Getting the best possible night’s sleep can often be a tough task. And that’s if you’re sleeping in a dark room. But, unwanted disturbances can be a serious cause for not relaxing into your recommended hours, whether you’re trying to sleep in a well-lit place or there’s passing traffic that never stops. A highly effective way to encourage a better sleep experience is with one of the best sleep masks.
By blocking out both natural and artificial light, sleep masks can induce and maintain a deeper sleep with an increased amount of REM time. This has been known to enhance the educational and emotional areas of the brain. Here are some alternative uses for a sleep mask that you may not have thought of:
Travel – Time spent commuting can often be better spent by resting, especially on long-haul flights or trains. Reserve yourself a comfy seat, pop on your sleep mask and use your travel time for snoozing as you’re transported from A to B.
Meditation – Closing your eyes is often associated with yoga and meditation practice, and using a sleep mask can be a little helping hand in this process. Weighted sleep masks have also been known to be particularly effective for relaxation.
Recovery – Your sleep mask can be of great help when it comes to giving your eyes a rest both before and during sleep. It’s likely you spend a lot of your day looking at screens and being exposed to blue light, which can be damaging to your eyes. However, most sleep masks are able to completely eliminate light interference and give your eyes a rest from the environment around you. There are also certain styles that focus on treating the skin around your eyes by using different materials and temperatures.
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Why not try one of these sleeping masks and enjoy an improved rest? If your only experience with a sleeping mask is the cheaper freebies available from a hotel or airline welcome pack, it may be time to look again. Check out these intelligently designed options made for truly deep sleep.
1. MZOO Sleep Mask
BEST OVERALL
With nearly 45,000 reviews and a 4.5-star rating, the MZOO Sleep Mask is the most popular product of its kind on Amazon. Available in four dark colors and made of light-soaking material, this mask can be color-matched to your pajamas and offer total darkness while you sleep. Additionally, the ergonomically designed padded rings around the eyes are curved to suit the shape of the average face and ensure a snug fit for the most comfortable sleeping experience.
2. Fitglam Natural Silk Sleep Mask
BEST VALUE
This lightweight Fitglam Sleep Mask is made from 100% mulberry silk to provide an enjoyable fit. The ultra-breathable material combines with the fully adjustable head strap to ensure maximum comfort, while the full eye coverage means you’re in for a night free from any external stimulation. The eyelashes are a cute touch.
3. J JIMOO Sleep Mask
BEST SILK MASK
For a cooling sleep, the J JIMOO Sleep Mask is a great choice. Made of 100% mulberry silk, it’s super soft on skin and has a luxurious finish. The adjustable strap is suitable for heads from 18.5 to 27.5 inches around, and the mask features an easy-glide buckle to avoid tangling your hair. Plus, this accessory is available in eight different colors, so you can select your mask to suit your sleep style.
4. Optix 55 Gel Eye Mask
BEST MEDICAL MASK
Offering a slight twist on a traditional sleep mask, the Optix 55 Gel Eye Mask can be heated or frozen to provide treatment for the area around your eyes. Warming the mask is best suited for reducing swelling, whereas cooling it is great for treating puffy eyes. The small gel balls inside the mask move to adapt to the shape of your face for a comfortable wear. For a less intense treatment, you can also cool your mask in the fridge rather than the freezer. But, if you opt for heating it up in the microwave, be sure to let it rest until it’s reached a warm-to-touch, face-friendly temperature.
5. Jersey Slumber Sleep Mask
MOST LUXURIOUS
Indulge in the Jersey Slumber Sleep Mask for a super comfortable and luxurious-feeling night’s sleep. The best part of this mask is that it’s priced at under $10. Made of 100% silk and designed for a blink-friendly oversized fit, this mask is a comfy choice for everyone, whether you have a big or small face. The mask features an adjustable head strap and is available in five colors, too.
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6. Bedtime Bliss Contoured & Comfortable Sleep Mask
HONORABLE MENTION
Contoured and lightweight, this sleep mask won’t press on your face. It blacks out the light while leaving just enough space to open your eyes, an essential for people with active REM sleep. It’s made from durable materials and comes with Moldex earplugs.
7. Unimi Contoured 3D Eye Mask
ALSO CONSIDER
The cupped eye design of the Unimi 3D Eye Mask means that your eyes are always free from pressure while the larger area helps to completely remove any external light and allows light sleepers to enjoy an uninterrupted rest. The cup material also contains two layers, a foam layer to provide maximum comfort for the wearer and an anti-fade, anti-bacterial and anti-mite layer to keep your mask clean.
8. Happy Wraps Lavender Eye Pillow
BEST SCENTED
Not only for providing a great night’s sleep, but this Happy Wraps Lavender Eye Pillow is also a silk eye mask that relieves stress whenever it’s applied. The silky soft fabric is filled with organic flax seed and lavender flowers for a mini aromatherapy session. And its relaxation-inducing elements make it the perfect addition to your yoga workouts or meditation sessions in order to allow greater focus. Furthermore, this eye pillow can be used hot or cold depending on your mood.
9. ALASKA BEAR Sleep Mask
BEST SET WITH EAR PLUGS
Care for both your ears and eyes with the ALASKA BEAR Sleep Mask. The astrology-inspired mask comes with a pair of ALASKA BEAR earplugs to bring you an improved level of sleep. There will be no light or sound interference while you’re using this set. Featuring a molded 3D design, pressure-reducing nose curve and an adjustable head strap, this sleep mask is committed to comfort.
10. Mavogel Sleep Mask
BEST COTTON MASK
The five layers of breathable fabrics used in the Mavogel Sleep Mask offer total darkness and a comfortable airflow. The front panel is available in grey or black and is covered in a soft cotton material. This sleep mask is a firm favorite among customers with nearly 30,000 reviews and a 4.5-star rating on Amazon. Additionally, the thick strap is adjustable to suit heads from 19 to 29 inches.
11. Premium Lavender Silk Eye Pillow
BEST FOR YOGIS
A product designed by the very people who understand peace and relaxation — yoga and meditation gurus — this Premium Silk Eye Pillow allows you to adjust its weight and feel to exactly what you know is best for you. The flexible muslin bag can have buds, seeds or anything you like added to produce your desired weight. Furthermore, the internal lavender and flax seeds create a relaxing aromatherapy feel. This mask also comes with a free second gel mask to soothe and relieve tension from the area around your eyes, especially after a long day at the office.
12. Manta Sleep Mask
BEST BLACKOUT
The slightly unusual and chunky design of the Manta Sleep Mask makes it great at blocking out light compared to some other slim designs. With adjustable eyecups, this mask can adapt to suit the shape of your face, ensuring a firm fit for total darkness to encourage a night of deep sleep. Although these eyecups are sturdy in appearance, they’re also lightweight and offer weightless wear as you nod off.
13. FRESHME Sleep Mask
BEST HEADBAND
With an ability to block out both light and sound, the FRESHME Sleep Mask comfortably covers your eyes and can be positioned to cover your ears, too. Its wider-than-usual band continues all the way around the head, rather than reducing to a smaller band. This also helps prevent hair friction against your pillow. The design of this sleep mask also makes it great for travel when you’d prefer not to rest your head against a seat where lots of other people have recently been sitting.
14. RENPHO Eye Massager Mask
BEST SPLURGE
The RENPHO Eye Massager Mask offers heated recovery for your eyes from time spent concentrating on screens or studying. The hard exterior shell encompasses six smart massage airbags, which accurately focus on acupoints around your eyes. Thanks to the smart, 180-degree foldable design, this mask is great for taking with you on your travels to encourage the best sleep and eye recovery wherever you are.
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