“The Princess and the Pea” got one thing right: A bed might look alluring, but if the foundational pieces aren’t sound, you’re in for a rough night. Here are five products that can help secure an easier sleep—without buying a new mattress.
Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad
Mattress pads cushion the body and keep sheets in place—in addition to protecting against spills. A heated one eliminates those chilly first few moments on a cold night; this one comes with dual controls for each side of the bed.
Iluminage Pillowcase With Copper
Grandmas and ladies who lunch know: A silky pillowcase extends time between blowouts, thanks to its smooth texture. Beauty experts say it’s a powerful wrinkle-prevention tool, too. The copper oxide emedded in Iluminage’s fibers is meant to boost skin’s natural renewal process.
Sleep Master Sleep Mask
Don’t just throw on the freebie tossed your way on that last overseas flight. An effective mask like this fits snugly without squeezing and extends far enough down the face to block out the sun’s rays.
Sunn Light-Alarm App (iPhone and Android)
Rather than invite in a fierce burst of rays when you raise the blinds, a light-based alarm app such as Sunn wakes you by gradually brightening the bedroom as it mimics the intensity and color of the rising sun.
Sleep Cycle Sleep-Monitoring App (iPhone and Android)
Knowledge is one of your best tools when battling for better sleep. The Sleep Cycle app can monitor wakeful periods, keep track of each night’s patterns, and wake you at the best moment.
This article appears in the March 2016 issue of Washingtonian.
Hillary writes about interiors, real estate, arts, and culture. She is the former digital media editor of The New Republic, and her work has also been published in Glamour, The New York Times Book Review, and The Washington Post, among others. You can follow her on Instagram @hillarylouisekelly or on Pinterest @hlkelly.
