The Business of Sleep

I wrote yesterday about rough couple days and I’m happy to report today that I’m feeling better. A good night of sleep does wonders both physically and mentally.

It reminded me of a great article I read on the Business of Sleep by Stuart McGurk. The article starts out with quotes from a sleep expert on the importance of sleep. Lots of the research merely confirms what most people already know — getting enough sleep is good for your health.

Stuart then dives into the rapid rise of consumer products and sleep coaches. He describes how tiredness has become the new norm and capitalism is coming for our sleep.

Here is a list of the various devices, gadgets, lamps, apps, earplugs, blankets, trackers and, in one instance at least, creepy sleep robots that I will invite into my bedroom while writing this story.

I read using a SomniLight Amber Book Lamp (“specifically designed to mimic the amber wavelength of candlelight without sacrificing the safety and convenience of modern lighting”, £30). By my bed sits a Philips Somneo Wake-Up Light, which mimics the rise and fall of the sun (“with light-guided breathing and personalised sun settings”, £190). Splaying me to my mattress is a Mela Comfort weighted blanket (swaddle, baby, etc, from £125), while below me is a Withings Sleep Tracking Mat (“offers sleep cycle analysis, heart-rate tracking and snore detection”, £100). I use a pillow from Nanu that’s been created just for me based on an algorithm (“designed by you, made by Nanu”, £30). I wear Tom Brady TB12 Under Armour Athlete Recovery pyjamas (“the key is the ‘far infrared’ print inside... Far infrared is a type of energy that benefits the human body”, from £42). In my ears are Bose Noise-Masking Sleepbuds (“sleep better. Cover unwanted noise with soothing sounds”, £230). On my finger sits an Oura Ring sleep tracker, sampling my pulse 250 times per second (“you learn your optimal times to move, eat and take a break to get that restorative sleep”, £280). Every night an app called Sleepzy attempts to nag me to bed at 10.45pm. I use the Somnox Sleep Robot exactly twice (“by using breathing regulation, sounds and affection, the Sleep Robot offers...”, £549).

On the surface, this may seem like excessive consumerism and perhaps some good ole fashioned turning off devices one hour before sleep may work just as well. But as someone who has always been a bad sleeper, I’m all for this consumer trend.

I’ve never been someone who has been able to sleep on command or been able to sleep early. Perhaps this is partly due to my bad habits or maybe I’m just wired a bit different. I know my best friend has the same problem. I am always truly jealous of people who are good sleepers.

As mental health issues are on the rise in America and we gain more and more access to things such as Netflix that keep us up at night, I’m going to be following this trend of the rise of sleep aids.