Open for a better night’s sleep

Sweet dreams [Craft the perfect night of sleep]( [An array of pillows and a badge that says 'Sleep Week 2023'.]( Wirecutter Staff It’s Sleep Week at Wirecutter, which means our sleep experts (and professional nappers) are rolling out some of their favorite bedding and sleep accessories, sharing hacks they use in their own lives to beat insomnia, and dishing up hot takes on all things zzzz. (Like, [maybe you shouldn’t let your dog sleep in bed with you…]( Good sleep can be incredibly elusive—and personal: There are myriad behavioral, genetic, and environmental factors that go into any one person’s sleep routine. And it’s important to achieve consistent, high-quality rest, since [poor sleep can significantly impact your health](. We’re here to help. If you find yourself struggling to wake up each morning or staring up at the ceiling each night, this newsletter is for you. Happy snoozing! We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. [Learn more ›]( [Trouble falling asleep?]( [An illustration of a person with their brain turned off.]( Dana Davis Audit your nighttime behaviors. We know, we know—there’s a lot that goes into a healthy nighttime routine, and most of it has been said before. Don’t use your phone before falling asleep. [Don’t drink caffeine or alcohol]( after dark. Adjust the thermostat to somewhere between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. ([Chilly is better, seriously]( There are also a couple of unexpected things you can do to increase your odds of falling asleep quickly. Of course, there’s no one solution that works for everyone (especially if your insomnia is chronic, in which case, you should consult a medical professional!). But maybe one of these strategies will help send you to dreamland. Soak your feet in a hot-but-not-scalding bath: [The first time I did this]( I noticed how much it helped me relax and how quickly I was able to fall asleep. I also found I slept more soundly and woke up feeling more refreshed. —Marilyn Ong, supervising editor Snuggle a stuffed animal to self-soothe. They’re not just for kids: Counting sheep is no match for my mind’s nightly churning—but [cuddling one is](. —Sarah Gannett, editorial intern Leverage some unexpected gear, like pet feeders and smart plugs, to create a comfy, quiet sleep zone. Yes, [white noise machines]( and [sunrise alarm clocks]( can lull you to sleep. But there are [a few Wirecutter picks]( we recommend for entirely different purposes—that members of our staff have found can work wonders as sleep aids. —Kaitlin Mahar, staff writer, deals [More ways to lull yourself to sleep →]( [Trouble staying asleep?]( If you’re looking for a straightforward way to boost the quality of your sleep, start by investing in the right gear. Our experts spend countless hours every year sleeping on the job to test [pillows]( [mattresses]( [sheets]( and more to find the best accessories for every type of sleeper. The best mattress, according to your sleep style [A person sleeping on their side.]( [For side-sleepers]( The mattresses we recommend in [this guide]( will reduce pressure on your hips and shoulders to varying degrees. [A person sleeping.]( [For people with back pain]( Contrary to popular belief, your aching back doesn’t need a firm-as-a-plank mattress. [It needs a medium-firm one](. [A person sleeping on their stomach.]( [For stomach-sleepers]( [Our top pick]( is for anyone who turns in for the night by belly-flopping onto their bed. Plus, don’t underestimate the power of a good pillow to transform your tossing and turning into uninterrupted rest. After spending more than 1,000 nights testing 131 pillows, we’ve determined these are [the five best bed pillows](. If you’re not sure where to start, check out [this oddly shaped, 2-by-2-foot wedge of solid foam]( pillow experts’ can’t-live-without-it choice. [The Wedge Pillow]( Marki Williams Oh, and don’t forget to curl up with a [body pillow](. (Also, [here’s what to do]( if your partner hates said body pillow.) [Trouble waking up?]( [A person sleeping in bed.]( Wirecutter Staff Many people rely on the power of an [alarm clock]( to get them out of bed, yet there are lots of other smart ways, including light bulbs, window shades, and more. [These approaches]( not only make waking up easier but can ensure you get better sleep overall. [Explore our smart(ish) waking-up recommendations →]( A solid night of rest boils down to two principles: Create healthy routines so you can transition in and out of sleep, and invest in gear that complements and enhances your preferences. And though it’s nearly impossible to craft one-size-fits-all sleep advice for everyone, we certainly hope we’ve helped. [Check out the rest of our Sleep Week coverage →]( [View email in browser]( You are receiving this email because you signed up for Wirecutter’s Newsletter. Getting too many emails from us? To stop receiving Top Picks, [unsubscribe](. 
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