Warner Music to distribute albums from mood music algorithm Endel

Endel is an app that creates music to help you relax, focus and sleep.

A Berlin-based music app has entered into an album distribution partnership with Warner Music Group.

Endel, a "cross-platform audio ecosystem and iOS app", has already released five albums this year as part of its "sleep soundscapes" collection designed to reduce anxiety – Clear Night, Rainy Night, Cloudy Afternoon, Cloudy Night and Foggy Morning.

According to a press release, Endel creates "personalized, adaptive sound environments" based on personal user inputs including circadian rhythms, weather, heart rate and location. The app is expected to release another 15 albums this year that correspond with its other modes, including Focus and On-the-Go.

Japan's Avex Inc, Major Lazer's Jillionaire and The Alexa Fund are all investors in Endel. The company has already launched a feature with Amazon's Alexa Skills Store this week that allows users to receive custom sounds through Alexa-enabled devices. The app is currently available on smartphones and via the Amazon Echo.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Endel signed a record deal with Warner Music Group, due to incorrect information from a press release. Endel's partnership with WMG applies to distribution only.

Read next: The 20 best new age albums

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3 Ways To Get Your Dog To Sleep In On Weekends

(Picture Credit: Cavan Images/Getty Images)

We've all been there before. After a long week of hard work and fulfilling other responsibilities, all you want to do is turn off your alarm this weekend and sleep in. And so far, it's going as planned–until you hear them. At 6AM sharp on a Saturday morning, your dog is sitting at your bedside, watching and moaning for you to get up.

Unlike us, our pups have no idea what the weekend means. Dogs are, quite often, creatures of habit. They get accustomed to a routine that we usually set.

If you're someone who has to wake up at 6AM on the weekdays, that's exactly what your pup will do, too, even on weekends. But even though they have a set routine, that doesn't mean that it's set in stone.

Here are three simple ways you can adjust your pet's routine and get that extra hour or two of sleep on the weekends.

1. Adjust Your Dog's Feeding Schedule

Most of the time when our dogs are up bright and early, it's because of one simple reason–they're hungry. And when they're hungry, there's no chance of you getting any extra winks in.

Pushing your dog's feeding schedule back by an hour will encourage them to wake up a little later than usual. Adjust both breakfast and dinner times slowly by 15-minute increments every couple of days until you reach an hour's difference.

Also, try not to feed them as soon as you wake up on weekdays–wait at least 30 minutes before breakfast time. This will help your pup get used to the idea that it's not time to eat just because you're awake, so they may be less inclined to wake you up for food.

2. Exercise Before Bed Time

(Picture Credit: John Fedele/Getty Images)

Another reason your pooch might wake you up early in the morning is because they need to go potty. An easy way to fix this is to let them out right before bedtime. Letting them go on long walks will also help tire them out.

According to vets, depending on their breed and overall health, all dogs should get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. If it gets too dark in your area, playing fetch in the backyard or doing indoor exercises will also help.

These types of activities will not only empty your pet's bladder for the night, but it will also tire them out enough that they may wake up later than usual.

3. Make A Perfect Place To Sleep

Where ever your dog sleeps at night, make sure that it's a place specifically for sleeping. Most dogs are light sleepers and in tune with their sharp senses. That means if sunlight is peeking through the windows where they sleep, it can definitely wake them up.

Make sure you close the drapes in their sleeping room to keep the morning sunlight from waking them up. If your dog is sensitive to sound, make sure your television is off and all their squeaky toys are put away. Playing ambient sounds or soft classical music can help them fall into a deep slumber.

If your dog is being crated, you can cover it with a blanket to keep their sleeping place dark and comfy while they snooze.

Things To Keep In Mind Before Changing Their Routine

(Picture Credit: Gen Nishino/Getty Images)

There are two basic things to keep in mind before changing any of your dog's routines.

The first thing to consider is your dog's age. If they are young pups–not even one year old—then it's best to take them out whenever you hear them crying or when they wake you. Their bladders are still not fully developed, and they need to go more frequently. The same can be said for older dogs who might start to show signs of incontinence.

The other thing to consider is their health. Keep an eye on their frequency of needing to go out, especially during the night. If it seems like your pooch is waking you up at least once every couple of hours, they might have a Urinary Tract Infection or digestive issues and may need a trip to the vet.

No matter what methods you try, hopefully you and your dog will be able to enjoy that extra hour or two of sleep on the weekends!

What do you think of these ways to get your dog to sleep in on the weekends? What other methods would you suggest? Let us know in the comments below!

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Best Reason Not to Sleep at Home

Alcazar is the Spanish word for "fortress," and this historic edifice is a true citadel of Cleveland bed & breakfasting. For only $89, you can spend a night in a private chamber, exploring the majestic five-story pentagon structure, which surrounds a lush botanical courtyard complete with a large fountain at its center. Imagine a posh 1923 residential hotel where guests step into the natural stone of the Spanish-tiled lobby and are greeted by these welcoming words written over the doorway: "Esta es su Casa de Usted" — which, if two years of public school Spanish serve us correctly, means "this is your home." A stop on the National Register of Historic Places, the Alcazar is an architectural gem of Spanish Moorish design, replete with a grand ballroom full of shimmering chandeliers and the Kulas Music Room, with its magnificent grand piano. It's just minutes from the action at University Circle and Little Italy, and a great end to a fabulous night.

