Latest news with #sleepcoach
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The best headphones for sleeping in 2025: Tested, reviewed and sleep-coach-approved
The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults log between seven and nine hours of sleep every night. But for many reasons, research shows that as many as 35% of us aren't getting the sleep we need. If it's noise keeping you awake, you might consider investing in the best sleep headphones to help quiet your environment so you can get some rest. Admittedly, there isn't much research on the sleep headphones, but some limited evidence suggests they might improve sleep quality. Ross Cushing, a clinical audiologist and CEO of Live Better Hearing + Balance is on board with giving them a try, but he cautions that you should remain mindful of the volume and be cognizant of the potential dangers of noise-canceling units. "While you're blocking the sounds that could keep you awake, you may not hear alarms, a baby crying or someone entering your home," he says. Ultimately, the best sleep headphones will mitigate ambient noise (and maybe even light, depending on the style you purchase), be comfortable to wear and offer the functionality you're looking for, whether that's a low-tech or high-tech approach. To find the best headphones for sleeping, I spoke with experts in the fields of audiology and sleep science, then I used their feedback and my own expertise (as a certified sleep coach) to identify top products worth testing. I tested 11 units, assessing them based on ease of use, comfort, sound quality, functionality, effectiveness and budget. Here you'll find the products that made the cut (and a few that didn't quite measure up). The best overall headphones for sleeping More headphones for sleeping we like Types of headphones for sleeping Factors to consider when choosing headphones for sleeping How we tested FAQs Other headphones we tested Meet our experts Updated July 11, 2025: We updated prices and checked stock for all products. Our best budget pick is more than 40% off for Amazon Prime Day right now. Related: If sleeping with headphones isn't your thing, take a look at our roundup of the best earplugs for sleeping, or our list of the best white noise machines if you like falling asleep to nature or other sounds. If you want to try one of the best sleep aids you can take without a prescription, we have a list for that too. For those who need their sleeping space to be pitch dark, check out our lists of the best blackout curtains and shades and the best sleep masks. Track and improve your sleep hygiene with one of the best sleep trackers. We've also rounded up lists of the best alarm clocks, including alarm clocks for heavy sleepers, and a list of the best sunrise alarm clocks that help you wake up more naturally. (back to top) (back to top) One of the first steps in choosing the best headphones for sleep is familiarizing yourself with your options. Here's a quick look at the different types of sleep headphones on the market. This type of sleep headphone features speakers that fit inside the ear canal. In-ear headphones are usually smaller and lighter than over-the-ear or on-ear headphones and are typically available in wired or wireless options. These headphones sit on top of your head and completely cover your ears. They're an excellent choice for blocking ambient noise and can offer higher sound quality, but can be quite bulky and unsuitable for side sleepers. Just as their name implies, headband headphones fit around your head. Meanwhile, mask/headband combos kill two birds with one stone and come down over your eyes to create a blackout effect. These sleep headphones don't require the precise fit that sleep earbuds require, and Velcro fasteners make them universally sized. Keeping comfort in mind, the manufacturers of sleep headbands and mask headbands tend to opt for soft, breathable fabrics that are washable. Unlike in-ear headphones that rest inside the ear canal, earbuds rest on the outer ear. While they may seem counterintuitive to the tossing and turning that goes with side sleeping, many manufacturers design them with silicone grips and foam tips to ensure a secure fit. Most earbuds are too small to include active noise cancellation, so they typically don't do a great job of blocking ambient sound. (back to top) When looking for sleep headphones, Cushing says, "You'll want to choose headphones specifically designed for sleep — ideally soft, flat earphones that don't cause discomfort or undue pressure on your ears." He notes that bulky headphones can be annoying, and some earbuds may pose additional risks, such as discomfort and ear canal injuries, ultimately leading to disrupted sleep, which is the opposite of what you want. When searching for the best sleep headphones, consider key points such as comfort, sound quality, battery life and price. When bedtime restlessness prompts you to seek alternative solutions for better sleep, uncomfortable sleep headphones can do more harm than good. Shelby Harris, a clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep medicine and director of Sleep Health at Sleepopolis suggests you choose headphones specifically made for sleep. She adds that some of the key features to look for are: A small footprint Wireless design Soft headbands Lightweight, breathable materials to avoid overheating and skin irritation Finding the right fit is crucial, especially for side sleepers. When shopping for earbuds, opt for a slim profile and snug fit with silicone or foam ear tips that soften pressure points. For headbands or eye mask/headband combos, look for ultra-slim speakers that can be moved or repositioned. While most sleep headbands aren't known for their crisp sound, Harris says sound quality still matters. More specifically, she says, "Poor audio can be disruptive rather than relaxing." I can attest to this because I found the Sleep Phones by Acoustic Sheep particularly