. QuietOn earbuds are currently available for preorder in single sets ($159), couples ($269), and family packs ($499).

Go Get Some Sleep

Sleep. Go ahead. You need it. It’s not a weakness. If you do nothing else to take care of yourself today, prioritize getting a better night’s sleep. Turn the lights down a little earlier, drink some herbal tea, turn off the tablet and pick up a book. A little technological boost in the right place may be all you need to get a great night’s sleep.