2450 Derbyshire Rd., Cleveland Heights,

216-321-5400, thealcazar.com

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How to get a baby to sleep with the help of some relaxing classical music

18 January 2019, 14:42

Sleep Baby Sleep is released on 25 January. Picture: Classic FM

How can you get a newborn to sleep at night? To mark the release of our new Classic FM album 'Sleep Baby Sleep' on 25 January, we asked sleep expert Jo Tantum what are her top five tips for getting the little ones to sleep.

Classic FM's new album Sleep Baby Sleep is designed with the science of babies in mind.
From relaxing classical music by Mozart and Brahms to calming classical arrangements of songs by Michael Jackson, Adele and Ed Sheeran, this 15-track album evokes a sense of nostalgia and familiarity which is sure to help your little one drift off to sleep.
Sleep Baby Sleep is a classical album created in collaboration with baby sleep expert Jo Tantum to help babies find gentle relaxation and go to sleep.
Buy Sleep Baby Sleep here >
Here, Jo Tantum gives her top five tips on getting babies to sleep:

Always listen to your gut Your baby doesn't just cry for a feed, there are many other reasons, including tiredness. If your baby has had a feed and is still upset, try for a nap.

Be sensitive to the light Babies become very sensitive to light as they get older. This sensitivity tends to peak at around 4 months old and is a huge developmental leap for them. Try to use blackout for daytime naps and at nights to help with unwanted early morning awakening's, and avoid switching on the light when feeding.
Instead, use the en-suite or landing light for slight illumination. You can also experiment with products like the 'Mee light' which has a low blue glow. Darkness triggers melatonin - the sleepy hormone. However, when lights are on babies will be unable to switch off and will in turn, fight sleep.

Swaddling Swaddling your baby in a natural breathable material can really help them sleep better. They feel more snug and secure just like being in the womb. If they start fretting in the early evening, take them into a dark room, play this album and swaddle them, holding them closely.

Sleep triggers Just like adults, babies need triggers to go to sleep. Having a total blackout, a comfortable place to lay (cot), a swaddle (or sleeping bag), a bedtime story (from around 4 months), cuddles and soothing sounds will help them wind down and become naturally sleepy.

Quiet time before bed - and some relaxing music Have some quiet time before bedtime every night, therefore, no TV or tinkly toys. Use this music to help your baby become calm and relaxed, ready for bedtime. Around an hour before bedtime you can have nappy off time (from 6 weeks) and then bath time. While your baby is feeding you can continue playing this music (Sleep Baby Sleep) in the background, it will soon become a trigger for sleep.

Sleep Baby Sleep is available to pre-order from Friday 18th January, and is released on 25th January.

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How Max Richters Sleep Became The Perfect Music For World Sleep Day

Award-winning German-born and UK-raised composer and pianist Max Richter's landmark eight-hour post-minimalist lullaby, Sleep, feels as if it was made with World Sleep Day in mind. It wasn't, but makes a perfect fit – after all, Richter has staged a string of night-time performances (complete with beds for the audiences), during which he has performed in entirety the work for piano, string quintet, electronics and vocals.
Enjoy a full eight-hour Sleep on Apple Music and Spotify.
Richter already had a distinguished career in contemporary composition before the remarkable Sleep was issued by Deutsche Grammophon in 2015, bcoming a wordless overnight global success. Having studied with the legendary Italian composer Luciano Berio, Richter recorded contemporary and conceptual material for Decca and the BBC, worked on ballets, remixed Vivaldi's Four Seasons, and became a favoured soundtrack composer (notably for Waltz With Bashir and Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror). He gained much experience and become influential in the crossover territory between classical and electronica (above all, the fertile arena of ambient music), and has collaborated with acts as diverse as Future Sound Of London, Roni Size and Robert Wyatt. These contributions to the spirit of cross-pollination were recognised when Rough Trade asked him to compile a 2017 mix collection (Behind The Counter), which folded together music from the worlds of classical, post-rock and electronica.
As with any important, large-scale classical work, particular excerpts from Sleep have become especially well-known. The project has been assisted most notably by a magical single-CD reduction, from Sleep, as well as an album of remixes by complementary acts such as Mogwai, while 'Dream 3 (in the midst of my life)' was also pressed as an extremely collectable vinyl single in 2016. Such was its impact, by the time the same track appeared on Behind The Counter, it felt as classic as the centuries-old pieces surrounding it.
Sleep was the landmark work Richter was born to compose, bringing together all the strands of his compositional life (from opera to ambience) in a readily relatable, bewitching conceptual and durational piece, the influence of which seemed to have galvanised all the post-classical acts who were waiting in the wings.
The years since Sleep's release have seen an explosion in works indebted to Richter, but none has come close to the monumental impact of Sleep. Influenced by the symphonic works of Mahler, the work consists of 31 variations on a small set of themes and features the suitably rich and moving voice of soprano singer Grace Davidson. The American Contemporary Music Ensemble provide mysterious, drifting string quintet interludes which, in the eight-hour version (as the body moves between deep sleep and dreams), blend into the slow, splendid and stirring 'Dream' and 'Path' melodies which have made Sleep such a populist composition – particularly for World Sleep Day.
As well as being one of the new century's most successful pieces of contemporary classical music, on another level Sleep is a very high-quality New Age relaxation aid. Yet it also has an Eno-esque ambient task-accompaniment philosophy, is minimal yet accessible, revolves around a vast amount of compositional toil and presents something of a trial for any musicians who attempt to perform it. Richter has created a work of art that is for everyone, accomplishing this feat subtly yet curiously, without pulling any punches.
As the very act of sleep has come under threat in the Western world – so much so that World Sleep Day was created in 2008, in order to help promote this most fundamental of needs – so Max Richter has reset our expectations about the final third of each person's day. The eight-hour Sleep is an essential part of any new rituals for that aspect of your life: an accompaniment to that crucial but often begrudged portion of our existence; one which could usefully flush out all the twitchy mobile phone activity and late-night emails which have conspired to separate us from proper satiation of one of our core physical and physiological needs. As Richter himself says: "We are all in need of a pause button."
Whether it's World Sleep Day or not, the next morning, when you wake up and start again, perhaps you will be reborn.

