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Does an Eye Mask Help You Sleep?

Does an eye mask help you sleep? The simple answer is yes! Eye masks can help you get a better night’s sleep, or even a better nap during the day, if used properly.  But it’s important to know which one is right for you. In this article, I’ve carefully detailed several reasons why you should get one for yourself to enjoy the benefits.

Does an Eye Mask Help You Sleep?

Every one of us needs good sleep. Sleep is an essential part of human life. However, the type and length of sleep you are getting are equally as important as overall sleep itself. According to research done by the American Sleep Association, almost 70 million Americans have some type of sleeping disorder. This means that there’s a high chance that your next-door neighbor has one. It may even be closer to home than you think! You could have a sleeping disorder and not even know it.

It is estimated that one in every three American adults is sleep deprived. This affects your productivity, your health, and even your skin. The side effects of not getting enough sleep can be eye-opening, to say the least.

It’s more than clear that sleep is not something we can do without. And on the journey towards getting a good night’s sleep, there are many little helpers that can help you along the way. One of them is an eye mask.

Do Eye Masks Work?

As I mentioned earlier, eye masks are a great way to get a good night’s sleep. They can even help you sleep better during the day. Eye masks are especially effective for light sleepers. If you usually find your sleep is disrupted by sunlight or the light in your room then an eye mask is the perfect solution. It keeps all the light beams from interrupting your sleep. Eye masks allow you to sleep until your body is fully rejuvenated.

This is why wearing an eye mask will help you have a healthier and more relaxing sleep. When it comes to ensuring a good night’s rest, eye masks work pretty well. And a good night’s rest is what we all need.

Benefits of Eye Masks

You’ve heard me praise the wonders of wearing eye masks to sleep. Now it’s time for you to see them for yourself. If you are skeptical about the benefits of an eye mask then you should keep reading because the following benefits will shove the doubt right out of you.

1. Low cost, cheaper than blackout curtains

Several sleep researchers have testified to the fact that the darker your room, the better and sounder your sleep. A dark room helps you sleep peacefully and undisturbed. 

However, we aren’t in the Stone Age anymore so there are no caves to keep the sun’s rays out. In this modern era, one of the best ways to make your room dark is by using black-out curtains. Sadly, black-out curtains are a bit expensive and for some, they might be too much to afford.

Eye masks provide a cheaper yet fully effective alternative. Enjoy the complete darkness it offers you without blowing the bank.

2. Improved and sound quality sleep

Every sleep researcher agrees that dark environments make you sleep better. For most researchers, it is very uncommon to have a unanimous agreement which makes the association of darkness with sleep worthy of deeper analysis.

If you look at it closer, you will realize that is based on the primary nature of human beings. Right from our pre-human ancestors’ existence, we have always been diurnal. This means that we are naturally awake during the day and asleep during the night.

Since the dawn of time, long before the invention of electricity, our brains have been programmed to initiate the production of melatonin upon sensing the absence of light. Although many factors have affected that cycle, humans remain naturally diurnal creatures.

Because your brain increases the production of the sleep hormone at night you are more likely to sleep better at night. However, with the invention of electricity and technology, it has become increasingly difficult to achieve the absolute darkness needed for a good night’s sleep. Most of us have TVs, computers, or cellphones on late at night. Thankfully, with the right eye mask, you can achieve instant darkness whenever you need it.

3. Helps prevent dry eyes

Dry air is produced by heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) appliances. Most people use these appliances to heat up or cool down their apartments or homes. But what they don’t notice is the dust that flies around because of the dry air from the appliances.

While a good humidifier will do a great job keeping the air moist, it, unfortunately, cannot prevent recirculated air from blowing dust at your eyes. But an eye mask can! An eye mask can provide a protective barrier for your eyes against incessant dryness.

Eye masks also help people who suffer from nocturnal lagophthalmos—the inability to close their eyes when sleeping fully. When we sleep we need our eyelids to protect and lubricate our eyes so not being able to close your eyes can affect the quality of your sleep (see also ‘What Crystals Help With Sleep?‘). Eye masks create a closed environment around the eyes, allowing your lids to remain shut all night long.

4. Ideal for travel or sleep on the road

When you are traveling or away from home, and you are not able to sleep in a normal environment, a sleep mask can be a game changer. Good sleep boils down to having a consistent routine. If you are someone who travels a lot, or sleeps in different places other that your own bed semi-frequently, you will find that a sleep mask can make a big difference.

Our internal clocks can have a difficult time adjusting when we don’t sleep in a consistent and familiar environment. Whether it’s anxiety or lack of familiarity, our sleep suffers when it’s inconsistent. Placing a sleep mask over your eyes to eliminate light will play a big role in helping you get to bed and fall asleep, no matter where you are.

5. Various kinds to choose from

Variety, as they say, is the spice of life. There are several types of eye masks to choose from. If you have tried an eye mask before and didn’t like it this is an opportunity to give it another go.

Get yourself a brand new eye mask and watch your sleep quality and the time it takes you to fall asleep, improve noticeably. Be sure to choose an eye mask that suits your needs, material preference, and budget. Most eye masks are made from super soft materials like cotton and polyester, or even silk, to ensure you feel comfy all night long.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it! More than enough reasons why you should try sleeping with any eye mask. Once you have experienced the benefits, you will likely buy one for your parents, your kids, or the whole family. You could also end up buying one as a gift for someone else. It may not look like it, but eye masks are a great gift. I mean what could possibly be better than gifting someone a ticket to a good night’s sleep?!?

So, if you are still wondering if eye masks help you sleep better, from experience I can tell you that they do. They are a one-way ticket to getting quality sleep and you deserve quality sleep.

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About the author

Easy Sleep Guide

We are a group of individuals who have a fascination, with the world of sleep and dreams. Our website and social media community were created with the purpose of educating and informing our audience about every aspect of sleep. We cover everything from tips to the advancements in sleep technology. Our team, consisting of real life experts works tirelessly to curate top quality content that offers an understanding of sleep related topics. We take pride in being your trusted source, for all things related to sleep providing insights and knowledge to help you achieve an revitalizing sleep experience.

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