Can Sleep Masks Help You Sleep Better?

Tuesday, December 15, 2020, 14:33

Sleep is critical for our health; it is no unknown fact. The quality of your sleep directly affects your mental and physical health and the quality of your waking life, including your productivity, emotional balance, heart health, weight and many more.

While the sleep requirement of one individual differs from the other, health experts and studies point out that it is critical for an adult to get 6 to 9 hours of sleep every night, to avoid the onset of various health problems [1].

Some of you are born with the undeniable gift of falling asleep anywhere and everywhere, but that is not the case for everyone. The surge in high-tech sleep gadgets on the market is statement enough to understand the lack of sleep, we as a society is suffering from.

From sleep blankets, yoga poses to sleep-inducing teas, the options you have are plenty but how about a piece of cloth? What if we told you that a piece of fabric covering your eyes can help improve sleep? Yes, we are talking about sleep masks, the simple solution to get some uninterrupted sleep.

Benefits Of Using A Sleep Mask

According to doctors and sleep specialists (somnologists), using a sleep mask can have the following benefits:

1. Improves sleep quality: Studies point out that, as human beings are diurnal (awake during the day and sleep at night), our brains naturally associate darkness with sleep and the brain tends to produce more melatonin (the hormone that controls our sleep and wake cycles) when they sense an absence of light - which you can get by wearing a sleep mask [2][3]. In addition to increased melatonin production, dark sleeping conditions have been linked to more REM sleep and less wakefulness [4].

2. Makes you fall asleep quicker: Wearing a sleep mask reduces the time spent lying awake in bed because complete darkness boosts your body's melatonin level which will send you to sleep much quicker than not wearing a sleep mask [5]. Also, a sleep mask encourages you to get back to sleep by blocking other stimuli (minimising distractions).

3. Improves skin health: Some sleep masks, made with silk or other extra-gentle fibres can help improve your sleep quality. That is, when you sleep without a mask, contact with your pillow can stretch the skin surrounding your eyes. In addition to this, as you are well-rested due to uninterrupted sleep, puffiness, or bags around your eyes in the morning can be easily avoided [6][7]. You can buy sleep masks made using specific materials, such as charcoal, to reduce puffiness and dryness around your eye sockets.

4. May help manage migraine: Light sensitivity is a common and unpleasant symptom associated with chronic migraines [8]. Sleep masks can help provide total darkness, which can help bring down the throbbing pain. Some sleep masks can even provide cooling or heating features specifically designed to ease migraine pain [9]. You can also freeze or refrigerate the sleep masks and use them when the migraine hits.

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5. May manage depression: Although this claim requires further studies, a study indicated that getting some sleep in complete darkness can help reduce depression [10]. The participants showed reduced symptoms of depression.

6. Relaxes your mind and body: According to studies, deep touch pressure stimulation promotes the release of serotonin, a chemical that regulates sleep [11]. Deep pressure stimulation (DPS) is firm but gentle squeezing, hugs, or holding that relaxes the nervous system, so when you are wearing an eye mask, the gentle pressure may help you feel more relaxed and reduce feelings of anxiety [12][13].

7. May help treat dry eyes: Overnight, your eyes can be exposed to dry air, dust, and other irritants that can cause dry eyes in the morning, especially for individuals with nocturnal lagophthalmos, a condition that prevents one from completely closing the eyes. This can be avoided by wearing a sleep mask to bed [14].

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Now that you are aware of the benefits of using a sleep mask, let us guide you on buying the right sleep mask for you.

How To Choose The Right Sleep Mask?

Sleep masks can help promote better sleep, but it is important that you choose on that is right for you. When choosing a sleep mask, look out for shape, size, material, and even the weight [15]. The sleep mask must be comfortable, not too tight, or itchy, or else it just fails the purpose.

Size: You want to make sure your mask sits comfortably on your face but is still tight to block out the light. Buy a sleeping mask with adjustable strap for better comfort.
Material: Cotton sleep masks provide a soft feel, silk masks are also extremely comfortable (but a bit pricey), or you can combination masks, which has a silk exterior and polyester filling. You can also try foam sleep masks.
Weight: Most eye masks will list being lightweight; you can also try weighted eye masks which can provide a light pressure, thereby reducing stress.
Colour: Some masks are made of light-coloured fabric which will not block the light fully, so if you want a sleep that is completely unbothered, buy one that has a blackout effect that lets in no light at all.

Try a mask made from 100 per cent natural, breathable materials like cotton or silk and wash it regularly with scent-free detergent and do not use any fabric softener.

Precautions While Using A Sleep Mask

• Make sure the sleep mask is not too tight as it can cause blurred vision in the morning.
• Sleep masks may cause your eyelashes to grow crisscrossed as they are pressed down throughout the night.

Here are some extra pointers on how you can improve your sleep quality:

• Leave electronics and work-related things out of the bedroom.
• Maintain a dark and cool atmosphere in your bedroom.
• Do not fluctuate your bedtime and wake up time.
• Avoid large meals for at least three hours before bed.
• Avoid caffeine at least eight hours before sleeping.
• Do not consume alcohol right before sleeping.

On A Final Note…

It is important to find a sleep mask that works for you. Not only can sleep masks help improve your shut-eye time, but this piece of cloth can also help improve your mood, reduce stress and manage migraine pain - all thanks to the improved sleep facilitated by sleep masks.