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Interview: Chris Young opens up about bringing his Losing Sleep World Tour to the UK and teases new music

Chris Young has a new album on the way this year and lead single Raised on Country is climbing up the charts fast.

Before the album arrives, Young is heading back to the UK in May for a series of headline dates with Lindsay Ell is tow. The dates are part of his extensive Losing Sleep World Tour and they will be his final dates before he launches the Raised on Country Tour in the US straight after.

I caught up with Chris to talk about his return to the UK, find out about his upcoming new album, and to discuss a possible follow-up to his 2016 festive collection It Must Be Christmas.

You're bringing your Losing Sleep World Tour to the UK in May. How are you feeling about it?

I'm ecstatic. Seeing the dates on my calendar and knowing where I get to go and going to some places that I haven't actually yet been to play on my own. Also seeing a lot of the stuff on social media and everybody being excited that I'm coming back. That's a really good feeling.

You've been on the road for a long time with this tour. What can we expect?

The biggest thing that people will see, if they've seen me before, is there's a lot of music I've released since I've was last over. There's going to be a whole lot more music that I get to add to my show. Obviously when you change a setlist, a whole lot of other thing's change such as the transition stuff that I've started doing on stage, the back and forth banter with the crowd and stuff that I do with my band. It's a much different show from a couple years ago.

Your new single Raised on Country is rocketing up the charts and looking like it might be your twelfth number one hit. What has the reaction to that song been?

Man! The reaction that I've seen just since I put it out here in the States has been crazy. The very first time I got a chance to play it for a crowd was at an acoustic setting so it was just me with a couple of my guitar players. That was crazy because people wanted to sing it back the very first time they heard it. There are a lot of parts that are very call and response with the crowd. There's moments where people get a chance to sing along with it. It was cool to actually see people doing it, knowing how long I've been working on that song. I actually wrote it on the road last year in February while we're out on the tour dates. I've had that one ready to go for quite a long time. It's exciting to see that kind of response.

Would you say that the song is quite indicative of what we can expect from your new album later this year?

Absolutely. This album is definitely going to skew that direction as far as tone and as far as types of songs. To be honest, I do cut a lot of love songs (laughs) and I'm not shy about doing that. This is something that's topically a little bit different for people but I didn't really have that straightforward this is who I am anthem so to speak, that's really, really country. There's going to be a lot of stuff topically that maybe I haven't touched on before. I wrote a song that's going to be on the record called Drowning about losing somebody that's close to you. There's going to be a lot for people to dig into on the album as a whole.

Can we expect any collaborations on this record?

Yes there will be some collaborations on this on this project. There weren't any on Losing Sleep and people were like, 'why? Is it because you did two collaborations on the I'm Comin' Over record and you didn't want to go back?' It was just the songs that I cut, there wasn't anyone that made sense. When I sang Think Of You with Cassadee (Pope), I wouldn't want anybody else on the song but here. I'm so glad that she wanted to do that. Same goes with Vince Gill on Sober Saturday Night. I knew I wanted Vince on that song. I was just glad he didn't hang up the song I called it up his house (laughs).

Straight after the UK dates, you launch your next headline tour Raised on Country in the US. You tour relentless. How do you keep up your stamina and prepare for that?

I love to travel and I'm pretty good about not needing a regular schedule as far as when I actually get sleep (laughs). I think probably the combination of those two things has enabled me to keep going. In May it will be 13 years that I've been on RCA and I haven't really slowed down much any of those years but I love my job.

