Get Ready For Bed Like A Sleep Editor: 9 Expert-Backed Tools For Your Nightly Routine

Sleep masks don’t typically meet my needs: I am a combination sleeper who spends part of the night on my stomach, and they often press uncomfortably up against my face. I also sleep hot, and these types of products tend to just worsen the problem. That said, the Therabody Sleep Mask has been a turning point for me. It’s breathable, comfortably cushioned and completely blocks out light. This last point is is especially important, per Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., a sleep medicine expert: “Sleep masks are one of the best investments you can make in your health,” he says, because “unfortunately, even the tiny amount of light from a nightlight is enough to trigger adrenaline release during sleep.” This adrenaline release can lead to a poorer-quality sleep overall.

The other benefit of this mask is its subtle and unobtrusive massager—it’s hardly noticeable even when I lie on my stomach. This is my favorite feature of the mask, and I use it several nights a week before bed. It even has a self-timer so it automatically turns off after around 20 minutes. Beyond leaving you feeling great, Teitelbaum says, there’s a distinct health benefit. “Studies show that facial massage can improve sleep and decrease next-day sleepiness by half,” he shares,“so it’s not surprising that combining the two [features in this mask] is beneficial."

In the same vein as a sleep mask, blackout curtains can hinder external light from street lamps, car headlights, neighboring buildings and similar from interrupting your sleep. I recently hung blackout curtains in my room to block the glow of a street lamp that surrounds my window, and it’s made a noticeable difference in my sleep latency and overall sleep quality. 

Echoing Teitelbaum, Purdy concurs that “when a room has light, our brains are alerted to be awake and more stimulated.” She expands that “darker rooms will help us relax and can trigger your brain to also relax. When we are relaxed, we are prone to get better sleep.”

I own the Hatch Restore 2 and use it every night before bed, but the brand has recently released the Restore 3, which boasts the same features with a few added upgrades and design changes. In addition to being a sunrise alarm clock that wakes you up more naturally by filtering in light gradually before your alarm officially goes off, it’s also a sound machine that can play relaxing noises at bedtime to help lull you to sleep. I drift off each night to the sounds of a crackling campfire, but you can customize the sound to your liking via the Hatch mobile app. 

Sound machines that play white noise, pink noise and the like can benefit sleep because “it's a consistent sound that helps dull out other noises that might disrupt sleep or make falling asleep more difficult,” says Purdy. “It can also create a habit that associates the sound with sleep so your brain is alerted that it is time for sleep.” 

Drowning out disruptive noises can be conducive to promote quality rest, and earbuds can help hush sounds like snoring, noisy neighbors or a loud cityscape. But not all earbuds are comfortable enough to fall asleep with. They can irritate your ear canals, slip out or feel too bulky to properly rest. I personally own the QuietOn earbuds, which have limited availability in the United States. However, the Ozlo Sleepbuds are a similar and highly rated pair of sleep headphones created by the minds of three ex-Bose engineers. These earbuds are specifically designed to be compact and comfortable for sleep, and boast advanced noise cancellation technology to block even the loudest sounds. 

Forbes Vetted audience development director Spencer Dukoff tested the Ozlo Sleepbuds and noted their impressive noise blocking, adding, “I’ve found that I need to remove these from my ears to hear what my wife is saying next to me before we go to sleep, even without any sounds playing in the buds.” He also praises their comfortable fit, and claims they stay put throughout most nights. If your partner’s loud snores or the bustling sounds of the city prevent you from falling asleep, these and other earbuds for sleep are a viable solution.  

When temperatures drop at night, especially during the cold seasons, the Cuddle Blanket by Cozy Earth is the ultimate retreat for softness and warmth. It’s made with 100% polyester and a faux fur finish. Designed with a “substantial weight,” according to the brand, it’s abnormally heavy for a throw blanket. This makes it slightly inconvenient to carry around, but rest assured that it doesn’t feel cumbersome or suffocating when it’s lying across your body.

