When you wake up almost every day at 4:45 a.m., sleep becomes a necessity, but also a luxury. Most days, I get around five to six hours of sleep — that is if I can fall asleep. At night, I find myself listening to the noises outside my window (because there’s always something going on in New York City), running through my to-do list for the next day, week, month, and year (I think a lot), and worrying about my training and work schedules.
I’ve gotten better at not scrolling through Instagram in bed, and I follow these expert tips for better sleep, but I still struggle to get a quality night’s rest most of the time. I’ve heard a ton about weighted blankets improving sleep, but I’ve never wanted to invest in one, and I don’t like a lot of clutter in my apartment. Because space is limited and I don’t have the funds to renovate a brownstone in Harlem, I decided to try a sleep mask.
I wish I had some great story as to how I came across the Lunya Washable Silk Sleep Mask ($48), but knowing me, I was probably shopping online at 2 a.m. Initially I thought the price point was ridiculous, but after reading 49 reviews, I felt more confident in my purchase.
After wearing this mask every night for a couple of weeks, I never want to go to bed again without it. Dramatic? It depends on who you ask, but it’s 100-percent true. So what makes this mask better than a $10 one I can find at Target? It’s machine-washable, it’s made with silk and very comfortable, it reduces noise, it’s better than blackout curtains, and it doesn’t leave dents on my face or hair.
I’ve had this sleep mask for nearly two years — it’s still in great condition — and I still feel the same way about it. I have yet to create a wind-down routine, but no matter what my nights look like, I always wear my sleep mask. My love for it is at the point where when my friends bring up their inability to sleep, I always recommend it to them, listing off key points as to why I love it so much. And, if I were to ever get married, I would definitely gift one to all of my bridesmaids — that’s how good it is. Sleep is extremely important to our overall health, and although I still don’t get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night, this mask has really helped improve the time I do get.