I feel like you should follow up Losing Sleep by titling the next record Who Needs Sleep…

(laughs) Yeah, we don't need it!

You were one of the first Country artists to really make touring in the UK a priority and you'll have seen over the years the growth the genre has had here. How do you feel about being a part of that?

Being in the large group of people that have made it a point to go play somewhere outside the US (laughs), I think probably has a little to do with it. I just think it's one of those things that almost you don't really know why there's such a drive towards the music right now. I love it. It's one of the things that I've been super vocal about to anybody. The very first time I came over and played we were doing something with the CMA where it was four people acoustic for a songwriter's round. A couple of shows we played were really more like pubs than they were anything else. I just was like, 'you've got to go over. You have to see the enthusiasm that people have for Country music'. It's only continued to grow since then and, like you said, it just seems like it's really at a point where it's reaching everybody once you're over there playing right now, which is awesome. It's something that I love. Obviously singing Country music all my life, it's reall y fun to be able to tell people, 'I played a week while I was over in the U.K.' and they're like, 'really? There are that many people that are Country fans out there?' and I'm like, 'yeah, there are' and it's awesome to say that.

Last time we spoke you'd just released It Must Be Christmas, which is one of the best Christmas records ever. Are we going to get a sequel at some point?

Thank you, first of all! I think I'm going to add to it. That was something that we've discussed. There's obviously so much music out there when you get around Christmas time. I think that that will be, if not a completely different record, at least expanded upon at some point.

Chris Young's new single Raised on Country is available to download and stream now. He will be in the UK in May and you get tickets for his shows at https://ticketmaster-uk.tm7559.net/QW29o.

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Moby's new album will literally put you to sleep

Moby's latest album is called Long Ambients 2.

Calm

In tandem with last Friday's World Sleep Day, musician Moby released his latest album, Long Ambients 2. The ambient electronica album is available exclusively on the Calm meditation app and is a sequel to Long Ambients 1: Calm. Sleep, released in 2016.

With a Calm account, you can listen to Moby's six relaxing tracks to meditate, work or fall asleep to at about 37 minutes each.

"I originally made these songs for myself because I couldn't find this type of music anywhere," Moby said. "Long Ambients 2 was designed to help me sleep and to help other people find calm and maybe get a good night's sleep. I hope to share it with other people who have sleep issues or battle anxiety or have a hard time calming themselves down."

In a blog post, Calm said it was thrilled to have Moby launch his album on the app.

"Music is the universal language; so, it makes perfect sense that it's such a big and growing part of Calm and our mission to make the world happier and healthier," the app said.

Samsung users can listen to Moby's new album in the Health app since Calm integrated into Samsung devices earlier this month. 

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Man Falls Asleep Listening to Music with Earbuds On, Wakes Up Deaf in One Ear

The Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Taiwan's Asia University Hospital recently reported the case of a student who fell asleep while listening to music with earbuds on and woke up completely deaf in one year.

The popularity of headphones and earbuds has skyrocketed right alongside that of smartphones, with people using them pretty much everywhere, either to listen to music, take phone calls or even study. Some people reportedly use them while sleeping to learn foreign languages subconsciously. Even though "hypnopedia", or the ability to learn during sleep, isn't supported by any scientific evidence, many people still believe that because the brain is able to perceive sound during sleep, by exposing it to new information will cause it to retain at least some of it. But apparently, testing this concept, or even listening to music with earbuds or headphones on while sleeping isn't a very good idea.

Photo: Pixabay.com

Dr. Tian Huiji, director of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Asia University Hospital, in Taiwan, warned people against using earbuds and headphones to expose their ears to loud sounds while they're sleeping, using a recent case as an example of possible consequences. He talked about a second-year student who showed up at the hospital complaining of being unable to hear with one ear. He told doctors that he had the habit of putting on his earbuds and listening to music before going to sleep, but the night before experiencing his sudden deafness, he had fallen asleep with the earbuds on.

Luckily for the unnamed student, one of the earbuds fell off while he was sleeping, so the deafness only affected one ear. Dr. Huiji said that the teen gradually recovered after being hospitalized for 5 days, but advised people experiencing similar symptoms to seek medical help as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage.

 

Dr Huiji explained that even though some people wear earbuds and headphones for hours on end virtually every day without experiencing sudden deafness, doing the same thing while sleeping is much more dangerous. When we fall asleep, blood circulation in our body slows down, so while the hair cells in our ears are still stimulated by sounds coming out of the earbuds/headphones, the body cannot supply enough blood to them, which can result in sudden deafness.

According to the director of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, earbuds are particularly dangerous, because they don't allow any of the sound to escape outside. Padded headphones and earhook headphones are a safer choice, as they allow some of the sound to dissipate, but the volume at which sound is played is important as well. As a rule, Dr. Huiji advises against using any type of earphones or earbuds during sleep and also giving your ears a 10-minute break after every 50 minutes of using these hearing accessories during the day.

via OMG Taiwan

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12 innovative products to help you get your best sleep ever

© Getty Images stock Serene couple sleeping in bed

Sleep Better TODAY continues with Better Basics for a great night of sleep!

