I Struggle With Sleeping—This Habit Changed My Routine for the Better
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@livpurvis
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@lucywilliams02
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@monikh
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SLEEP CYCLELike other apps, Sleep Cycle tracks and analyses your sleeping pattern, but it also works with the data it collects to wake you up at the perfect time—when you're in your lightest phase of sleep—with natural sounds and soothing music. Sleep Cycle will also give you weekly reports that include info on your best and worst sleep-quality days, a run-through of regular movement and noise picked up during sleep, heart rate and overall sleep quality. It also has a pretty sleek interface and a collection of sounds and recordings to help you unwind and fall asleep easily. Plus, if you pay for the full use of the app, you'll find a collection of programmes such as daytime hacks (things you can do while awake to help you sleep better) and relaxation exercises.
This genuinely left me feeling more rested and relaxed when I woke up, and I honestly looked forward to getting up every morning thanks to the smart alarm clock. The downside? It drains your phone battery pretty quickly and needs at least a week before it can start reporting, so only download this if you're in it for the long haul.
Rating: 4.5/5
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PILLOWPillow is one of the most popular sleep-tracking apps available to download right now. It analyses your sleep duration and quality, and over time, it will deliver a pretty comprehensive assessment of your sleep pattern as well as a report on the motion and audio data it has collected while you've been sleeping. One of my favourite features is how the app splits the sleep phases into three categories: light sleep, deep sleep and REM sleep. Based on this, the app will offer up helpful suggestions on optimal bedtime and when to wake up.
This app works best on a smartwatch, but you can also place your phone on a bedside table or near a pillow. It is incredibly straightforward to use and will give you a general sleep-quality score each morning, which is an easy way to get an idea of how well you've slept. Plus, it asks you to rate your mood after waking up, which is a nice touch. Pillow is a great option for those of us that wear a smartwatch to bed, but if you'd rather not wear a watch or prefer to have your phone away from your head, I'd suggest opting for something different.
Rating: 3/5
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SLUMBERSlumber is a sleep and relaxation aid only (not a tracker), so if you want more for your money or are looking for data on your sleeping habits, this most likely isn't the one for you. However, if you need some help unnwinding before bed, it's well worth the download.
"As well as the plethora of bedtime stories—which include train journeys on the California coast and a cosy snow day in 1982—Slumber has a multitude of background effects that you can play to create your own soundscape. You may have heard the sounds of the rainforest, the ocean and a thunderstorm, but Slumber's offering goes above and beyond. Crickets, fire crackling, a fan and even leaves rustling are just a few of the available sounds, and you can edit the volume of each to suit your sleep mood. This is next-level bespoke! However, the app is expensive once the free trial ends and doesn't give you any information on how you actually sleep or how to improve sleep quality." — Rebecca Rhys-Evans, editor, branded content
Rating: 4/5
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PZIZZIf you mention the words "sleep app," the name Pzizz isn't far behind. Described as "sleep at the push of a button," Pzizz is home to a series of dreamscapes (stories with soothing background music and sounds) which have been carefully created by experts to help you fall asleep quickly and stay asleep, and you'll wake up feeling even more rested. Each dreamscape has been created by a team of audio engineers and is based on a collection of clinical sleep-study results in order to be as effective as possible. There's also a handy nap mode if you just need to catch 40 winks and a focus mode for the daytime.
Not only are the Pzizz dreamscapes really soothing, but over time the app will also learn what kind of sounds are actually working for you and will tailor its offering to give you the best experience possible. It's also very easy to use and really does help you to feel more relaxed before bedtime. With this app, I fell asleep the fastest and woke up in the middle of the night less, which is a big win for me.
Note: This app is best used with headphones to get the full effect of the 3D audio spaces it aims to create for users.
Rating: 3.5/5
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HEADSPACEYou might already be familiar with Headspace, an app that is well known for aiding people with meditation and mindfulness. But did you know it also has specific tools to help you get a good night's sleep? The app is home to a wide collection of bedtime stories, each of which gradually help to clam your brain by using soothing tones and calming scenarios. You can also use the app's beloved meditations to help de-stress and unwind before bedtime. My favourite feature? The quick sleep sessions, which help you fall back asleep easily when you wake up in the middle of the night.
Headspace will always be one of my favourite apps, and while it doesn't track my sleep habits and patterns, I will definitely reach for it when I'm struggling to nod off.
Rating: 4/5
"I find waking in the dark, wintery mornings tricky, and I hate how the sound of my shrill iPhone alarm jolts me awake and leaves me feeling groggy. I'm also a bit of a serial snoozer, so I wanted to try the Lumie alarm clock to see if it would gently stir me when it's time to wake up. It's safe to say that it hasn't disappointed. The sunrise alarm clock gradually brightens the room in the half hour leading to when you want to wake up, which is conducive to waking up feeling refreshed. Quite often, I'll wake up before the light reaches its full brightness, but it also beeps, which gives me security in case it doesn't. It's probably one of the best things I've bought in the past year." — Eleanor Vousden, beauty editor
I keep Neom's diffuser in my bedroom to help set the scene for a good night's sleep. With notes of lavender, basil and jasmine, it is incredibly relaxing and ensures my space feels calm and tranquil, which is exactly the kind of vibe I need before bedtime!
"I'm a big fan of This Works's Deep Sleep Pillow Spray. Every night, I spritz my pillows with the lavender-scented spray and honestly fall asleep so quickly." — Florrie Alexander, contributor
If I'm feeling stressed in the evening or need some help unwinding before I go to bed, I pour a healthy dose of this into my bath and turn off my phone. Instant relaxation!
"The Slip sleep mask is my go-to for a great night's sleep. It is so delicate and sensitive on my eyes that I wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and with no marks on my face. Plus, the mask blocks out all the light, helping me relax and fall asleep quickly." — Sophie Cookson, insights manager