Good sleep has been hard to come by of late and so wellness brands are increasingly turning their energy towards a solution. While our first recommendation for a superior 40 winks will always be to invest in a proper mattress, pillow or duvet (as well as consulting a healthcare professional if you’re really concerned), the best sleep sprays are also well worth your time and attention.
Utilising the principles of aromatherapy, sleep sprays tend to be made from blends of essential oils, most often dominated by lavender or chamomile. As with all aromatherapy, these essential oils work to help us sleep by triggering responses in the brain that induce a more relaxed or calm state. The more you can unwind in the evening, the more likely you are to both fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
A natural sleep aid, sleep sprays are one of the simplest and most affordable ways to catch a few more Zzzs as we (hopefully) move into a busy, post-pandemic world. From This Work’s iconic Deep Sleep Pillow Spray to Neom’s pillow mist, these are the pillow sprays we’ll be snoozing on this year.
Do sleep sprays actually work?
While there isn’t too much concrete research into the impact and efficacy of sleep sprays, there is evidence to suggest that they are helpful in reducing anxiety and helping with sleep. “Some small studies support the use of lavender essential oils for a reduction in stress and anxiety,” says Dr Chris George. “In the UK essential oils are not prescribed by NHS doctors, but this is not to say that they don’t have a role to go alongside everyday medicine.”
Having tried plenty of sleep sprays ourselves here at GQ, we noticed a real difference in how quickly we fell asleep from the first night. Spritz one on your pillow as part of your bedtime routine, and a better night’s sleep is easily in reach.
Which sleep spray is the best for deep sleep?
Most of the sleep sprays we’ve included are designed to help you sleep more deeply, and part of process involves some personal trial and error. The most popular though is the This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, a blend of lavender, chamomile and vetiver which is a deep-sleep inducing dream.