Lifestyle expert Jenn Falik stopped by Wednesday with picks that will help you upgrade your nightly routine. From bedding and pajamas to your bedside lamps, these are Falik's genius recommendations for superior snoozing!

Sleep Accessories

1. NodPod Weighted Sleep Mask, $30, Amazon

Looking for the benefits of a weighted blanket, but hesitant about weighing down your entire body? This sleep mask is like a focused version of the blanket! It contours to your face to stay in place all night long, providing relief from insomnia, headaches, eye strain and stress. Scent-free and double sided with one cooling option and one cozy fleece option, it'll keep you comfortable no matter what the temperature is.

This gel bead mask offers soothing comfort to the sensitive skin around your eyes. The microwave-safe beads can be heated up to help you relax, increase blood flow to the eye area and provide relief from congested sinuses. It can also be cooled in the fridge to help with puffy eyes and make waking up easier. The super soft plush backing means that no matter what temperature you use, it'll be comfortable on your eyes!

3. Nite Nite and Wake Up Patches, $12 for set of 8, UncommonGoods

Try upgrading your sleep aids with these soothing, sleep-inducing patches. Designed to help you wind down, the patches hold a calming combination of melatonin, hops, and valerian root. The ingredients are slowly released for up to 12 hours, and your body only absorbs what it needs.

There's also a morning version, which combines B12, B1, caffeine, and green tea extract to help wake you up.

4. ThisWorks Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, $25, Amazon

This pillow spray will bring your nightly routine to the next level. The blend of wild chamomile, lavender, and vetivert oils can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep.

A clinical study showed that 97 percent of users slept better, 89 percent fell asleep faster, and 98 percent felt more refreshed in the morning — and 100 percent of the users would recommend the deep sleep pillow spray to a friend.

Pajamas

Originally a swimwear brand, Summersalt uses innovative fabrics to give you the best fit. These new pajamas in a classic piped design feature a blend of polyester and stretch terry, creating a highly absorbent, sweat-wicking material.

"When it is hot, skin stays cool, but on chilly nights, the soft pile yarn feels warm and cozy," said Falik. "The material is also designed with maximum stretch and recovery so the shape keeps, and the pajamas look and feel fresh even after many wears."

2. Lunya Restore Pajamas, $58+, Lunya

Lunya's latest sleepwear line is restorative and replenishing, helping your body relax while you sleep. The collection features a Celliant fabric blend featuring a proprietary mix of FDA-regulated minerals which absorb and convert body heat into infrared energy. That energy is then recycled back into your body to help you sleep more comfortably, while also increasing your oxygen levels to recharge.

"Basically, it's as if you plugged yourself in and woke up with 100 percent battery," said Falik. With tons of style options and multiple colors, you'll be sure to find a set you love.

Bedding and Blankets

1. Cloud Comforter, $120+, Buffy

Try swapping a basic comforter for this innovative one from Buffy. Millions of microscopic, natural minerals embedded in the comforter work to regulate body temperatures and keep sleepers cool on hot nights, or warm on cold winter ones.

The silky eucalyptus fabric and the air-blown, layered fill will make you feel like you're sleeping in the softest, fluffiest cloud.

2. 5-Piece Bedding Set, $149+, Primary

This sheet set actually makes making the bed easier — seriously! The flat top sheet and duvet snap together, meaning you can adjust them in just one movement. Plus, the sheet won't bunch and twist while you're trying to sleep.

The set includes a duvet cover, top sheet, fitted sheet, and two pillow shams, and comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

3. Baloo Queen-Size Weighted Blanket, $169, Baloo

Instead of a throw blanket, try one of these Baloo organic weighted blankets. Made with certified organic materials and lead-free glass beads, these blankets are cool and breathable. Weighted blankets can also help with a variety of troubles, including anxiety, insomnia, and autism.

Pillows

1. Ravmix Silk Pillowcase, $24, Amazon

Upgrade your basic pillow case with this affordable option from Amazon. Beauty insiders swear by silk pillowcases to protect skin from aging and keep hair smooth overnight. This pillowcase comes in dozens of colors and has a hidden zipper closure so you don't snag hair or skin while you sleep, and is even machine washable!

2. Pilo Classic Ergonomic Smart Music Pillow, $170, Amazon

With built-in speakers, this is a pillow and sound machine all-in-one! With 52 multifaceted contour cuts, it offers comfort for all types of sleepers and gives great head and neck support, while also providing superior pressure relief. It also comes with a smartphone app pre-loaded with the ambient music and sounds that are most conducive to deep sleep.

Lighting

1. The Glow Light, $99+, Casper

Casper's Glow Light softly lulls you to sleep with a warm light that gradually dims so your body winds down before bed, and turns itself off so you won't have to get out of bed to flip a switch. The light's ambient light sensor also helps users in the middle of the night by letting off just enough light to help you find your way. In the morning, it gently wakes you up filling the room with soft light.