annoying while testing the items on this list. The headband felt flimsy compared to the others, and the sound quality was disappointing. The music wasn't so crisp, and after about 15 minutes, it became even more muddled — like a Walkman with dying batteries circa 1988. Instead of relaxing and drifting off to sleep, I found myself lying there annoyed, thinking about how bad the sound was. None of the sleep headphones I tested offered active noise cancellation, likely because they're too small for the feature. However, you're not out of luck. Many options on our list include a form of noise mitigation, usually passive noise cancellation (PNC) or colored noise/sound masking. As mentioned earlier, PNC is a physical way to block out noise. Examples include over-ear headphones that completely cover the ear to help block sound or an earbud's silicone or foam tips that help seal off the ear canal. Sound masking is another way sleep headphones can help improve your sleep experience. The definition of sound masking is right there in its name — you're using one sound (usually colored noise) to drown out ambient noise in your sleep environment. The SoundOff earbuds, for instance, use pink noise, but other colored noises like green, white and violet have gained popularity in recent years for improving sleep. Harris explains, "White noise can help you sleep better by covering up sudden noises, like traffic or noisy neighbors. This steady sound creates a peaceful environment, making it easier to relax and fall asleep." She adds that white noise can be especially helpful if you're a light sleeper or you live in a loud environment, like a city or a large apartment complex. You just need to make sure the noise stays consistent all night so its presence (or lack thereof) doesn't also disturb your sleep. All the items we tested for this roundup were wireless, with battery life varying across models. Clearly, you're going to want an option that won't lose its charge halfway through the night. Given that the American Academy of Sleep Science recommends that adults get seven to nine hours of sleep a night, you're going to want a battery life at least that long. Fortunately, most of the sleep headphones on our list have a battery life of 10 hours, with some maintaining their charge up to 20 hours. While researching sleep headphones for this roundup, we found that some options were pretty pricey. In fact, five of the nine we tested were north of $100, and only one was under $30. So, as with any product, it's crucial to keep pricing in mind. You spend a third of your life in bed sleeping or trying to sleep, so if there's anything worth investing in, it's something that'll help you move the needle on your sleep health. That said, make sure the headphones you choose are a good value for your needs — just because something is more expensive or less expensive doesn't mean it's the right or wrong solution for you. Consider your personal preferences, sleep position and budget as you select your preferred product. (back to top) As a Certified Sleep Science Coach who spends my days writing about all things sleep, I brought personal and professional expertise to this review. For additional expert input, I spoke with Ross Cushing, a clinical audiologist and CEO of Live Better Hearing + Balance, and Shelby Harris, a clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep medicine and the director of Sleep Health at Sleepopolis. With the expert's advice and my personal and professional experience in hand, I took a spin around the internet to see which sleep headphones people are talking about the most. I ended up choosing to test the nine products included here. After receiving the products for testing, I worked with one set of headphones each night. I assessed factors like ease of setup, comfort, sound quality, functionality and effectiveness (my dog's snoring was a good barometer!). Digging a bit deeper, I also looked at what type of noise cancellation or noise masking each unit offered, if any. I played with the volume to see if my husband could hear anything from his side of the bed, and of course, I tinkered with the devices' apps (where applicable). To assess the sound quality, I listened to the same classical playlist with each set of sleep headphones. (back to top) "Yes, it is safe to use headphones for sleep as long as they are designed for comfort and the volume is low and reasonable," says Cushing. While he notes that "noise-canceling headphones, specifically, do a great job of blocking out environmental sounds and creating a quieter environment for sleep," he cautions users to make sure they fit well and don't cause any discomfort around pressure points. While regular headphones can do the same thing as sleep headphones, there's one key difference between the two — regular headphones aren't made for sleeping. For example, if we look at Bose QuietComfort Headphones, Apple AirPods Max or Apple AirPods, they're either too big and bulky or not ergonomically designed to stay put while you move around during the night. Sure, these headphones can deliver sleep sounds, sleep stories or whatever playlist you choose to lull you to sleep, but if you're unlikely to sleep perfectly still on your back for 8 hours straight, these are unlikely to still be in or on your ears when you wake up in the morning. The process for cleaning sleep headphones largely depends on their type and brand. From our roundup, most mask-headphone combos can be washed as needed — just remember to remove the internal electronics before doing so. While you can clean your sleep earbuds, the process is limited to moistening a cotton swab with alcohol and gently wiping the earbuds and rubber tips. Every set of sleep headphones is different, so you should read the cleaning instructions for whichever sleep headphones you purchase. (back to top) 1MORE Sleeping Earbuds Z30: These earbuds essentially do the same thing as the SoundCore A20, but there was a