The Best Products for Better Quality Sleep (2024)
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Every pilot knows being well rested for a trip is important. This is not always easy, however. Whether it be a busy day before a red-eye flight, or a noisy hotel on a layover, good sleep does not always happen. Caffeine can only help so much, and calling out fatigued is not always practical.
Lack of sleep for pilots is more than an annoyance. Pilot performance, and the safety of everyone on board, decreases. One study found that pilot errors on precision flight instruments doubled after only one night of sleep loss. Fatigue continues to be cited as a factor in aviation accidents, such as Colgan Flight #3407. In 2020, the NTSB added “reduction of fatigue related accidents” to its list of “Most Wanted” safety goals.
Part 121 airlines follow the strict Part 117 rest rules mandated by the FAA. Flight departments still find ways to squeeze every legal flight-hour out of flight crews. In April of 2021, Delta pilots begun picketing their fatiguing and poor quality schedules. A few months later, American Airlines’ pilots did the same, also citing lack of adequate accommodations for rest. Furthermore, charter pilots operating under Part 135 or Part 91 rules have less restrictive rest rules. General Aviation pilots have essentially no rest requirements.
Most pilots just push through. Some foreign air carriers allow in-cockpit napping, also called “controlled rest”. In the US, the FAA does not allow it. Some take melatonin when it’s time to sleep, others load up on caffeine.
Below is a list of products designed to help achieve better sleep. They can help during abnormal sleep times, noisy hotels, or an uncomfortable airplane. Focus on your sleep, for a better, more enjoyable trip.
Sleep Tracker with FitBit Versa 4
If you’re like us, we weren’t sure how the quality of our sleep was in the first place. Luckily, there are a variety of wearables to track sleep. Our favorite is the FitBit Versa 4. It offers a range of health and fitness features, including advanced sleep tracking capabilities. The watch uses a combination of heart rate monitoring, movement tracking, and machine learning algorithms to provide detailed insights into sleep quality and duration. One of the standout features of the Fitbit Versa 4 is its Sleep Score, which is a metric that provides an overall rating of sleep quality based on factors such as duration, restlessness, and heart rate variability.
In addition to Sleep Score, the Fitbit Versa 4 provides detailed information on specific aspects of sleep, such as the amount of time spent in each sleep stage (light, deep, and REM sleep) and the number of times the user wakes up during the night. The watch also offers personalized insights and tips for improving sleep based on individual sleep data.
MZOO Sleep Eye Mask
A sleep mask is a must for anyone who is sensitive to light or has trouble falling asleep in a bright room. The MZOO Sleep Eye Mask is comfortable and provides complete darkness to improve sleep quality. The mask is made from a soft and breathable material that feels gentle on the skin and doesn’t cause any discomfort. It features an adjustable strap that fits comfortably around the head, ensuring that the mask stays in place.
The standout feature of the MZOO Sleep Eye Mask is its unique 3D contoured design. It allows the mask to rest on the face without putting pressure on the eyes. This design also helps to prevent any light leakage, ensuring the wearer experiences only complete darkness.
The Calm App
We have been using the Calm app for over a year and were surprised how much we love it to help fall asleep. We love the huge variety of “soundscapes” to put on in the background as we drift away to sleep. Ocean waves, rainforest sounds, running water, heavy rain, or a campfire are some examples. We also listen to the app’s Sleep Stories, which are soothing, relaxing bedtime stories. Narrators with calming voices read them and help us unwind and fall asleep. The stories range from nature sounds to guided meditations, and they’re always unique.
The Calm app offers a range of other features that help promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. The app has a variety of guided meditations and breathing exercises. Users customize them to fit their individual needs. There is also a library of calming music to play as background noise while falling asleep. The app’s interface is easy to use and navigate, and the design is visually pleasing and soothing.
J-Pillow
As you may have read on other articles, the J-Pillow is one of our favorite products for traveling. It has proved an excellent investment for a frequent traveler like ourselves. The unique J-shape design of the pillow provides ample support for the head and neck, which is important during long flights or car rides. The pillow is made from a soft and breathable material, so it’s comfortable to use for extended periods of time.
We appreciate the versatility of the J-pillow, and use it in a variety of positions. We sleep sitting upright or leaning to one side. It is lightweight and easy to pack, which is a huge plus for anyone who values space in their luggage. After many years of use, it has held up extremely well with no signs of ripping or coming apart.
MagicTeam Sound Machine
Sometimes, it is too quiet. Or, there’s a noise that needs masking. Or, you crave that certain calming background noise to lull yourself to sleep. The Magicteam Sound Machine features a variety of soothing sounds, including white noise, fan sounds, and nature sounds. Adjustable volume settings allow us to set the perfect level of sound.
It is easy to use with a simple interface that allows for quick and easy adjustments. The compact size of the machine makes it easy to pack and travel with. Yet, it is worth noting that the sound quality of the machine may not be as high as some other models on the market.
QuietOn 3.1 Sleep EarBuds
The QuietOn 3.1 Sleep Earbuds are a great option for anyone looking for more advanced earplugs. The earbuds use active noise cancelling, making them perfect for light sleepers or a noisy hotel. The earbuds are comfortable to wear and fit snug in your ear. They are easy to use, with a simple touch-sensitive button that controls the noise-canceling function.
There are a few downsides to consider. Firstly, the battery life is relatively short, offering only up to 20 hours of use on a single charge. Some users have reported that the noise-canceling function can be too powerful, making it difficult to hear alarms or other important sounds. Finally, there is no bluetooth connectivity so you are not able to stream any music or sound from your phone.
If you do want earbuds with Bluetooth connectivity for streaming, check out the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II.
PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier
Allergens can have a significant impact on sleep quality and duration. When a person is exposed to an allergen, such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander, their immune system may react by releasing chemicals that cause inflammation and irritation. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, and itching, all of which can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Enter the Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier.
Despite its small size, the purifier is powerful and effective. It filters out pollutants, dust, and other particles from the air. The device uses a 2-stage air purification system with a True HEPA filter and activated carbon filter to capture 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. Additionally, the purifier features a UV-C light that helps to kill germs and bacteria. It has simple controls and a quiet fan that won’t disrupt sleep or other activities.
Dodow Sleep Aid Device
The last device on our list is reportedly hit or miss, from many users. The DODOW Sleep Aid Device is a unique device that uses a pulsing blue light to help calm the mind and promote relaxation. For some people, this device can be very effective at helping them fall asleep fast and improving sleep quality. The device is easy to use and the gentle pulsing light can be adjusted to match individual breathing patterns, which can help to create a more relaxing and calming environment. Additionally, the device is small and portable, making it easy to take on trips.
But the DODOW Sleep Aid Device may not be effective for everyone. Some people may find the light too distracting or stimulating, which can actually make it harder to fall asleep. Additionally, the device may not be effective for individuals with more severe sleep problems, such as insomnia or sleep apnea.