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On World Sleep Day tips to help your child get more shut eye

The 12th World Sleep Day, which is being celebrated today, aims to shed light on the importance of sleep across all age groups. While in the adult years, sleep issues may trigger serious health impacts including cardiovascular issues, hypertension, depression and fast cognitive decline, in case of kids, the consequences of poor sleep are reflected mainly in their brain development and academic performances.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine lays the following sleep-duration guidelines for children across different age brackets:

4 to 12 months — 12 to 16 hours

1 to 2 years — 11 to 14 hours

3 to 5 years — 10 to 13 hours

6 to 12 years — 9 to 12 hours

13 to 18 years — 8 to 10 hours

Well, if you want to ensure that your children get the right amount of sleep based on their age, your secret to success lies in following sleep guidelines on a regular basis. A recent review of sleep research conducted at the University of British Columbia (UBC) found that this rule works wonders for all age groups including adolescents. Their review found several studies which revealed that adolescents who were bound by strict sleep guidelines set by their parents snoozed better than those whose parents hadn't created a regular routine. The review by UBC was focussed towards analysing the data of sleep hygiene followed by 16 countries in North America, Europe and Asia. It involved around 300,000 kids in four age groups: Infants and toddlers (four months to two years), preschoolers (three to five years), school-age children (six to 12 years) and adolescents (13 to 18 years).

Here are the top 7 sleep rules that will give better sleep to your little ones. Celebrate this World Sleep Day by setting them up today and sticking to them. Every day.

Create and follow a regular bedtime routine This routine could include reading a book together or listening to a calming music. However, the duration of this routine shouldn't be more than 30 minutes and end in your little one's bedroom only. Stick to this schedule every day. This ritual will send signals to your child's brain that it's time for sleep while helping him relax. Make sure that he doesn't indulge in any sort stimulating activity immediately before bedtime. Also, it is extremely crucial to follow the same bedtime and wake-up time every day. Don't let this change on weekends, or else, it will be difficult for your child to get back to the previous schedule on Monday. A variation of 30 minutes to an hour, however, should be okay. 

Reward your childIf your child follows the bedtime routine that you have set up for a week, reward her with points. If she sticks to the routine for seven days, she earns seven points. After she earns seven points surprise her with a gift. This will work as an incentive for her to follow the routine set up by you.

Switch off the screens The blue light from various screens confuses the brain and interferes with the production of sleep hormones. So, make sure your child is away from TV, mobile, laptop or tabs at least an hour before going to bed. A recent European study revealed that kids who were hooked on to screens in a dark room before bedtime had a higher chance of getting inadequate sleep. Their quality of sleep was also found to be low. The research involved 278 children in the age group of 4 years. This practice was also linked to long daytime nap.

Inculcate healthy eating habits A large-scale research from last year that involved 177,091 Greek children in the age bracket of 8 to 17 found that 40 per cent of them were sleep deprived. This study found that there was a link between their insufficient sleep and eating habits which included skipped breakfast, fast-food addiction, and regular.

Keep your kids active Get your little ones into the habit of working out during the day. This will give them better shut eye during the night. Make sure that they do not become couch potatoes. Keep your kids active through the day.

Don't let them indulge in caffeine If your kids are finding it difficult to fall asleep regularly, then probably it's time for you to monitor if they are indulging a bit too much in caffeine-based drinks. Caffeine can mess up with their sleep even if they have it hours before going to bed. This should be strictly limited. Coffee-based chocolates and ice creams can also interfere with your child's sleep time.

Prep up his bedroom Everyone needs a cool, dark and quiet room to fall asleep. This applies to kids as well. Make sure your child isn't feeling too cold or hot while he hits the bed. So, it's essential to keep an eye on what he wears while going to bed. Also, make sure that there is pin drop silence in his room as kids are extra sensitive to noise.

Published: March 15, 2019 6:36 pm

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DJ Will Clarke Shares His Favorite Places To Eat, Sleep, And Party In Detroit

BEEDEE/iStock

If Detroit isn't on your current list of must-visit cities in America, remedy that immediately. Even in its fallow years, fans and creators of experimental underground electronic music have always held the city in high regard. It maintains a legendary status amongst the early techno artists who once called the Motor City home. Now the rest of the world is catching up — the city has been going through a quiet renaissance with new restaurants, clubs, and hotels helping revitalize the downtown area.

To help get you hip to what's popping in Detroit, we tapped Bristol-born electronic musician and DJ Will Clarke who now calls the city home. The Dirtybird Records luminary is about to drop his latest single "Feeling Good," on March 15th. With the launch fast-approaching, he offered to break down some of his favorite spots in his adopted city.

Where to Stay

The Shinola Hotel

A super brand new hotel that has been opened by Detroit-based leather watch brand Shinola and real estate firm Bedrock. The Shinola Hotel has some sdope rooms and great restaurants like Penny Red's. Also, it's in the heart of downtown which is perfect to check out the ever-evolving city of Detroit.

