The many benefits of using a sleep mask

The many benefits of using a sleep mask

There are many benefits to using a sleep mask but - spoiler alert - the most important is deep, restful sleep.
Magnesium for Menopause - Who Knew? Reading The many benefits of using a sleep mask 4 minutes

To say we are big fans of sleep at Asutra is a major understatement.  We talk about the importance of sleep at every age and stage.  We have lots of opinions on the amazing impact of balanced magnesium replenishment for sleep, how proud we are of the clinical trial results for our melatonin lotion with magnesium, and the latest breathing technique that sends us off to dreamland (box breathing, 4-7-8 breathing, belly breathing…).  While we all have our unique sleep regimens, one area we are in complete agreement on is the need for a dark and calm sleep space.  And it turns out it’s not just our personal preferences but eliminating ambient light and creating a calm environment are science-backed, doctor recommended ingredients for high quality sleep.  The good news? Our weighted blackout sleep mask is a perfect and affordable solution to creating a dark, calm environment for great sleep.

Among the many benefits of sleep are increased brain development and function along with improved memory and better mood. We’ve all experienced this: after a poor night’s sleep, it’s harder to remember things and we can feel more irritable. On a very simple and immediate level, getting a good night’s sleep sets you up for a better next day.  External stimuli – specifically ambient light – disrupts sleep in two ways: ambient light prolongs the falling asleep process and a light coming on during sleep leads to waking from sleep — and makes it harder to fall back asleep. 

Darkness allows for the pineal gland to produce melatonin which in turn promotes feelings of sleepiness. Once light hits your eyes, melatonin production starts falling. Disrupted sleep timing and quality can have a negative impact on everyday life. 

So how do you control light?  Oprah has a great recommendation for us all – a blackout sleep mask. 

For the past two years, Oprah has selected Asutra’s luxurious (yet affordable!) silk sleep mask for her favorite things list. Not only does the mask block out all light it is also weighted with flax seeds and lavender buds to promote calm.  

And you don’t need to just take Oprah’s word for it (although who wouldn’t?!) — a study from the Sleep Research Society published by Oxford University Press uncovered that wearing a sleep mask led to increased alertness and intake of new information on the day after wearing.  Overall the study finds that wearing a sleep mask is an affordable and low maintenance activity that can “benefit cognitive function and lead to measurable impacts on everyday life.” [1]  

Creating a blackout eye mask was a must but we wanted to take it a step (or two) further to set our sleep mask apart.  We do that with several additional features that make the mask a better sleep support option than other sleep masks in the market.  In addition to providing a mask that delivers complete darkness we add lavender buds to amp up the relaxation factor.  If you are new to the Asutra brand we hope you quickly learn we are huge fans of natural, soothing and relieving ingredients like lavender (and magnesium).  Studies have shown that lavender helps improve sleep quality and lower anxiety.[2] 

In addition to lavender, the sleep mask contains flax seeds to create a lightly weighed effect.  We think of our mask as a weighted blanket for your eyes.  Not only does the weight soothe and provide gentle acupressure that can help with headaches and sinus pressure, but the weighted mask can lead to more restful sleep. According to Dr. Rosmy Barrios “it is believed that by lightly pressing the eyes, they calm the nervous system and stimulate the release of melatonin, a hormone that the brain produces in response to darkness.”[3]

Combining a light blocking sleep experience with soothing lavender and weighted flax seeds to further enhance relaxation made it a multiple time Oprah’s Favorite Thing as well as must haves for  Allure and CNN editors.  And – hugely important to us – this mask has over 1000 5-star reviews from Asutra sleepers…  we mean sleep mask users 😊

 

[1] https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/46/3/zsac305/6912219

[2] https://sleepdoctor.com/sleep-aids/does-lavender-help-you-sleep/#:~:text=Benefits%20of%20Lavender,-Studies%20have%20shown&text=For%20sleep%3A%20Lavender%20oil%20is,insomnia%2C%20depression%2C%20and%20anxiety.

[3] https://parade.com/health/weighted-eye-masks