Studies have shown that weighted blankets can be beneficial for your sleep quality, as they stimulate a deep pressure touch that triggers the release of serotonin and causes a decrease in cortisol. This helps ease stress and anxiety before bedtime. Keep in mind that weighted blankets are offered in a variety of different weights—typically 5, 10, 15 or 20 pounds—and the most optimal pick is around 10% of your body weight (or less, if you’re like me and prefer a lighter feel).

In general, there’s some evidence that baths can lead to better sleep by lowering your core body temperature, which is a key sign to your internal clock that it’s time for sleep. Dr. Echo Helen Messier, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical and science officer at Fountain Life, concurs with this research and says, “A pre-sleep warm bath controls core body temperature, which naturally increases melatonin levels and sleep onset.” 

Pair that with a magnesium product like the Vertly Epsom Bath Salts above, and you’re putting yourself in an even better position for premium rest. Magnesium can be a helpful mineral for sleep, as some studies show it has properties that promote relaxation, support melatonin production and reduce stress. Per Teitelbaum, “Soaking in a hot bath with 1 to 2 cups of magnesium salts (called Epsom salts) before bedtime will powerfully relax your muscles and induce sleep.”

Although experts aren’t fully convinced that topical magnesium application in small doses (like in lotions or soaps) is the most effective delivery of magnesium’s sleep-promoting properties, I like to apply the Beauty Sleep Body Cleanser from Drowsy during my bedtime showers and baths. It’s a magnesium-based soap enriched with seven essential oils for sleep including lavender. Its quantity of magnesium may be inconsequential to actually affect my quality of sleep, but I enjoy its spa-like scent during my pre-sleep ritual.

My husband introduced me to the chirp wheel after he began using it during his bedtime routine to stretch out his lower back, a common problem area for him. Now, I use it whenever I feel tightness in my back and shoulders, which is a weekly occurrence considering I work from home in an office chair five out of seven days a week. Rolling on the Chirp Wheel helps loosen my muscles at the end of a long day, promote relaxation and lengthens my back to prepare me for eight hours of lying down. 

The Chirp Wheel is ergonomically designed to apply pressure down your spine and is a more comfortable alternative to a foam roller, a popular tool used for self-myofascial release (SMR). SMR is a type of physical therapy that involves self-massage to relieve soreness, ease tension and improve blood circulation. A massage before bed is a natural and effective way to foster relaxation and set yourself up for a good night’s sleep, as research says a nighttime session can improve quality and quantity of rest in those with insomnia. There are also some studies that show SMR is a particularly beneficial sleep tool for those with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia. 

One major sleep accessory I recommend for a relaxing bedtime routine is an adjustable bed frame. Among other capabilities that vary depending on your model, an adjustable frame enables you to move the head and foot of your mattress up and down to adjust your sleep posture. By raising your head above your heart, you can improve circulation, reduce pressure on your nasal passageway and improve symptoms of snoring. This also makes it the perfect piece of furniture to enable an extra-comfortable setting for reading in bed, as studies show that reading before bed can have a noticeable impact on your quality of sleep. 

I have personally tried multiple adjustable bed frames from various companies and have found Sleep Number to stand out in its offerings. Its collection of adjustable frames and mattress bundles features an array of premium details like temperature controls, under-bed lights and much more, to suit a wide variety of sleepers. As an example, the ClimateCool Mattress with the FlexFit base recommended above is especially great for hot sleepers and couples who prefer different firmness levels to suit their sleep styles. Also worth considering is the Nectar Adjustable Frame for a more value-friendly pick. 

Journaling before bed can be helpful for when stress and anxiety keep you from getting rest. As you get out all the thoughts that may feel overwhelming or daunting and express them on paper, you can feel more organized and in control of your situation. Specifically, studies have found that positive affect journaling—in which you intentionally highlight positive experiences—can lead to decreased mental distress and better overall emotional outcomes. Beyond that, performing a short and specific burst of writing before bed to briefly organize one’s thoughts has been linked to faster rates of falling asleep.

I myself use a gratitude journal because, in past journaling experiences, I found myself writing about the negative events and stressful thoughts I had much more frequently than the happy and inspirational ones. This specific journal contains encouraging daily quotes and affirmations and includes spaces for you to write what you’re grateful or excited about.