big difference in fit. While the left side of these earbuds fit flush in my ear, the right one didn't. No matter how much I wiggled and messed with it, it never sat flush in my ear, making me think that ear anatomy matters. Otherwise, these earbuds were fine. The sound quality was good, the setup was easy and the app was easy to navigate. SleepPhones: As I mentioned earlier, these were my least favorite of the bunch. The build quality left much to be desired — the headband felt flimsy and the fabric was rough against my skin. Performance-wise, the headband had no staying power, slipping off easily, and the sound quality was disappointing. It also performed the worst at noise masking. Considering the $100 price tag, they just don't offer a good value. LC Dolida Sleep Headphones: These headphones are another quick-ship, budget-friendly option that's decent in every way (fit, feel and sound quality). They're good but nothing to write home about. One big plus for this pair is the molded eye mask that nicely blocks out ambient light. They're also machine washable. That said, there are questionable construction issues including the choice of material that lacks breathability and the fact that the product is marketed as "one size fits all." With no ability to customize the fit, this may be a wild-card purchase for some people. (back to top) Ross Cushing, AuD, clinical audiologist and CEO of Live Better Hearing + Balance Shelby Harris, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep medicine and director of Sleep Health at Sleepopolis (back to top) We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria. Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
Forbes
05-07-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Fall Asleep In Five Minutes Or Less With These 8 Surprising Strategies
If you have trouble falling asleep, learn eight tips that experts say can help you to fall asleep in ... More five minutes or less. Sleep is one of those things we often take for granted. Yet it's the foundation for our mental and physical health, job performance and career success. Odds are you're part of the whopping 52% of Americans who say work stress interferes with sleep. If you're having trouble falling asleep or not getting enough, that can spell trouble. Sleep experts suggest eight strategies to fall asleep in five minutes or less when your mind is wide awake but your body has called it quits. 8 Strategies To Fall Asleep In Five Minutes Studies show that if you don't get enough sleep, you're at greater risk of heart attack or stroke, and your risk of death from heart disease more than doubles. Lack of sleep is linked to depression, impaired immune system function, weight gain, hypertension and Type 2 diabetes. Sleep deprivation makes you grumpy and more likely to nod off at your desk. Sleep experts advocate midday power naps at work to reset your brain and recharge your batteries for the remainder of the day. Research shows that a good night's sleep supports brain health, clearing away the plaques--one of the six factors that can prevent cognitive decline. If your mind is still wide awake long after your body has called it quits, Rosie Osmun, certified sleep science coach at Amerisleep, reveals eight unexpected strategies you can use before you hit the hay to catch more z's, claiming some work in less than five minutes. "Breathing patterns play a significant role in our autonomic nervous system," Osmun says, recommending the 4-7-8 breathing method as a highly effective technique: "Place the tip of your tongue against the ridge behind your upper teeth, exhale completely, then inhale through your nose for four counts. Hold your breath for seven counts, and exhale slowly through your mouth for eight counts," she explained. Osmun notes that this method can calm the nervous system in just a few cycles, making it ideal for those looking to fall asleep quickly. Complete darkness is essential for triggering your body's natural sleep response, according to Osmun. "Our ancestors slept in completely dark environments, and our bodies still respond best to these conditions." She recommends removing all sources of light from the bedroom, including electronic devices that emit blue light. "Even small amounts of light from phones or alarm clocks can disrupt melatonin production and make falling asleep much harder," Osmun added. Osmun points to research showing that cooler temperatures significantly improve sleep quality and reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. 'Setting your bedroom temperature between 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit creates ideal conditions for sleep.' She explains that body temperature naturally drops as part of the sleep cycle, and a cooler room helps facilitate this process. 'Taking a warm bath about 30 minutes before bed can amplify this effect, as your body temperature will drop more dramatically afterward.' One surprising technique involves doing the opposite of trying to fall asleep. "When you try too hard to sleep, it often backfires," Osmun points out. 'Instead, try to stay awake with your eyes open while lying comfortably in bed.' She explains that this reduces sleep anxiety and performance pressure that many insomniacs experience. "By removing the pressure to fall asleep, many people find they drift off much faster," she adds. For those whose minds race at bedtime, Osmun recommends purposeful visualization. "Instead of worrying about tomorrow's meetings or replaying today's events, visualize yourself in a peaceful setting like a beach or forest." She adds this technique breaks the cycle of rumination that keeps many people awake. "The key is to focus on sensory details in your imagined scene—the sounds, smells and feelings—to fully engage your mind." Osmun refers to research that consuming simple carbohydrates four hours before bedtime can improve sleep quality. "White rice appears particularly effective at promoting faster sleep onset." But she cautions against eating too close to bedtime when digestive discomfort can counteract any potential sleep benefits. Finding the proper mattress firmness for your specific sleep position can dramatically reduce the time it takes to fall asleep, according to Osmun. "Side sleepers typically need a softer surface to relieve pressure points, while back and stomach sleepers benefit from firmer support." The sleep expert emphasized that becoming fixated on falling asleep quickly often backfires. "The average person needs 15-20 minutes to fall asleep naturally," Osmun says. 