Can a Sleep Bracelet Really Help You Get More Sleep?
Do you yearn for a good night’s rest but can’t seem to relax? Wake up for no reason in the middle of the night and can’t fall back to sleep? A new sleep bracelet from Philip Stein may be just the thing you need. But does it really work?
When I’m busy or stressed, sleep is the first thing to go. I’m a writer, mom, and wife constantly giving up sleep to get a few more things done during the day. I’ll wake up long before the sun rises to finish up a story and then stay up late into the night just because I want some time to myself after my little one goes to bed. Then, there are those wasted hours when I wake up in the middle of the night for what seems like no reason at all.
And I’m not the only one. According to the American Sleep Foundation, 35 percent of Americans report that their sleep quality is poor or fair and 20 percent report that they didn’t wake up feeling refreshed on any of the past seven days. With stats like that, Americans could use a little help in the sleep department, but is the Phillip Stein sleep bracelet the answer?
How Does the Sleep Bracelet Work?
The Philip Stein sleep bracelet is designed to help you sleep better so you can wake up refreshed each morning. According to the company, each bracelet has a metal disk inside that functions like an antenna. It picks up the natural frequencies of the universe and adjusts your sleep accordingly. It’s called Natural Frequency Technology and the company says that it can do wonders for your sleep.
“We are surrounded by two types of frequencies, manmade frequencies (electricity, computers, etc.) and natural frequencies which are created by nature,” says company cofounder Rina Stein. “Fueled by this thought, we developed a subtle, yet effective, metal disc to channel these frequencies. The disc, which is incorporated into the design of each Philip Stein piece, attracts key frequencies that benefit quality of life.”
Once you’re tuned into the universe’s natural frequencies, it increases the body’s production of melatonin, the hormone which impacts the sleep-wake cycle, according to Stein. “The antenna is designed to only pick up combinations of frequencies between 0.2 and 32.5 Hertz, which are believed to be beneficial for overall wellbeing or sleep,” she says.
The idea for the technology isn’t new. In 1960, says Stein, biologist Ruetger Wever used a variety of experiments to show that these frequencies can positively influence health, performance, and the overall wellbeing of humans. Stein used this idea to create the bracelets over 40 years later. “[It’s] a comfortable, easy to wear, nighttime accessory,” says Stein.
There isn’t a ton of research to back up the company’s claims, but they did conduct one small study back in 2009 through NeuroTrials Research. In the study, which followed just 35 people, 43 percent of participants woke up feeling more refreshed than if they had been wearing the placebo.
Does the Sleep Bracelet Really Work?
Philip Stein was kind enough to send me a sleep bracelet to try for a month to see if the technology was as effective as the company claims. The bracelet retails for $395, so it’s undoubtedly an investment. My brand new sleep bracelet arrived in a luxurious white box. I was eager to open it and get started on my sleep transition. The directions say to put the sleep bracelet on about 15 to 30 minutes before you plan to go to bed. It’s a delicate bracelet with a soft strap—definitely comfortable even if you’re not one to wear jewelry to bed. The company claims that you need to wear the bracelet for at least two weeks in order to properly adjust your sleep cycle.
I wore my sleep bracelet for three weeks pretty religiously. I put it on 20 minutes before bed and kept it on throughout the night. I found it comfortable and didn’t even notice that it was on my wrist. After a week or so of wearing it, I did notice that I was able to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. I didn’t wake up in the middle of the night for no reason and I did feel well rested in the morning.
I have read that this bracelet is an “expensive placebo,” but to me, I don’t care if it’s a placebo as long as it helps me sleep better. Maybe it is all in my head, or the fact that when I wore the bracelet I also tried to abide by some of the recommended sleep tips that came in the directions with the bracelet, including reducing screen time before bed, abstaining from caffeine, and trying to stay relaxed. It would be interesting to see whether the bracelet worked if you didn’t take the recommended steps toward having a sleep-friendly lifestyle. That said, on the one night when I forgot to put on the bracelet, I did have trouble sleeping and my dreams were much more intense and disruptive. I had done nothing different in my routine beyond not wearing the bracelet.
The sleep bracelet is pricey and that’s a factor, at $395 per bracelet, it’s a luxury for most people. I enjoyed the bracelet and it did work for me, but I’m still not sure I would drop $400 to buy one.
According to Dr. Neil Kline from the American Sleep Association, you can create a positive sleep environment without an expensive bracelet. He recommends maintaining a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine of any kind at least six hours before bed, avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and over-the-counter medications, exercise vigorously during the first part of the day, and avoid anything but sleep and sex in your bed.
Have you tried the sleep bracelet? What did you think? What other sleep tips do you have? We want to know what you think! Drop us a line via Twitter @Organicauthorit.
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