This suggestion comes from Claudia, who said, “How about better sleep, broadly? Apps, noise machines, pillows, nice and durable sheets, etc…?” I was just thinking about the wonderful bath bombs I’d just discovered, so I’ve combined them into one big Bath and Bed Essentials gift Guide!
NB: some of these links are affiliate-coded. If you use them, thanks! And if not, no worries!
First, Elyse recommended these sheets to us, saying they kept her very comfortable, even when she was dealing with night sweats. Oh, my gosh, they’re wonderful:
Sheets & Giggles (yes, I know – the puns continue unabashed in the packaging, too) sheets are “[m]ade from 100% eucalyptus lyocell, they’re cool to the touch, naturally temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking, and beyond breathable.” They are indeed cool, and very soft, and extremely comfortable.
I have recommended these pillows in prior gift guides but I still adore them, and also, have you replaced your pillow lately?
The Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam in Regular ($45 – $55) – is for people who sleep on their backs or sides. And the Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam in Slim ($36 – $46) – for people who sleep on their stomachs (Hi!).
And, if you recall past gift guides, you probably know what I’m going to recommend next: turn your old pillows into a dog bed! The DIY Pet Bed Dog Pillow Bed Cover ($26) comes in a bunch of different colors, and in two different sizes. Your dogs will seriously like it because after a year of use, the pillows will smell like you. A lot like you.
We put two king size pillows in the larger one, and they fit perfectly – and they’re pillows so it’s easy to squish them. We have ours in the living room with a fleecy blanket on it, and both dogs adore that bed. Much snoring. Very snooze.
Another item I recommend upgrading, especially now: slippers. Good slippers! Slippers that support your feet and are kind to your arches and all of that. Good slippers can be expensive, but if you wear them a lot (ahem) they are much worth it.
My neighbor recommended Spenco slippers, which I love:
Spenco Slide Slippers, $60-80and now Adam has a pair, too.
Claudia: I was a big fan of LL Bean slippers, but I’ve been spending so much time wearing slippers I’ve had to switch to those with more arch support. I recommend Vionic slippers.
Vionic slippers, $50-70I was talking to a therapist who said that noise machines are particularly helpful for neurodivergent people, and people suffering from anxiety. They sort of put your brain on a different track (away from intrusive thoughts) and in a more relaxed state.
If you are not too picky you can get away with free apps the like to generate the noise, but if you can recognize loops (and they will drive you crazy), it’s best to go with a dedicated noise machine like those made by LectroFan.
LectroFan White Noise Machine, $39
Simple luxe bedtime routine — any buckwheat eye pillow heated in the microwave for a bit.
Shana: I love silk pillowcases, they’re good for my hair and skin, but they also feel luxurious.
MYK Silk/Cotton Pillowcase, $34
I like this one because it’s silk on one side, and cotton on the other, so it’s cheaper.
When I’m having trouble sleeping, the sleep stories in the Calm app work, when nothing else will do. Is it worth $70 a year to have Rege-Jean Page or Idris Elba read me to sleep?
This is a judgement-free zone, right?
I buy most of my bath luxuries from the witchy herbalists at the farmer’s market. Because I love you, I forced myself to buy some new bath products…for research.
My favorite was this one:
Calypso Moon Essentials Relax-Ritual Herbal Bath Soak, $10
I also liked Humblebee Herbal!
I’m gifting their lovely bath fizzies and shampoo bars this year.
Sarah: What a lovely gift!
Ellen: I LOVE Witch Baby Soap!!! And also they have a quarterly subscription.
Sarah: I ordered an assortment of bath bombs from Kristine’s Shower on Etsy, and I love them.
30 Assorted bath bombs, Kristine’s Shower, $34
What about you? What essentials do you recommend for bed, bath, and everywhere else?
