Not to be dramatic, but there’s probably nothing worse than tossing and turning at night as you wait to fall asleep. It can take me *hours* to finally drift off (but not before my brain regales me with every embarrassing memory I’ve ever had in my life, ofc)—which is why I’m always in search of fresh sleep hacks. But if all of your TikTok scrolling and WebMD-ing has still left you wide awake at bedtime, our editors are here to weigh in with our favorite sleep products that really, truly work.
This week (a.k.a. March 9-15) is Sleep Week, an unofficial holiday created by the National Sleep Foundation that’s all about sleep awareness and emphasizing the connection between sleep and your overall health.
To celebrate the occasion, I polled my fellow Cosmo editors on their holy grail sleep products that are absolutely worth your time and money. Because, TBH, some of the internet’s most viral sleep hacks simply aren’t effective—there, I said it!!!
We’ve broken this list down by category, so whether you need a bedding refresh, a sleepy bedtime bev to sip, or a worthy tech item to simplify your routine, you’ll be able to shop it below. (P.S. it’s also worth checking your fave bedding brands for special Sleep Week sales, too.)
Start your pre-bedtime routine
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but all that late-night doom-scrolling? It’s probably effecting your sleep quality. Instead of swiping my night away until the wee hours of the morning (oops!), I’ll admit that having a calming, screen-free night routine really improved my ability to drift off to sleep quickly. Since no particular routine will be perfect for everyone, our editors weighed in on what tips and tricks helped them wind down before bed:
This soothing bath soak
Hannah Oh, shopping editor, swears by a bedtime bath (a la this magnesium-enriched bath soak) to help relax in the evening. “Not too get too science-y, but basically a warm bath lowers your core temperature which encourages your circadian rhythm to understand that it’s time to fall asleep,” she explains. She also loves that this soak is infused with sooo many sleep-friendly ingredients, like lavender, chamomile, and vetiver oils, which have aromatherapy benefits—and also happen to smell *incredible.*
Bedtime brain dump
At the recommendation of my therapist, I’ve started my screen-free evenings by making a cup of warm tea (I’m a grandma at heart, ok???) and then writing out my to-do list for the next day or journaling for a few minutes. The rationale is that if your thoughts are recorded on paper, they’re less likely to bounce around inside your head when you’re trying to fall asleep. I’ll admit, I was pretty skeptical of this method before I started—but now it’s a nighttime non-negotiable.
This upgraded mocktail
While the jury’s still out on whether or not the TikTok-viral sleepy girl mocktail really works, Beth Gillette, beauty editor, is a fan of MoonJuice’s Magnesium beverages right before bed. She recommends mixing the powder into a Poppi (yum!), and since it comes with a cutie mocktail glass and a chic stirrer, you’re pretty much all set.
Curl up in the best bedding
Our fave mattress
Step 1 to getting some serious shuteye: make sure your mattress is supportive and comfortable. Experts suggest replacing your mattress at least every 7 to 10 years (I’m looking at you, girlies who are still sleeping on the same Twin XL from freshman year!), so if you’re past that time frame, it’s time to upgrade. Think about it—if you’re sleeping on a sagging bed that lacks support, there’s no way you’re going to get quality Zzz’s.
Our editors keep converting to this top-selling Saatva mattress, which offers three firmness levels and sooo many layers of foam and coils to provide ample back and neck support. We also appreciate that Saatva offers free in-room delivery and will even remove your old mattress, which normally costs extra at other brands.
Cooling sheets
Hot sleepers, this is your sign to switch to cooling bedding before summer heat comes. As you’re shopping, you’ll wanna look for breathable fabrics like bamboo or linen, while avoiding denser materials such as flannel and cashmere (save ’em for wintertime!).
Sarah Maberry, fashion and luxury commerce editor, says Cozy Earth’s breezy bamboo sheets “improved my sleep quality… and they somehow make bed-rotting even more enjoyable.” (Psst: We have a Cosmo-exclusive Cozy Earth discount code for ya.)
Alternatively, I swear by the Brooklinen Linen Core sheets year-round for their light, airy, and ridiculously soft fabric that somehow keeps getting softer with every wash—so no matter which you choose, rest assured you’ll be dozing off quicker for literal y-e-a-r-s to come.