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Every Inch of This Room Was Designed to Give You the Best Sleep of Your Life

There are tons of gadgets out there aimed at helping us with the daunting task of falling asleep—weighted blankets, sound machines, noise blocking pillows, you name it. But these apartments in London take it one step further—okay, multiple steps—by designing entire rooms around the idea of falling and staying asleep.

Design-focused serviced apartment brand Cuckooz teamed up with a UK-based mattress company, Simba, to create three apartments in Spitalfields, which is close to Liverpool Street in London. The Cuckooz website describes the rooms as "expertly designed to take you on a journey to your perfect night's sleep," which honestly, sounds like something I could use right now—and every night.

"The Woom Room" bed is the most interesting part of the sleep-inducing apartments—the frame itself uses slats of plywood fitted together to create a sense of being enclosed in a mother's womb, mimicking a cocoon-like design.

In an interview with Dwell, co-founder of Cuckooz, Fabiene O'Neil, reveals some details of each specific design.

"Designed to encourage REM-rich slumber—the type of sleep which increases brain activity, promotes learning, and creates dreams, the rooms engage with every sensorial touchpoint of the body," said O'Neil. "[This creates] a holistic ecosystem that enhances your sleep from the moment you step through the door, helping you to power down, recharge, and fight fatigue."

As soon as you walk in, you'll hear a curated playlist of cello music wafting through the rooms, which has been proved to reduce stress levels. Blackout blinds are fitted to each window with sound-absorbing curtains, and the apartments actually each have certain scents and colors that are supposed to help you nod off.

There are yoga mats, rocking chairs, dream-inspiring prints on the walls, and the meditation app Calm is ready to go on all devices. The rooms specifically use Lumie alarm clocks to mimic natural sunlight—so no annoying beeping will wake you up in the morning. You might want to borrow some of these ideas for your own bedroom, if you can't try it out firsthand.

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Day In The Life Of A Sleep Seeker: Searching For Calm From Hitting The Alarm To Lights Out

ALPINE, Utah, March 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Meet Jane. Well, Sleepy Jane to be exact. Haven't heard of her? Not surprised, as you won't catch her at the coffee shop or out late bar hopping. She's the type of person who prefers to be well-rested, who is perpetually in search of the calm in life. She lives the idealistic life of a sleep seeker, optimizing her daily routine to make sure every decision supports that lifestyle.

Join us on a 24-hour adventure in the life of Sleepy Jane, who lives in a state of perpetual sleepiness day-in and day-out, because she values her rest above all else. Why is she letting the world in on her sleep-centric secrets? There's really no better time than Sleep Awareness Week happening now through March 16. Sleepy Jane wants to show others how they might be able to infuse a bit more relaxation into their day, even if they understandably don't live their life to the extreme as she does. There are a ton of ways to enjoy moments of calm all day long, even when you're far from a nighttime slumber, and it's up to you to see what works best.

Follow a day in the life of Sleepy Jane for a bit of sleep-spiration, where each aspect of her day is focused on rest, rest and more – you guessed it – rest:

7:00 a.m. Wakes up…kinda. She uses a sun light-mimicking alarm, which helps the mind awaken slowly and gently.7:10 a.m. Ta-da! Gets up!7:30 a.m. Drinks passionfruit tea for its ability to calm the mind. (fun fact:Our ancestors used it for its sedative effects.)8:00 a.m. Eats cereal with milk as it helps produce the sleep aid serotonin, helping Sleepy Jane better regulate her sleep schedule so she can catch some Zzzs with ease.9:00 a.m. Goes outside to help regulate her circadian rhythm and heads out for a 0.1-mile-long run (so she can say she went for a run, technically speaking), but turns on the tunes to enjoy soothing music that guides her steady speed, including "Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven, "Stardust" by Willie Nelson, "Kind of Blue" by Miles Davis and "Badzium" by Erykah Badu.9:45 a.m. On her way back home, Jane passes through a botanical garden to enjoy the natural repeating patterns – such as those found in a field's worth of flower petals – which have a uni quely calming effect.10:15 a.m. Enjoys a post-exercise recovery snack of bananas that helps her muscles relax and better regulate sleep patterns.1:00 p.m. Makes lunch comprised of a salad with chickpeas, another serotonin-producing power food to make sure her nighttime sleep is restful.2:30 p.m. Takes a quick power nap, but making sure to limit it to 20 minutes to prevent from becoming groggy or throwing off her sleep cycle.3:00 p.m. Practices mindfulness with yoga to help her control her thoughts and relax. Even takes a few minutes to stare out the window and get lost in the outdoors. This is also the reason she has many bird feeders in her backyard.4:00 p.m. Inspired by all the chalk art on her neighbor's driveway, she goes outside to blow bubbles, a child-like activity that actually is akin to a deep breathing exercise.5:00 p.m. Conveniently walks through a nearby 10-acre field of lavender for the ultimate calming effect (or if raining, simply lights a lavender-scented cand le).6:30 p.m. Has breakfast. I mean, dinner. No, I meant breakfast for dinner (aka "brinner"). Foods such as bananas (filled with muscle-relaxing potassium), eggs (high in protein which is known to help aid sleep) and toast (a light source of carbs to regulate blood sugar) helps her get better sleep.8:00 p.m. Dims all the house lights so her body isn't tricked into thinking it's still daytime, while her phone's blue light turns off automatically in preparation for bedtime.8:30 p.m. Turns the thermostat down to within the 60 – 68 degree range so she can slip into a faster sleep.9:00 p.m. Takes a warm bath to raise her body temperature slightly before cooling down quickly, mimicking the natural drop in body temperature caused by the brain as it readies the body for sleep.9:30 p.m. Pops a cup of cherry juice, a sleep-inducing concoction that helps her fall asleep, and stay asleep, for a good, peaceful rest.9:45 p.m. Turns on the 8-hour album called "Sleep," developed for listen ing while snoozing.10:00 p.m. Slips under the sheets to get the recommended seven to nine hours of shut-eye and makes the most of it with a proper night's sleep on her Purple bedding – which is soft where she wants it and stays firm where she needs it – no matter where or how she falls asleep.

