Can’t Sleep? You Can Buy Your Way to Dreamland

Sleeping. We spend a third of our lives doing it, and yet we have to learn how, and some of us still have trouble with it after many years. Some sleep scientists believe most of us are getting 6 hours of sleep a night, when we actually need 8 or 10.

Sleep experts say the key to getting to sleep is to have a routine, a set of behaviors practiced faithfully every night to “wind you down” and lead you into dreamland. Some suggested activities are stretching exercises to relax tension, drinking hot caffeine-free tea, or luxuriating in a warm bath. But manufacturers are increasingly offering an array of new products designed to bring better rest to the weary. Here’s a sample:

1. Enveloping sounds or aromas can also get you in the night-mode mood. Zenith’s Soundscapes Aroma and Sound Therapy alarm-clock radio provides a sleep timer, a choice of radio or soothing sounds, and a number of fragrances, such as chamomile to soothe, and grapefruit to invigorate. You can also choose a sound to awake to (flute, chimes, radio). Suggested retail price is $79.99. Available at J.C. Penney and Sears, or at https://www.sdidirect.com.

2. If allergies or colds are keeping you awake, you may use a vaporizer to relieve congestion. Sea Band International’s waterless plug-in vaporizing device releases natural oils into the air that help suppress coughs and aid breathing. The device works for up to 10 hours. Suggested retail price is $9.95 for the plug-in unit and five vaporizer pads. Refills of seven pads cost $2.99. Available at pharmacies.

3. If your nighttime trials involve getting a child to bed to stay, lull your little angel with soothing song. Playskool’s Soothing Sounds Lullaby clock radio offers sounds, such as lullabies, babbling brook, singing bird or radio, plus a nightlight that gets brighter as the room gets darker. Suitable for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Available at Target, or at https://www.kiddirect.com; suggested retail price is $29.99.

4. Maybe all you need for better sleep is nicer sheets--and we mean really nice sheets--from Anichini, a Vermont-based producer of luxury linens. Fall asleep on Moroccan Nights (two-piece queen Leonardo sheet set, $1,047; two standard shams, $338; Azzamour pillows, $172 to $570; Azzamour coverlet, $772). Available at linen boutiques or from the company’s Los Angeles showroom (call [888] 230-5388). Or, for the store nearest you, call (800) 553-5309.