1
Caspar Glow Light
This light is a little bit of magic, dimming gradually so that you can doze off naturally, helping to combat menopause insomnia. It means you can keep reading as the light fades, nodding off as darkness settles. Well, that’s the theory anyway. You are also woken up gently by soft light, making your morning less of a shock. £109, casper.com
2
Dreem Headband
If you need a high tech fancypants solution to your menopause insomnia, this could be it. Dreem tracks sleep by recording and analysing brain activity, plus heart rate and respiration, via EEG sensors. It looks like a strange gizmo but has an elastic band making it easy to slip on and get a secure fit. It boasts three types of sensors: to record brain activity, movements and breathing and doesn’t require any Bluetooth or WiFi to function. And there’s more. It doesn’t just track sleep but gives you tools to improve sleep over time, including breathing and meditation exercises. It involves a combination of relaxation, sound stimulation (which enhances the quality of sleep by delivering pink noise which helps with deep sleep patterns) and has an integrated smart alarm. £499, dreem.com
3
Marpac Dohm Classic White Noise Machine
Dohm was originally called the Sleep-Mate and features fan-based natural white noise, with two speed options for adjustable tone and volume. It replicates the soothing lull of an air conditioner (which may explain why we often sleep better in hotels rather than at home?). With uses beyond menopausal insomnia, it will also block out any snoring from a partner or outside traffic noise. £44.95, amazon.com
4
Bose Noise-Masking Sleepbuds
Instead of streaming music, these wireless earbuds play soothing sounds to cover up unwanted outside noise, helping you not only fall asleep, but also stay asleep. They’re really comfortable and stay in your ears all night, even if you sleep on your side. You can also set wake-up alarms that only you can hear, so you won’t disturb the person sleeping next to you. £229.95, johnlewis.co.uk
5
Circle Home App
We all know that tech screens in the hours before bedtime are not good news for insomnia. This app monitors your tech useage and promotes digital wellness, helping you shut down early enough to get those zzzs in. What’s more, with features like Bedtime and Pause, Circle helps users get their sleep schedules on track by automatically disconnecting and reconnecting to the Internet at scheduled times. Free, circlehome.com
6
SomniLight Red LED Night Light
Surprising fact, red has been scientifically proven to be the most productive colour for a sound sleep. The colour isn’t known for being soothing, but recent research has proven it can help you fall asleep and – crucially – stay asleep. This light’s red light technology protects melatonin production for healthy sleep patterns. And these little ruby gems have a lifespan of 50,00 hours. £4.99, amazon.com
7
Sleepfulness App
This handy app for both iOS and Android is filled with guided meditations to help you get to sleep and wake up easily. Simply place it by your bed, pop the appropriate meditation on and the guide will talk to you and help you relax. You’ll be nodding off before you know it. Free to download, Sleepfulness.com
