Life
20 Genius Things For People Who Are Uncomfortable Sleeping Next To Someone Else
Ashley Batz/Bustle
Cuddle buddies are nice. Sleep is nicer. Upon reading that back, it sounds a bit insensitive, so I'll put it this way: learning how to share a bed with a partner isn't the easiest thing in the world. Some people — especially light sleepers like myself — find that the noise, light disturbances, and movement seriously inhibit a good night's sleep. I'm not really a morning person as it is, but if I'm waking up groggy and ill-tempered, there's no way that relationship is lasting past noon.
On the other hand, though, there are tons of arguments for sleeping with a partner. While several studies have found that people move more and wake more often when sharing a bed, sleep experts say that snoozing together might actually improve your overall health. Due to increased feelings of safety and comfort, those who sleep next to someone else often fall asleep faster and have a lower level of the stress hormone cortisol. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have even been quoted suggesting that if you're sharing your bed, you may actually live longer than you otherwise would.
Whether you're trying to make your sleepovers more comfortable or you're already sharing a mattress full-time, these genius inventions can help block out the noise, tone down the light, and draw some much-needed boundaries.
1. This Brilliant Hoodie-Pillow Hybrid
HoodiePillow Hooded Pillowcase, $25, Amazon
With a drawstring hood, wire holder, and a convenient pocket, this HoodiePillow pillowcase is exactly what you need to fully tune out at night. It's made from a comfortable cotton and polyester blend, comes in four different colors, and covers your eyes to prevent any light from your partner's iPad or phone from keeping you awake.
2. Stop Bed Hogging With This Genius Mattress Divider
Bed Rail Bumper, $27, Amazon
While this bed rail bumper is marketed towards toddlers who fall off the bed, its comfortable foam construction can also be used to draw a divide in the middle of your mattress. It installs in seconds, has a removable waterproof cover, and fits underneath all fitted sheets so your partner physically can't hog the bed in the middle of the night.
3. This Vibrating Alarm Clock With Tons Of Practical Features
Sonic Alert Sonic Bomb Alarm, $30, Amazon
With its powerful shaker and adjustable tone and volume, Sonic Alert Sonic Bomb alarm is designed to wake up even the people who sleep like they took a rhino tranquilizer to the jugular. However, you can also shut off the volume and use the shaking mechanism under your pillow to wake yourself up without disturbing your partner.
4. This Glare-Free Motion Activated Light For Under Your Bed
Emotionlite LED Motion Activated Bed Light, $20, Amazon
If your partner often needs to pee at two AM, this Emotionlite LED motion activated bed light might just save your relationship. It comes in a convenient strip-light shape that fastens under your bed and turns on when it senses movement. It provides just enough light to guide you safely across the room without an irritating glare that wakes others.
5. Boil These Ear Plugs For A Custom Fit That Never Falls Out
Decibullz Ear Plugs, $26, Amazon
Not only do these Decibullz ear plugs have three distinct layers that help to quiet outside noises, but they're one of the best custom ear plugs you can buy. Put the thermoplastic custom molds in boiling water to soften them up, and then shape them to your ear for a slip-proof fit that never falls out, even while you're tossing and turning.
6. These Luxurious Sheets That Cool And Wick Moisture Like Nothing Else
Mellanni Queen Bed Sheet Set, $28, Amazon
The Mellanni Queen Bed Sheet Set has over 19000 rave reviews because they're silky soft, luxurious, and insanely easy to care for. They're made with a brushed microfiber that wicks moisture, cools, and helps to disperse body heat, allowing you to sleep comfortably no matter who you're next to. They also come in 35 different colors and patterns, six different sizes, and come with a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two cases.
7. These Headphones That Are Comfortable Enough To Sleep With
CozyPhones Sleep Headphones, $23, Amazon
These CozyPhones sleep headphones are ultra thin and cushioned so you can fall asleep to your favorite playlist or podcast. They've got a breathable mesh lining and the headphones line up to your ears without sliding around during sleep. They're also a great option if one of you likes to watch television right before bed.
8. This Starter Pack Is A Necessity For Cohabiting Couples
Bedtime Bliss Sleep Mask, $13, Amazon
This Bedtime Bliss sleep mask should come in the starter pack for every new relationship. The contoured eye mask is designed to fit your face without putting pressure on your eyes. It blocks out all light, is entirely adjustable, and is made with a breathable, silky material. It also includes cushioned ear plugs that effortlessly fit any ear that come with a complimentary carrying pouch, making them perfect for at-home use or travel.
9. Block Out Noises And Disturbances With This Sound Machine
Pictek White Noise Machine, $20, Amazon
The Pictek machine can block out snoring, movement, typing, or anything else with a constant flow of white noise that relaxes your brain. It comes pre-programmed with 24 soothing sounds (including white noise, waves, jungle, or rain), and it's got some really awesome features like a volume control, headphone jack, auto timer, and portable design.