'Watching the clock and worrying about not falling asleep fast enough creates a cycle of anxiety that keeps you awake.' She recommends removing timepieces from view and accepting that the process takes time. A Final Wrap On Strategies To Fall Asleep In Five Minutes Sleep deprivation affects millions of Americans, with approximately 70 million people suffering from chronic sleep problems according to health authorities. Consistent sleep habits are the foundation for falling asleep quickly. Going to bed at the same time and getting up at the same time keeps your body regulated and make sit easier to fall asleep. Many sleep experts like brain scientist, Jill Bolte Taylor, recommend sleeping until your brain wants to get up. Taylor told me that if you're not sleeping until your brain wakes you up, then you're not getting enough sleep. 'One of the worst things we can do is have an alarm,' Taylor insists. "A typical sleep cycle runs between 90 and 110 minutes, so if you're forcing yourself to get up in the middle of a cycle, then you just blew a whole cycle of rejuvenation for your brain. Sleep is about rejuvenating the brain." Taylor describes how brain cells are constantly working. They eat and create waste, and sleep is the optimal time for the waste to be cleared out between the cells so they can actually function. 'I compare it to when the garbage collectors go on strike, we know how congested the streets become,' she states. Each night before bedtime, take a chill pill (such as meditation, listening to soft music or reading an inspirational book) instead of a sleeping pill to relax your mind. As you put your mind at ease, your sleep—in the words of William Shakespeare—will mend your raveled sleeve, helping you fall asleep in five minutes.
Sky News
17-06-2025
- Health
- Sky News
'I get paid to cuddle babies and help hundreds of women give birth - this is my best advice for expectant parents'
If you've ever spent your morning commute daydreaming about starting afresh with your career, this feature is for you. Each week, our Money team speaks to someone from a different profession to discover what it's really like. Today we chat to maternity doula Trudi Dawson... There is no typical day for a doula... which is part of the beauty of the role. Some doulas work every day. For example, I am also an infant feeding specialist, sleep coach and antenatal teacher. So every day, I am working on something to do with someone having a baby! If I am on call for a birth, I will be keeping a close eye on my phone day and night; I could be asked to go and be with a family at short notice. When I have a postnatal doula client, I will usually be with them during school hours, which works well around my family. Doula costs vary... depending on experience and location. A family might only need some birth preparation sessions, virtual support or full birth and postnatal services. Sometimes, postnatal clients just want help settling at home (which is usually charged by the hour), and others would like regular hours over a period of months. Doulas can charge whatever works. Doulas tend to be a... very supportive and collaborative bunch. Particularly when being part of an organisation like Doula UK. Often, doulas work in pairs, either with a backup doula or partnering to make sure a family is never let down. I have never had two clients go into labour together, but I have been at two births within 24 hours, which was a great day! When I am booked for postnatal doulaing in advance of the baby being born, I have to be very careful what other clients I put in around that time. It can be a bit of a juggling act but we get very good at it and make sure that, if we've committed to be with you, we will move heaven and earth to fulfil that promise I teach... antenatal, offer home visits for feeding issues and sleep, plus I support at an NHS breastfeeding clinic, so my clients run into the hundreds. Other doulas might only attend births and do as little as two or three a year. It's a very flexible job that you can scale up and scale down to suit. Doula UK members are required to submit an annual return of how many clients they've worked with so that we can know exactly how many families they have supported. It's rising every year, I'm pleased to say. Some of the best perks are... the freedom of who I work with and when I work. I am in charge of my own time and that makes me really happy and works well for my family. I'll be honest, there aren't many freebies, although I have been given some really fantastic presents by my clients, which is always so lovely. I'm usually crying tears of joy... I'm not often crying outright, but I do get a huge emotional lift from my job. The connection I feel with my clients is incomparable to any other relationship. It's very special and unique, and I am always so honoured to be a part of the family for that short time. I often get to share in a woman's first moments as a mum, I get to see her experience her baby's first smile, and sometimes she'll confide in me at her most vulnerable or happy moments. I'd honestly find it a challenge to think of any other job that does all that. The biggest problem in UK maternity care services is... funding, obviously. But also, I think there is a societal misunderstanding and huge underestimation of the role of birth and bonding in long-term health outcomes. I honestly believe that