Pillow talk
If you find yourself waking up with neck or shoulder pain, flipping your pillow every few minutes in search of a “cool side,” or you’re sneezing more than usual, it’s time to re-evaluate.
Olivia Truffaut-Wong, editor, calls her adjustable pillow from Coop Sleep Goods a “game-changer” for its surprisingly cooling, shredded memory foam design that you can remove according to your firmness preferences. If you’re a side sleeper, try this uniquely-shaped option that’s designed to help reduce neck pain. Jessica Dukes, commerce editor, says it not only reduced her tossing and turning at night, but its cooling qualities helped manage hot flashes.
Our editors also agree on this 100% Mulberry silk pillowcase, which earned rave reviews on Amazon and even earned a “best value” placement in our best silk pillowcase tests. The smooth material is cool to the touch, making it perfect for hot nights. And according to licensed aesthetician Brit Lanier, silk is less likely to contribute to the formation of wrinkles or fine lines on your face than other materials. So yeah, add that bb to cart!
While you’re at it, you might as well give your sheets a quick spritz with this fabric spray, which Heath Owens, senior commerce editor, describes as “a heavenly scent of lavender, jasmine, and sandalwood [that] make it feel like you’re getting into freshly washed sheets every night.”
Pajamas and sleep masks FTW
the coziest pj’s
Admittedly, part of buying a new set of pajamas is how cute you’ll look (and feel!) in them. But also, swapping your sweats and a t-shirt for a true bedtime ‘fit is a great way to signal to your body that it’s time to sleep. When shopping, look for fabrics that are lightweight, breathable, and stretchy. We also recommend loose-fitting silhouettes that won’t restrict breathing.
For example, Lauren Smith, commerce editorial director, loves the breathability of this silky Gap set she wore 24/7 during the fourth trimester of her pregnancy. Meanwhile, I’m partial to these (admittedly pricey) silk pj’s from Lunya that are ridiculously soft, cool to the touch, and worth every penny.
some *literal* shut-eye
While we couldn’t agree on which sleep mask was the best, there’s a common thread: our editors are all fans of options with contoured eye cushions. Not only does this feature help block out light, but according to one editor, they also feel less claustrophobic than flat masks and are a particularly great pick for people with lash extensions.
“I get a lot of migraines and often need to be in a pitch black space in order to fall asleep at all,” says Angel Madison, commerce editor. “This pick from Manta blocks out every single bit of light, and the padded eye cups add a slight bit of snugness that keeps it totally secure.”
Game-changing sleep tech
this soothing sunrise alarm
The worst part of my day is when my alarm goes off—but this sunrise-simulating alarm lamp has been the only thing to change that. You can set it to gradually increase brightness over time to gently wake your body up instead of that sudden jolt when your phone alarm starts ringing. Change up the light settings and alarm sounds for a truly customized wake-up call; plus, I also love that you can set a wind-down routine with white noise or rainstorm sounds to help you fall asleep, too.
this small but mighty sleep tracker
Our editors are pretty much all obsessed with Oura Ring for a variety of reasons, but we’re particularly impressed by its sleep tracking prowess. “It tells me things I need (even if I don’t want) to know that are affecting my sleep,” says Emily Silverman, VP of commerce, “like how my evening workout kept my heart rate up, or how a glass of wine with dinner led to a restless night.” Once you’re armed with all the data about how you slept, you can get started on fixing whatever’s keeping you up at night—from a stressful work day to impending illness.
these noise-reducing picks
Since the Cosmo office is based in New York City, several people had hacks for the best ways to block out traffic sounds. (It’s called” the city that never sleeps” for a reason, ppl!) Madison McGee, lifestyle editor, prefers a sound machine to blur out background noise—she’s had hers for three years and loves that it has a range of timer settings, plus 20 different sounds.
Another editor claims to be the lightest sleeper on earth and refuses to travel without a pair of these ear plugs. “Most brands hurt my ears after a couple of hours, but these are comfortable to sleep in all night and drown out an impressive amount of noise,” she says.
With this newfound sleep knowledge, go forth and get some well-deserved shut eye!