For many people, the idea of wearing an eye mask or sleep mask to bed evokes images of old-time black and white TV shows, where pampered female leads would wear eye masks to bed. This image evokes an implication of ultimate leisure, of a person who is determined to get their "beauty rest" by whatever means necessary. However, wearing eye masks or sleeping masks to bed is not decadent: it can save your sleep patterns and allow for better rest, for many reasons.

Melatonin and the Sleep Cycle

Humans are, biologically, diurnal creatures, meaning they are most active and productive during the day by nature. Modern society has changed this, with the increasing frequency of irregular work schedules, international travel, and with the prevalence of artificial lighting. Our sleep cycle, or circadian rhythm, is largely dictated by the production of a hormone called melatonin. Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland in our brains, and its production is influenced by light. The more light a person is exposed to, the less melatonin their brain makes, and vice versa.

Melatonin Imbalances and Bad Sleep

Too much or too little light and a disrupted sleep cycle can imbalance melatonin production or halt it altogether. Not enough melatonin means that a person cannot sleep well, leading to insomnia and a host of other ailments. When outside problems intrude on getting a good night's sleep, preventive measures need to be taken to regulate their body's sleep cycle. Medications are troublesome and can have serious side effects, whereas eye masks are an excellent, non-invasive, and inexpensive way to help regulate melatonin production and assist in getting a good night's sleep.

Increasing Sleep Quality

If a person’s bedroom is lit in any way, the quality of their sleep is greatly decreased because the brain produces less melatonin in response to the presence of light. They wake more frequently and their brains do not progress normally through the phases of sleep, which are required for proper rest. Brightly lit alarm clock displays, a television in the background, a nightlight, or a partner reading in the bed next to them can all be sleep disruptions, but these can be shut out entirely by wearing eye masks to bed.

Interrupted Sleep

Many people with sleep disorders wake suddenly during the night or too early in the morning, then have difficulty getting back to sleep due to artificial light or the oncoming dawn. Wearing eye masks while sleeping helps diminish these effects, as any artificial light or sunlight is kept out. The ‘blackout’ effect the mask produces causes the brain to increase melatonin production and lower the body's temperature again, allowing the person to slip back into sleep.

Diminish Jet-Lag

People who must travel a great deal for work often find their sleep schedules are negatively influenced by jet lag. Jet lag occurs when a person crosses time zones frequently and has to adjust quickly to new times. This is detrimental to the sleep cycle because the body takes time to adjust to a new schedule; the person usually feels irritable, unfocused, fatigued and their production is greatly decreased. Sleeping on airplanes is very difficult, given the overhead lighting, but wearing eye masks while flying can significantly boost sleep quality and decrease jet lag.

Overall Health and Lifestyle Benefits

Good, restful sleep is necessary for functioning properly at work and at play. Sleep disorders can rob a person of their ability to concentrate and lowers their performance in almost everything they do. It also leads to health problems, including obesity, high blood pressure, and depression. Poor sleep habits can negatively affect a person’s social life by removing their joy at daily interactions with loved ones, and their appearance also suffers from dark circles, changes in hair and skin quality and overall malaise. Wearing eye masks is a cheap, easy way to help get the most out of a sleep session.

Wearing eye masks is a non-invasive way to improve anyone’s sleep quality. By removing light from view, the body produces more melatonin, ensuring longer, more restful and more consistent sleep sessions. These simple, inexpensive items can mean the difference between night and day for those with sleep problems.

Zhu-Zhu offers an extensive range of eye masks and sleep masks to buy online.