we could change the world both in terms of physical health and economic wealth if society and the maternity care services were set up to support birth and bonding. But don't start me ranting, I'll be here all day! British women are not well looked after in the UK... I think society just doesn't honour the child birthing years and their impact as much as it should. But, while I'm here, I think women's issues in general are under-represented, under-researched and under-funded. I think it all starts right at the beginning with our own birth stories. I don't get clingy clients... being a doula is a real chemistry thing and we often talk about the right jobs finding us. I usually tell someone looking for a doula to look beyond experience and price and go with who they really get on with. This works both ways, so the relationship usually just works okay at the very least. More often, though, you end up working with someone you get on so well with. Some of my clients have ended up friends. Perhaps I'm the clingy doula! My toughest interaction with a client was when I... doula'd for a woman who knew her baby had passed away already. It was incredibly tough, but also one of the most amazing births I have ever supported. It was deeply powerful and life-affirming, and I was so honoured to be able to support her at such a unique and impressionable time. I definitely cried at that one. The first birth I ever attended as a bona fide doula after my training... will always stay with me. I was so nervous and felt such a huge sense of imposter syndrome. It was an amazing birth and I'm so lucky my first couple were so trusting and made it such a wonderful experience for me. More and more people are realising... the power of a well-supported birth. And that, sadly, sometimes the only way to ensure that support is to outsource it. That isn't the same as ensuring a particular type of birth (doulas support ALL births), but our support is continuous, assured and personalised, always. At Doula UK, we've noticed a year-on-year increase in families choosing to birth with a doula or use a doula after the birth for postnatal support at home. I've also noticed much more collaboration with maternity services on the whole, which is wonderful. We're all supporting the same thing and to work together will only benefit the families. To people who think doulas are a waste of money... I'd probably save the talking for some of my previous clients. Some of whom had their first baby without a doula, and so can compare experiences. I'm confident not one of my previous clients in the last 19 years would consider me a waste of money. To be fair though, before I had my first baby, my sister had a doula and I thought it was all a bit weird when she told me I should have one. I had my baby and regretted it entirely! For my third baby, despite having been a doula for eight years by then, I had two doulas. So greedy! I like to think of doulas as a... blank canvas, we will provide whatever it is that that family needs. We come with no preconceived notions of what is right or wrong. We help the couple decide what's right for them, we get all the latest evidence-based information we can for them, then we support and advocate for them. As an added bonus, a Doula UK doula also works to a Code of Conduct and a Philosophy to ensure we are all working to the family's best interests at all times. The best piece of advice I would give an expectant parent is... don't be afraid - to ask questions, to speak your mind, to do it your way, to go with the flow, to disagree or to feel all the feels. Think about after the birth, not just the birth itself. And to book a Doula early! What's really interesting about trauma is... that it's not often what happens, but how that person feels about it afterwards. I had two births very close to each other. On paper, one was very traumatic, but the mother came out of it feeling amazing, she said she felt like she had "really earned the medal", so to speak. The other mother had a dream birth on paper, but felt utterly traumatised by something a midwife had said to her during her second stage. It really hurt her and affected her experience of her birth and, sadly, how brilliantly she had done throughout. I think the important lesson here is that the idea of trauma lives with the person going through it, not the bystander. The biggest misconception about my job is... that I do it because I want to cuddle babies. I mean, obviously, that part of it is a great perk. But I do it because I want to help mothers and fathers during this pivotal and defining time. Being a doula is sometimes referred to as "mothering the mother", and that's the part I love. Oh, and that we're all hippies - Doulas come in all flavours! My first official doula job was for a celebrity... so that probably added to the nerves. In the UK, you don't actually need any training to call yourself a doula. However, to become a Doula UK doula, you need to do an approved training course, then serve a mentorship with one of our Doula Mentors until you become a Recognised Doula UK Doula and agree to a Code of Conduct and a Philosophy. We also provide CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and a resolution process. Along with other things like community circles, an annual conference, insurance discounts, doula connections, etc. Doulas are absolutely not only accessible to rich people... some doulas also work for free (or maybe one job in four, for example), others also work for organisations that provide free support to those at risk and Doula UK has an access fund that all members contribute to that tries to provide support for marginalised, low income and at-risk pregnant women. I, personally, volunteer one morning per week for the NHS and am part of my local NHS Trust Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP), so I like to think I'm giving back some of my expertise and experience to those who might not be able to afford it.
