It turns out that when you snooze, you don’t lose, after all. In fact, there is much to gain by capitalizing on your sleep—something many businesses have realized.
The tides are turning against all things fast-paced and toxic, and everyone is now entranced by the idea of slower living, embracing the simplicity of going back to the basics for health and wellness—sleep included. More and more people are realizing the physical and mental rewards of catching some very restorative Zzz’s. The science has always been there—study after study reporting the importance of quality rest, and how it informs everything, from how glowy your skin gets to be and how long you actually get to live. But you can always trust TikTok to turn something we’ve always known into the latest trend.
“Sleepmaxxing” is the idea of optimizing sleep hygiene with the aid of tried-and-tested tricks and new-wave technologies, all working together to make sure you make the most out of your nightly eight-ish hours. It encourages you to leverage everything from centuries-old wisdom (Aromatherapy pillow mists! Meditation!) to cutting-edge innovations (Temperature-regulating mattresses! Sleep tracking devices!) to help combat whatever’s preventing you from falling and staying asleep.
The hype about hibernation is more than just hot air, though—people are actually paying big bucks to invest in a good night’s sleep. The sleep industry was projected to be worth over $500 billion in 2024, thanks in large part to the fact that in the last decade, sleep deprivation has been considered a public health epidemic by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. People need and want to sleep, but can’t do so as easily—just counting sheep isn’t cutting it anymore. Here lies the opportunity for sleep solutions marketed to address a great number of health and wellness needs via optimized shut-eye.
Read on for some of the most buzzworthy and inventive products capitalizing on today’s sleep economy.
Silk Pillowcases
Aside from that luxe feel, silk fabric is known to be extra beneficial to your hair and skin, so it definitely complements your beauty goals while enhancing your sleep routine. Locally, Snoozy is a brand that specializes in premium bedding, offering a vegan silk pillowcase made from eco-friendly 100 percent eucalyptus silk. You can rest easy on its super soft and smooth surface, knowing you’ve also made an environmentally sustainable choice.
Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets are often made with special filling to give them that extra heft. Studies show that the added pressure from the weight can help your body relax and calm down quicker, supporting a good night’s sleep. Kun-Kun is a Filipino semi-weighted blanket brand that uses breathable organic cotton suitable for the local weather and features a polyester minky fabric on one side—perfect for those who prefer a little sensory stimulation to help soothe them even further.
Smart Mattresses
Imagine a mattress that automatically cools or warms to your liking, and even adjusts its position to ensure maximum comfort and help you (or your partner) stop snoring. Eight Sleep is a sleep fitness company that offers this product, believing that your sleep is essential to daily recovery and overall health—and it’s been so groundbreaking, they’ve been valued at $500 million as of 2022.
Sleep-Inducing Devices
Simplify falling asleep with the breathing cues provided by the Somnox 2, a device you actually cuddle in bed with. Or, try the Dodow, a bedside gadget that projects a calming blue light into your ceiling. Synchronize your breathing with the light’s movements to help you fall asleep. Both products are founded on the idea of controlled breathing helping relieve the mind and body of anxiety, potentially inducing sleep (and reducing your need for chemical sleep aids).
Sleep Trackers
It turns out, even when it comes to great sleep, there is an app for that. Wearable body trackers like the Oura Ring 3 map your biosignals both awake and asleep, so you get detailed analysis of sleep patterns and other info you need for data-driven sleep optimization. Great if you want to geek out over your own body’s stats, and use it to build better sleep habits. The Oura generated a ton of buzz for reaching a valuation of over $5 billion after a Series D funding round—not bad for a product that fits in the palm of your hand.
Smart Alarm Clocks
After a night in dreamland, a seamless transition to wakefulness should seal the deal. The new wave of smart alarm clocks is programmable with soft glowing lights and muted sounds to help you ease out of slumber at the start of the day. Popular choice Hatch Restore 2 proves itself indispensable to both falling asleep and waking up, as it can be programmed to be a sound machine, night light, guided meditation provider and wake you up the next day with the tranquil sounds of chirping birds or chimes (if only it could also make your morning coffee!)
Sleep-Boosting Supplements
Sleepytime teas, powders, and supplements all feature a blend of herbs, adaptogens, and other ingredients designed to help support some solid shut-eye. Popular ingredients have gone above and beyond the usual chamomile—science-backed compounds like ashwagandha, valerian root, melatonin, magnesium, and others all figure greatly in such cutesy-named products like Dream Dust and Nutrigums Night Time Gummies. However, The National Sleep Foundation cautions against using these in replacement of doctor-prescribed sleep aids. It’s always best to consult with your doctor before incorporating any supplements into your routine, especially if you’re taking medications for other health conditions.
Fem Focus Sleep Support with Melatonin
P920, Healthy Options
Sleep Sells
The rise of all these products represents two realities—first, have people really championed such a toxic grind for so long that they’ve forgotten the simplicity (and importance) of sleep? It’s worth examining your own lifestyle and evaluating how much you prioritize rest.
But the second reality is more promising: The multi-billion-dollar sleep industry is proof that scientists, innovators, and businesses are keen on making sure you prioritize rest. There is a revolution taking place right now, founded on the belief that your sleep is just as important as your diet, your exercise, and your stress management. You’ll read it between the lines of all the product promises: Sleep is key to unlocking a good, healthy life. And there are many, many tools at your disposal to regain control of your daily recovery and optimize your own health and wellness with the best night’s sleep of your life, every night.
