Hot eye masks are actually amazing
Hot eye masks are actually amazing
"I can't fall asleep..."
"Even when I get into bed, I can't help but check my smartphone and end up staying up late."
Haven't you ever had a night like that?
Speaking of which, after I went to bed, I started browsing YouTube for "Piano background music to listen to at night" → "Jazz to listen to at night" → "Rain sounds to listen to late at night"... and before I knew it, it was 3am. I wonder what I was doing.
The "savior" I recently discovered is the "hot eye mask."
This isn't just a warm cloth.
Don't underestimate it, just warming the area around your eyes will switch your body on, saying, "Oh, it's time to get ready for sleep." What's more, it's surprising to know that this is backed up by proper research.
This time, we will give a brief introduction to the effects of hot eye masks on sleep, along with the research findings.
Do hot eye masks really work?
I understand the urge to look at it with skepticism and ask, "Really? Isn't it just a placebo?" But it's actually been properly investigated as part of "sleep research."
In one study, two groups of people tried a heated eye mask:
- 22 people with sleep disorders
- 16 people suffering from insomnia
When I had these people warm up the area around my eyes, what happened was...
The results showed that both groups were significantly better able to fall asleep .
At first I thought, "Just warming the area around your eyes? No way..."
But it actually prepares your brain to enter a relaxed state.
In other words, hot eye masks are not just a relaxation aid, but also act as a real "sleep switch."
In fact, foot temperature also plays a role!
Here's where it gets a little interesting.
The study found that after warming the eyes, the temperature of the subjects' feet also rose. Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between the warmth of the feet and the time it took to fall asleep.
This is what I mean.
Your eyes get warm → your body starts to "prepare for sleep" → it becomes easier for body heat to "exude" through the skin at your feet → as a result, your body temperature drops smoothly and you feel sleepy!
This is proof that hot eye masks affect the entire body.
The eyes actually play a role similar to that of the body's command center.
It's like when a senior in a club says, "Hey, it's time to clean up," and everyone starts moving.
How do we sleep? A simple explanation of how it works
To put it simply without using technical terms, it's something like this:
- Warm the area around the eyes
- Parasympathetic nervous system activation and relaxation
- Increased temperature in extremities such as the feet
- Heat escapes and the core temperature drops
- Sleepiness is coming!
The key is to control body temperature.
The human body is a mysterious thing; it is designed to naturally make you sleepy when your internal body temperature drops slightly.
So the process of "hot eye mask → relaxation → heat dissipation → sleepiness" actually makes sense.
Who is it suitable for?
So, who is a hot eye mask recommended for?
- People who have trouble sleeping at night
- People who have light sleep and wake up in the middle of the night
- People who can't help but check their smartphone before going to bed
- People who are concerned about tired eyes
- People who are sensitive to the word "warmth"
In other words, pretty much everyone is eligible (laughs).
Tips for using a hot eye mask more comfortably
If you're going to use it, you want to get the most out of it.
With a little ingenuity, you can make your bedtime much more comfortable.
- Use after a bath : improves blood circulation and doubles the effect
- Choose a scented type : Lavender and citrus are popular. The aroma will make you feel even more relaxed.
- No smartphones allowed while using it! The trick is to close your eyes and become "empty"
- Great for a 15-minute nap : Even a short nap will clear your mind
Another thing I personally recommend is "eye mask + music."
Combined with the background music of slow piano and the sound of rain, you'll find yourself drifting off to sleep before you know it.
Actual experience: Even though I have the worst sleep habits...
Finally, a little bit about myself.
To be honest, I was skeptical about the hot eye mask at first.
But one night, I decided to give it a try.
I thought, "It's a little warm," but then I don't remember (laughs).
Before I knew it, it was morning. For the first time in a while, I didn't wake up in the middle of the night.
Since then, I've been wearing it every night.
It's comfortable to feel the warmth of the air conditioner, not only in winter but also in summer.
Conclusion: "Good sleep starts from your eyes"
Everyone has sleepless nights.
However, this problem may actually be alleviated by simply "warming the area around your eyes."
Hot eye masks have been scientifically proven to be effective.
The warmth that envelops our eyes goes beyond simple relaxation; it lulls us to sleep.
If you're interested, give it a try tonight.
Put down your smartphone and grab your eye mask.
This is where the first step to a good night's sleep begins.