10. This C-Shaped Body Pillow For Separation And Support
Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow, $48, Amazon
Not only does it support you from head to toe, but the Leachco Snoogle total body pillow forms a C-shaped barrier around your body to carve out your personal space in bed. It's a number one best seller because it's supportive yet cloud-level soft, comfortable yet allows for ventilation, and flexible yet cradles your whole body for the best night's sleep ever.
11. These Comfortable Inserts That Drastically Reduce Snoring
Shhh! Snore Relief Nose Vents, $15, Amazon
People are absolutely loving these Shhh! snore relief nose vents, because they're hypoallergenic, made from comfortable yet supportive silicone, and they seriously increase airflow through the nose to reduce snoring. "I bought it for my husband and even though he was skeptical, he put them in and we both slept like babies!" says one reviewer, adding that her husband could barely even feel them.
12. If The Light From Your Partner's Phone Drives You Up A Wall
iPhone 7 Screen Protector, $9, Amazon
This genius iPhone 7 screen protector helps reduce cracks, scratches, and fingerprints, but it also darkens your screen so that it's only visible to the person staring straight at it. Basically, if your partner can't stop playing Candy Crush in the middle of the night, this one's a must-have for you.
13. This Pillow For The Persistent Nighttime Cuddler
Avana Duo Couples Pillow, $61, Amazon
When your partner is a chronic sleep cuddler, the Avana Duo couples pillow helps to add a little more comfort and support. It's got an ergonomic design and a memory microfoam interior to support both of your heads, necks, and limbs. It's also soft, breathable, and helps to reduce that dreaded dead-arm feeling.
14. A Balancer For When You Can't Decide On A Room Temperature
Sunbeam All Season Queen Heated Mattress Pad, $125, Amazon
The Sunbeam queen heated mattress pad is an incredible solution if you can't agree on a room temperature at night. It has 10 different heat settings than can be personalized for each side of the bed, as well as a super soft and comfortable cotton top that you can easily throw in the washing machine.
15. These Little Rings Mean No More Loud Keyboard Sounds
Cherry MX Rubber O-Ring Switch Dampeners, $15, Amazon
When I'm trying to sleep, the sound of keys on a keyboard pump rage into my body like nothing else. These Cherry MX O-Ring switch dampeners fit under your partner's keys to absorb shock and minimize noise without impacting the feel and accuracy. "These are quality soft o-rings for keyboard damping. Now my roommate hates me less!" excitedly raves one reviewer.
16. This Genius Gadget To Monitor Your Sleep Cycle
Fitbit One Wireless Activity Plus Sleep Tracker, $86, Amazon
Not only does the Fitbit One wireless activity plus sleep tracker keep track of your steps, distance, and calories, but it can also help you monitor how long and well you sleep. It syncs to your phone to record times as well as disturbances, and in the morning, it wakes you (and not your partner) with a silent vibrating alarm.
17. This Bamboo Mattress Cover For Incredible Air Flow
Red Nomad Bamboo Mattress Protector, $30, Amazon
If you're sleeping with a human radiator, the Red Nomad bamboo mattress protector can help. It's made with a super lightweight and breathable Jacquard bamboo weave, and it's waterproof, hypoallergenic, and keeps bacteria at bay. It's extremely effective when it comes to cooling and wicking away moisture so your partner's body temperature won't impact your own.
18. This Light That Helps You Hack Your Sleep Schedules
Flux Bluetooth Smart LED Light Bulb, $34, Amazon
Couples with similar sleep schedules experience deeper, more restful sleep because there are fewer disturbances. This Flux Bluetooth smart LED light bulb syncs up to your phone so you can choose over 16 million colors, but it also has a sunrise function that gradually fills the room with light as you wake up. This helps to reset your circadian rhythm as well as your partner's, so you can sync up your schedules.
19. This Delicious Tea Specifically For A Good Night's Sleep
CUTEA Sleepy Bear Tea, $28, Amazon
This CUTEA Sleepy Bear Tea is made with delicious, calming, and all natural herbs to help you relax your body and mind. It's free of caffeine and features ingredients like chamomile and rosebuds, leading reviewers to say things like, "I wasn't ever a tea drinker but this company made me one! Will definitely order again."
20. A Genius Diffuser That Can Put You To Sleep And Wake You Up
ArtNaturals Essential Oil Diffuser Alarm, $39, Amazon
No matter how wired I am, a few lungfuls of my favorite parasympathetic blend, and I'm three seconds from passing out. This ArtNaturals essential oil diffuser alarm steadily diffuses your favorite relaxing essential oils into the air for up to nine hours. Since it doesn't use heat, it's safe while you're sleeping, and it can also be used as a nightlight, an alarm clock, and a Bluetooth speaker.
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