Sleep is serious business. So serious, that lack of it costs the Australian government $66 billion every year.
There are, however, constant efforts from government, insurance companies, tech companies, and individuals to find new ways to ensure a better quality of sleep.
Some of these methods are traditional, while some are scientific.
Do you feel like you could benefit from some of the latest sleep trends? If so, read all about them here.
1. Adaptogens
The adaptogen buzz doesn’t look like it will be going away anytime soon.
At times, insomnia and disturbed sleep can be due to physical and chemical stress.
Adaptogens are plants and roots used in Chinese Ayurveda healing protocols. These work by helping the body resist or adapt to these stressors, and in turn, this allows you to enjoy a longer, deeper sleep.
An herb called ashwagandha is a rock star in as far as sleep-aiding Adaptogens go.
2. Binge Sleeping
With long 5 or 6 day work weeks, it might be impossible to get in the required hours of sleep each night. This leads to sleep debt.
Binge sleeping is a trend where people try to repay their sleep debt whenever they can.
A more drastic form of binge sleeping is taking a sleepcation.
While on vacation, travelers take time to explore and visit as many exciting places as they can.
On a sleepcation, you find a cozy resort where you can spend as much time sleeping as possible.
3. Tech-Backed Bedding
Technology has found its way into all corners of our lives, including our bedrooms.
With more and more studies into sleep and sleep aids, more and more companies are also turning to technology to find bedding that help to advance that cause.
One such example is the Ecosa bamboo bedding set. Made from 100% organic bamboo, what you get are luxurious, durable, hypoallergenic bedding.
When you are comfortable in your bed, you’re more likely to sleep better.
4. More Red Light In Bedrooms
The debate on blue light and its possible adverse health effects are still inconclusive.
In the meantime, however, red light is gaining popularity as a sleep aid.
Red light has been proven to have the least power to tamper with one’s circadian rhythm or suppress their melatonin.
Until the jury on the safety of blue light is out, red light is your safest bet yet.
5. Sleep Coaching And Consultancy Services
In the past, sleep coaching has been associated with infants and toddlers whose parents can’t get them on a regular sleep schedule.
Not anymore.
As research keeps finding more links between sleep, productivity, insurance claims, accidents, and health, sleep coaching services are now available for anyone.
While they charge a premium, there is hope that the prices will regulate themselves as more professionals join the field.
6. Sleeping To Heal
Sleep has healing powers.
With a deeper understanding of the restorative effects of sleep, more people are making a more concerted effort towards getting the required 7-8 hours of sleep a night.
This sleep duration is what experts agree the human body requires to heal itself.
Among the things adequate sleep does is boost the immune system, lessen symptoms of depression, and prevent a number of illnesses.
7. Yogic Sleep
People take yoga for different reasons.
One of yoga’s newer entrants is Yoga Nidra, which means yogic sleep. This form of yoga takes you through a five-step process geared at total mind and body relaxation.
While the goal is for you to remain conscious, this relaxation technique is said to be just as restorative as sleep, and indeed, participants do at times, fall asleep.
8. Sleep Trackers
While sleep trackers have been there for a while, they have mostly been wearables.
2019 is seeing more non-wearable sleep trackers that you can place on the side of your bed or under your mattress instead.
Trackers provide information into the quality of someone’s sleep. If you are falling below par, then you can look into how to make improvements.
Get Your Snoozes
You can look into and possibly try out some of these trends to see which ones will result in the most snoozes.
Ultimately, any investment you make towards sleep is an investment towards your health, productivity, and overall quality of life.
