From editor-tested bedding to the latest in sleep tech, we've got everything you could ever need for better sleep. Welcome to New Year, New Sleep.
Working from home has many benefits: the option to wear pajamas and sweats, the reprieve of often time-consuming and frustrating commutes, and flexibility over both hours and location. But, it also has its downsides — as I've learned over the past few months: even more screen time.
Before my WFH journey began back in March of 2020, I spent many hours of my day doing non-screen activities. I'd glance at my phone briefly before hopping out of bed to get ready for work, drive 30-ish minutes to-and-from the office, and go to IRL workouts and social hangs regularly throughout my week. Sure, I still spent my 9-5 in front of a computer, but that was also met with in-person chats, meetings, and breaks throughout the day.
Video of the Day
Video of the Day
But now, it's a different story; I do my best to get outside for a walk or run at least once a day, but for the rest of the nearly 16-hour day spent at home, I'm staring at a screen — a laptop for work, a phone for social media and texting, a tech mirror for fitness, and a TV for entertainment (heck, even my reading takes place on a Kindle).
Most of us know a little about the harmful effects of blue light, but according to Ryan Alovis, CEO and Founder of LensDirect, the blue light that screens emit can not only cause eye strain and fatigue, but it can even make it tougher for you to fall and stay asleep. (And, let's be real, less sleep is not something any of us can afford right now.) Luckily, LensDirect set out to help us combat our eye strain with a new product engineered to block harmful HEV rays emitted from digital screens while increasing melatonin secretion: Nighttime glasses.
The Specs
According to the LensDirect site, these "amber-tinted blue light blocking lenses are made to shield you from disruptive light that reduces the production of melatonin, which affects your body's natural sleep cycle." Even if you don't use regular blue light glasses during the day, the brand suggests adding these into your evening routine to start producing the melatonin it needs for a restful night of sleep (you can even use them if you drive at night to help reduce the glare of oncoming traffic).
With up to 90% blue-light filtering — even more than BluDefend, the brand's daytime clear blue light blocking lenses — these lenses give you nearly perfect protection from blue light to take back your sleep and up your zzz's.
The Verdict
When I got the chance to try these glasses out, I didn't hesitate — a nearly effortless addition to my evening routine that promises to help me sleep better? Say less. And honestly, the rundown of my review is rather bland: I popped these on every night as I watched TV, endlessly scrolled TikTok and Twitter, and read my Kindle in bed. It was as simple as that. Now, I will admit that my eyes are constantly strained and tired. I feel as though I have dry eyes to begin with — that only get worse with screentime — so I do my best to stay on top of eye drops and wearing my blue light glasses as frequently as possible.
But, as soon as I start wearing these Nighttime glasses, I swear that my eyes are less sore; they seem to relax and strain less, and when it's time to finally get some shut-eye, I fall asleep rather effortlessly. That said, I can't be certain that they are helping me to fall and stay asleep — I don't usually have trouble with that, so it's hard to say — but they definitely seem to make my eyes feel happier and healthier, which is especially welcome after stressful days.
So, if you suffer from any eye soreness or strain at all, these are a no-brainer. (Plus, I feel a bit like Robert Downey Jr. when I wear them.) And at $92, plus an additional 15% off and free shipping if you use the code SAVE15, it's never been a better time to test them out — and can you really put a price on better sleep and eye health?