I recommend OrthoFeet slippers. I wear mine all the time, and the arch support is great. I have plantar fasciitis and I can’t go barefoot or wear bad slippers. These are what I have: https://www.orthofeet.com/products/charlotte-s731-brown?currency=USD&variant=18962607173&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwui2w7Of9AIVmIjICh1mOAuuEAQYASABEgI26PD_BwE
Electric mattress pad. Ours is Sunbeam but I’m not necessarily brand loyal so much as extremely loyal to not sliding into icicle sheets in the winter. It’s amazing how much less tense my body starts out at bedtime if the bed is warm. (We don’t even leave it on at night so the electricity use is minimal)
My favorite app/website for white noise is mynoise.net. Hundreds of choices and the choices are very customizable.
Speaking of the Calm app, they usually have a sale on the lifetime membership around this time (usually for Black Friday or Cyber Monday). When I got it two years ago, it was $159.99 so it’s well worth the money if you have been on the annual plan for more than a couple of years (or like it enough that you think you’ll use it for several years). I also see that they have a family plan now too so you can share a subscription with up to 6 people (related to you or not) which is really nice.
I second/third the Calm sleep stories! They’re all good, but my favorite is the Levar Burton “Journey to the Stars” story – it’s the one I *know* will send me off to a good sleep every time.
Also, thanks for the reminder about the lifetime membership, Lori! I was mad that I missed the sale last year, and I need it (if only to have permanent access to the sleep stories, lol).
Another thing that’s been critical for my quality of sleep is a good eye mask. I’m a big fan of the Manta sleep masks – they’re soft and cushy, and they work well for side sleepers. I use their basic one most often, but I also have their weighted eye mask to use in restorative yoga or when I have migraines.
If any of you have Kaiser for health insurance, check on their other benefits page. The Calm app is free through them.
I love my sleep machine. I have tinnitus, and it’s a must-have. Mine has worked, knock on wood, for nearly 20 years.
If anybody has recommendations for shampoo and hair conditioner, I’d love to hear them. It seems like whenever I find a decent brand I like, they go out of business. I like fresh herbal scents, like mint, rosemary and eucalyptus. I recently tried an Herbal Essences shampoo, mistakenly thinking it would be like the original Clairol Herbal Essence, but it has an artificial chemical smell. I used to like Bath & Bodyworks Aromatherapy shampoo and conditioner, which their stores no longer carry. Going to the way-way-back machine, there was Halsa, and before that there was a company called The Community Soap Factory that went out of business, but they made the best shampoo in the world.
I am listening with interest, @Karin, as I too liked the original Herbal Essence. Perhaps soaps and shampoos will feature in a future Gift Guide.
Karin, you might try Aveeno’s shampoo and conditioner lines. They have one called Fresh Greens that has a bright, herbal sort of smell. I’m also a fan of the Rosewater Chamomile–it smells plant-like, but not especially flowery. They’re also sulfate- and sulfite-free, if those are things you need or want in your haircare products. I’ve got wavy hair, and I’ve noticed a ton of improvement since I switched to the Aveeno shampoo.
Also: yes, yes, YES to Spenco slippers! I put mine on the minute I change out of work clothes and into around-the-house clothes. They’ve made huge difference in reducing the effects of plantar fasciitis. They also hold up really well–I’ve been wearing mine pretty much every day since I took them out of the box on December 25th of last year, and they’re still in excellent shape (and that’s after many trips up and down the unfinished cement stairs of my basement).
@Karin
Have you tried Desert Essence hair products
They smell pretty good
Those sheets are 30% off today, in case anyone else is like me and only loading up tabs belatedly!
I just did a post about it – thank you for the reminder!
As a recent excellent purchase – I bought headband Bluetooth speakers to sleep in from a company called Hoomband and they have been so excellent and comfortable. It also comes with an app that I have not tried.
I would like to recommend two women owned small businesses that make terrific soap. Indigenous Soap from Hawaii and JD Natlady soap from St Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Both companies make all natural, lovely scented soaps.
https://www.indigenousoap.com/
https://jdnatladyscreations.com/
I spent all of my remote time during COVID wearing my fabulously comfy LLBean slippers. The total lack of arch support really messed up my knees. I started wearing Vionic slippers and could feel the difference immediately. They have made a world of difference!