Image via Complex Original
In 2011, the National Sleep Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to wake "America to the importance of sleep," conducted a study that found a strong correlation between poor sleeping habits and the use of technology before bed. Out of the nearly 1,600 people polled, 63% said they had trouble sleeping. Coincidentally, 95% of the participants said they surfed the net, watched TV, or texted on their phone before going sleep. We're not disputing the Foundation's findings—watching TV and checking Twitter before bed may indeed inhibit your rest—but we've managed to find some pieces of technology made to help you get a great night's sleep.
Rise Alarm App
Buy It Now: $2, Apple App Store
The Rise Alarm app is a gorgeous alarm clock that will help you get up during those groggy mornings when you absolutely have to use an alarm. It is designed to be easy: a simple swipe will turn off your alarm, one click and you can give yourself another five minutes of sleep. Might as well cut yourself a break to start off your day.
Philips Wake-Up Light
Buy It Now: $100, Philips
What's the most peaceful way to wake up? When the sunlight slowly peaks in through your curtains while it rises-not having an alarm startling you the first thing in the morning. The Philips Wake-Up Light is based on the concept of the sun rising: in the morning, the lamp's light increases its brightness to help you get out of bed, gently. It also has a clock radio to give you that extra push to get up.
White Noise App
Buy It Now: Free, Apple App Store; Google Play Store
When you're lying in bed at night trying to catch some sleep, it's easy to become distracted by all the noises you wouldn't normally notice during the day. The beeps of electronics, the sound of car engines zooming down the street, or the bark of a dog from a few doors down-all of it can end up keeping you from falling asleep. With the White Noise app, you control your room's ambiant sounds and use them to drown out everything else. The app comes with 40 looping sounds like cats purring, ocean waves crashing, or the white noise of a television. Just enough noise to bring you some peace.
Chillow
Buy It Now: $13, Chillow
Have you ever caught yourself turning your pillow around to get the soothing feeling that comes from placing your face on its cold side? Chillow knows you do. Activate the Chillow pillow when you're ready to go to sleep, and the pillow will drop its temperature ever so slightly to reach a cool relaxation level to help you fall asleep.
F.lux Screen Dimmer
Buy It Now: Free, Stereopsis
Give your eyes a break alread. With the F.lux Screen Dimmer, your monitor will automatically adjust it's brightness to the time of day. The later it is in the day, the lower the tint of your monitor will be, and the earlier in the day, the more the tint will fade. If you want to see how your monitor will look, F.lux has a preview option that shows you what the dimming will look like. Surf the net guilt free at 2 a.m. without giving your eyes too much of a workout.
Sound Oasis Sound Therapy Pillow
Buy It Now: $50, Sound Oasis
Not the type for pillows with cool temperatures? How about one with music? The Sound Oasis Sound Therapy Pillow has two speakers built inside that will play your favorite music at a low level to help you drift off into dream land. It's a much better alternative to falling asleep with earbuds in your ear, or playing music from your laptop, which you'll probably break from trying to fumble around with it in the dark to lower the volume.
Relax Completely
Buy It Now: Free, Apple App Store; Google Play Store
Hypnotherapy is famous for putting people to sleep. So why not have your very own hypnotherapist at your disposal? Relax Completely is a free app that uses recordings from British hypnotherapist Darren Marks to help guide you into a deep sleep. It promises total relaxation-and, somehow, even better sex.
Glo Nightlight
Buy It Now: $80, ThinkGeek
Have a big room, but haven't gotten over the whole "monsters under your bed" thing? It's okay, use the Glo Nightlight and it's detachable Glowing Balls (that's really what they're called), and place them anywhere you want to get that peaceful glow you're looking for. They don't get hot, are durable, and their glow lasts about thirty minutes-just enough time for you to fall asleep. Unless the monsters get you first.
Zeo Sleep Manager Mobile
Buy It Now: $100, Amazon
Zeo's Sleep Manager Mobile uses a wireless rechargable headband to read your brain waves. Yes, that's right. Your brain waves. Place it on your head while you sleep, and it collects data, then transmits it to your phone or tablet so you can review the results in the morning. Zeo will give you a sleep score that measures ratios of deep sleep, REM activity, wake time, and times woken, all to help you decide if you need to make some changes to maximize your sleep.
Pillow Talk Pillows
Buy It Now: TBD, Little Riot
Sometimes, getting to sleep is just a mental thing. Say, when you're used to sleeping next to your better half, but traveling has left you two apart for a long period of time, it could be difficult getting used to sleeping alone. The Pillow Talk Pillow set is here to help ease the situation. It's a set of two wireless pillows that will light up when your partner lays on the opposite pillow. So, when you're honey lays down on her pillow, your pillow will light up when her head is on her pillow. In turn, the pillow will transmit your real-time heartbeat to your partner. It's not as good as having them there, but it's bette than nothing.
