Sleep. It’s a precious and vital resource. Sleep is essential to maintaining good health, energy and an overall sense of well-being. “Healthy sleep” means sleeping soundly, regularly and without interruptions or disturbances for seven to ten hours each night. But for many working parents like myself, getting proper rest is a challenge (to say the least).

I’m a mom to a five-year-old son who thinks waking me up at 5 a.m. to ask for a juice box is OK. I work full-time with long hours. I find myself wide-awake in bed, stressing over looming work deadlines, delayed trains, PTA commitments and just about everything I watch on the evening news.

Somehow, I still make it through the work day, with the help of three to four cups of coffee. When I pick up my son from school, I’m often a jittery mess. It’s clear to me: I need to find balance in my life, and I need to start with getting better sleep. 

While researching natural sleep aids, I came across several articles on the latest sleep technology. Some smart sleep devices track sleep pattern data like heart and respiration rate and sit on the bedside table or under the mattress. Another looks like a stylish bracelet and taps into the Earth’s natural frequencies to help increase melatonin, the hormone that controls the body’s sleep and wake cycles.

I’m a fan of any device that will help me get restful shuteye without any harsh side effects, and without looking like a clunky robot next to my bed! It’s good to know that the rise of sleep technology represents a growing demand for safe and natural sleep remedies.

I know I’m not alone in my quest for better sleep and wellness, so I put together a list of the best books, blogs and articles to complement smart sleep tech.

Sleep well!

Top 8 Books for Better Sleep and Enhanced Wellness

1.  Sleep Smarter: 21 Proven Tips to Sleep Your Way to a Better Body, Better Health and Bigger Success by Shawn Stevenson - Learn how sleep impacts the body,brain and performance, as well as real-world tools to recharge life through better sleep.

2. The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time by Arianna Huffington - Arianna explores America’s cultural dismissal of sleep and why “success” needs to be redefined through well-being to achieve a more fulfilling life.

3. The Promise of Sleep: A Pioneer in Sleep Medicine Explores the Vital Connection Between Health, Happiness, and a Good Night’s Sleep  - This is an in-depth look at the sleeping body and mnd, and the devastating health and societal consequences of poor sleep.

4. Master Your Sleep: Proven Methods Simplified by Tracey Marks - Dr. Tracey Marks explains how and why we sleep and explores the types and potential causes of sleep disruption. 

5. The Secret Life of Sleep by Kate Duff – Explore a mix of research, insightful narratives, insights and timely questions to better understand the value of sleep.

6. The Sleep Book: How to Sleep Well Every Night by Dr. Guy Meadows – This includes a five-week plan to help treat insomnia through a blend of mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques.

7. The Harvard Medical School’s Guide to a Good Night Sleep by Dr. Lawrence Epstein - Harvard Medical School's Dr. Lawrence Epstein reveals his proven six-step plan to help achieve a better night’s sleep for better, more energetic days.

8. The Secret World of Sleep: The Surprising Science of the Mind at Rest by Penelope A. Lewis - Understand the roles the sleeping brain plays during waking  hours help boost creativity, intelligence and improve overall health.

8 Best Blogs for Understanding Sleep and How It Impacts Overall Well-Being

1. Sleep.org

The National Sleep Foundation’s blog includes the latest sleep news and research to help educate the public on the importance of sleep health.

2. American Sleep Association

This features the latest sleep news and information to improve public health and awareness about the importance of sleep and the dangers of sleep disorders.

3. Sleepeducation.org

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s blog offers a wealth of sleep health information.

4. Sleep Junkies

Expect educational and insightful blog posts, interviews, feature articles, product reviews and news about the life-sustaining power of sleep.

5. Van Winkle’s

Find out how sleep affects and informs lives, both at night and during the day.

6. The Sleep Doctor

Dr. Michael J. Breus, a premier sleep disorder specialist, offers insightful articles on sleep disorders, how to sleep better, the nature of dreams and the relationship between sleep and productivity.

7. Better Sleep Blog

Read the latest articles, resources and tips on getting more restful sleep and how to address a full range of sleep problems.

8.The Sleep Council

Gain advice and tips on how to adopt healthier sleep habits and raise awareness of the importance of a good night’s sleep to improve health and well-being.

8 Articles on the Importance of Sleep, Better Sleep Habits and Sleep Technology               

1. “37 Science-Backed Tips for Better Sleep Tonight”

by Sarah Klein, Huffington Post

Scientifically-proven tips from sleep experts on how to address a variety of sleep problems

2. “How to Sleep”

by Dr. James Hamblin, The Atlantic

A physician’s guide to better sleep habits and the dangers of masking sleep problems with caffeine and other drugs

3. “Your All-Day Guide to Better Sleep”

by Abigail Abrams, Time

A detailed daily guide with tips on how to transform day and nighttime habits for a better night’s sleep

4. “What Sleep will be Like in 2020, 2030, and Beyond”

by Michael Q. Bullerdick, Van Wrinkle’s

Includes theories on how technology will shape the future of sleep

5. “How a Lack of Sleep Affects Your Body from Your Personality to How You Learn”

by Jakke Tamminen, The Independent

An in-depth look on how sleep deprivation can negatively alter personality, productivity, decision-making and the ability to learn

6.“There’s a Proven Link Between Effective Leadership and Getting Enough Sleep”

by Nick van Dam and Els van der Helm, Harvard Business Review

How sleep influences the ability to problem-solve, lead others and make decisions in the workplace

7. “Natural Ways to Get Better Sleep (Even if You’re a Mom!)”

by Katie Wells, Wellness Mama

Natural methods for improving sleep through proper nutrition, supplements and day and nighttime routines

8. “The Ultimate Guide to Sleep Tracking”

by Jeff Mann, Sleep Junkies

All about sleep tracking technology, including how it works, what it measures, and what the technology means for the future of sleep health

ABOUT PHILIP STEIN

Philip Stein is a wellness lifestyle brand striving to improve people's well being and quality of life through revolutionary technology in their high quality products with stylish design.

 ABOUT SLEEPENVIE

Sleepenvie is a Canadian online mattress-in-a-box and bedroom lifestyle brand that focuses on customization, convenience, and charitable contribution.

We make the mattress-buying process easy by delivering it directly to your door in one easy-to-handle compact box. We strongly believe in customizability, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. An easy one-minute quiz matches you to the ideal mattress for your lifestyle and sleep habits.

Check us out online at www.sleepenvie.com and on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest at @Sleepenvie. Sweet dreams!