4 Gadgets to Help Get a Better Night's Sleep

I can't count the number of times I've seen news reports on the fact that Americans aren't getting enough sleep at night. But in a society that glorifies the "I'll sleep when I'm dead," mentality, it doesn't surprise me that people are placing quality shuteye low on their list of priorities. But sleep deprivation causes a whole host of health problems. It impairs mental function, reduces testosterone productions in men, lowers immunity strength, and can even keep you from losing weight.
But it can be difficult to catch quality zzzz's  in this go-go-go world of ours. Our brains have a hard time shutting off and surrendering at night.
 
Below we've compiled a list of four great examples of gadgets and tech--inspired by Tim Ferris' recommendations inThe Four Hour Body--to help you upgrade your sleep and thus your health, energy and mood during the day as well:


The Zeo Personal Sleep Coach



One of the first steps in improving your sleep is knowing the quantity and quality of the sleep you're currently getting. After you collect this information, you'll be able to take appropriate steps to improve your sleep in both areas.

It used to be you'd have to go to some expensive sleep specialist to gather this sort of data, but that's no longer the case with the introduction of The Zeo Personal Sleep Coach.

A wireless headband that you wear at night measures electrical patterns generated by your brain as you snooze. Zeo then takes that information and creates easy to read online graphs that show you exactly when you were experiencing REM, light, and deep sleep patterns. The bedside display also has an alarm that will wake you up when your brain activity is the highest, thus preventing the early morning grogginess that comes from waking during deep sleep, what scientists call "sleep inertia." The online tools available will use the data collected from the Zeo to create customized actions plans to help improve your sleep at night so you can be your best during the day.

Price: $199.95


Philips Wake Up Light

Is there a worse sound than the beep-beep-beep of a conventional alarm clock? Even when I hear one go off on a television commercial I cringe a little inside. It's certainly not a sound that helps you get the day started in a chipper mood.

For a kinder, gentler way to wake up each morning, try the Philips Wake Up Light. You place the lamp-like device by your bedside and in the 30 minutes before you've chosen to wake up, it simulates a natural sunrise by emitting a gradually increasing amount of light into the room. The slowly intensifying light wakes you up gradually and soothingly. You can also choose music or nature sounds that increase in volume to accompany the light if you need a little bit extra to shake you from slumber. Additionally, the light is touted as a way to boost your mood and energy as you start the day.

The light can also be used at night in the opposite way, with the light and sound gradually diminishing, lulling you into sleep.

$87.00

F.lux


If you're like many people, you probably sit in front of your computer screen checking email and surfing the web right before you hit the hay. The problem with this habit is our computer screens bathe our faces in blue light waves. While blue light can boost our energy and mood during the day, exposure to it right before bed can prevent us from falling asleep. Blue light inhibits melatonin production and we need melatonin to make us sleepy. No melatonin, no sleep.

To help reduce the amount of blue light emitted by your computer screen, install the free app F.lux on your computer. F.lux automatically adjusts the amount of blue light waves emitted by your screen depending on the time of day. During the day, blue light waves are given off full blast. But as you get closer to nighttime, your screen will adjust its color so there are less blue light waves being emitted, allowing your body to produce melatonin so you're ready to welcome Mr. Sandman when he comes to visit.

Price: Free



NightWave


If you've been having trouble falling asleep because your mind races frantically at night as you lie in bed, you might consider trying out the NightWave. It's a small device that lets off a soft blue light in your darkened bedroom. The light pulses slowly from bright to dim for seven minutes. All you have to do is lie with your eyes open and sync your breathing with the light pulse. As the seven minutes wind down, the pulse gets slower and slower, and your mind and body relaxes more and more deeply. When the seven minutes is up, you're out like, well, a light.

As we just mentioned, blue light can actually keep you awake, but that is only the case when it is directly shined in one's eyes. The blue light from the NightWave is soft in intensity and projected onto the ceiling.

Price: $50

What's your secret gadget for getting a good night's sleep? Let us know below.

 

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Founded in January 2008, The Art of Manliness is a blog focused on reviving the lost art of manliness. With over 2 million monthly page views, The Art of Manliness represents a new kind of magazine for men, one that focuses on helping men become better citizens, fathers, husbands, friends, and simply all around better men. Husband and wife team, Brett and Kate McKay head up the up the blog. They live in Tulsa, OK.