There’s an app for that!
Whether you want to drift off to sweet sounds of nature, white noise, or a bedtime story, download one of these apps today to get the sleep you need. Sweet dreams!
1. Headspace
Headspace has made a name for itself as a meditation app, but it’s also great for sleep. The free version has “sleep casts,” which are 45-55-minute audio experiences that help you visualize calming experiences, like a slow-moving train or a walk through a garden. There are new stories every night, so you you’ll never get bored.
Cost: free for select content; $69.99/year for Headspace Plus.
2. Noisli
This super simple app lets you choose from a bunch of different sounds (like thunder, wind, white noise, and even the buzz of a coffee shop) to create your ideal sleep soundtrack. You can create a combo of sounds you love that you can save in the app for future use. Pro tip: If you’re using it overnight, keep your phone plugged in — otherwise, you may wake up to a dead battery.
Cost: Basic is free; Pro option is $10/month
3. Calm
The Calm app is super easy to use, and the Sleep Stories section has bedtime stories (for kids and adults!) read aloud by people with soothing voices, including celebrities like Matthew McConaughey. Only a few stories are included for free, but getting a subscription unlocks a huge library of meditations made specifically for sleep.
Cost: free for some features; $70/year for full access; $299.99 for a lifetime subscription.
4. Sleep Cycle – Sleep Tracker
If you want to learn how you slept, the Sleep Cycle app is for you. It tracks your sleep patterns and provides tips to optimize your snooze time. Plus, it has an alarm clock that gently wakes you up when you’re in your lightest sleep phase so you’ll wake up feeling refreshed.
Cost: free, no subscription required.
5. Reflectly
If you like to establish a nightly routine that helps you ease your mind for bed, why not try journaling? Reflectly is an intelligent journal that asks you guided questions and prompts you to organize your thoughts on what happened the day prior.
Cost: $24 for 3 months, or $48/year.
6. Moshi: Sleep and Mindfulness
If kids are looking for an illustrated storybook to flick through before bed, Moshi brings fantastic worlds to life featuring real-life stars. Goldie Hawn has launched an audio track to reduce kids’ anxiety around germs and new daily routines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most stories last between 15 and 20 minutes.
Cost: free limited version or a premium subscription for $40/year.
Our Health Matters does not endorse or recommend any products sited in this editorial. This is for informational purposes only.
Source: Good Housekeeping Institute, Product Testing, goodhousekeeping.com