Good night and sweet dreams, Sleepy Jane.

About Purple Purple is an innovative comfort product company that designs and manufactures products to improve people's lives. It designs and manufactures a range of comfort products, including mattresses, pillows, and cushions, using its patented Hyper-Elastic Polymer® material designed to improve comfort. The Company markets and sells its products through its direct-to-consumer online channel, traditional retail partners, and third-party online retailers. For more information on Purple, visitpurple.com. 

Media Contact Savannah HobbsDirector of Communications, Purplesavannah@purple.com

ICR Public RelationsAdam BelmontAccount Director646-277-1294PurplePR@icrinc.com

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/day-in-the-life-of-a-sleep-seeker-searching-for-calm-from-hitting-the-alarm-to-lights-out-300810052.html

SOURCE Purple, Inc.

Copyright (C) 2019 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

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5 ways to fall asleep faster, according to sleep doctors

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March 11, 2019, 8:09 PM GMT

By Wendy Rose Gould

At BETTER we take care to recommend items we hope you'll enjoy! Just so you know, BETTER may get a small share of the revenue.

Using interviews with specialists, online reviews and personal experience, BETTER editors, writers and experts take care to recommend items we really like and hope you'll enjoy! BETTER does have affiliate relationships with various online retailers. So, while every product is independently selected, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the revenue.

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Sometimes it seems like the world is conspiring against your ability to get some sleep. The birds, as lovely as they are, start chirping way too early and the landscapers and car-honkers always seem to follow suit. That construction zone down the street somehow sounds as if it were directly outside your window, that weekday party went way too long, and to top it all off, the government has literally stolen an hour from you via daylight saving.

While many external factors aren't within your control, you can do a few things to help lull yourself to sleep and, once your there, ensure that your sleep is the kind that will have you feeling energized the next morning. We tapped a handful of experts for advice on how to get more zzz's — and the products that will help you doze off.

1. Consider Meditation (For Real This Time)

You've heard this advice ad nauseum, but there's a reason meditation has been prescribed to treat the human condition since roughly 1500 BCE. "The art of falling asleep is actually not trying so hard," says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, who's board-certified in both psychiatry and sleep medicine. "Knowing how to clear your thoughts and focus on breathing will always help. The trick is to practice by day — not when it's mission-critical at 3 a.m." Meditation can be as simple as sitting in a quiet space and taking meaningful, deliberate breaths or listening to your favorite music for five minutes.

For some guidance, try an app like Headspace, which walks you through sessions and even has special category for Sleep Sounds and Meditations.

2. Eliminate Allergens from Your Bedroom

The accumulation of allergens in your bedroom can contribute to subpar sleep. "Reducing your exposure to allergens — such as dust mites, pollen and pet dander — while you sleep will reduce itchy watery eyes, eczema, nasal congestion, and coughing," notes Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist and immunologist with Allergy & Asthma Network. "The bedroom is most important place to keep allergen free since we spend most time at once there." To help, keep windows closed during peak-pollen seasons, keep pets off the bed, and wash your bedding, dust and sweep once a week. Also, Dr. Parikh says that any HEPA air purifier will help combat mold and animal dander. Since pollen and dust mites are too small to be filtered, she recommends a dust mite cover that zips around your mattress and box spring.

3. Avoid Blue Light Around Bedtime

We're surrounded by blue light via smart phones and light bulbs, and it notably contributes to wakefulness. "Your body needs to know that it's nighttime so it can prepare for sleep. This is why, when you are camping, it's hard to stay awake," says Dr. Amy Serin, a neuropsychologist and author of "The Stress Switch." "The brain uses sunlight to know when it's day or night, but unfortunately artificial light can trick your body into thinking it's daytime. It's not just your screens doing it — lamps and overhead lighting trick your brain as well."

Camping every single night (or resisting the urge to scroll Instagram) isn't an option for most of us, but blue-light filtering glasses can help.

4. Eliminate Drama Right Before Sleep

A spike in cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, can contribute to an inability to fall asleep. For that reason, it's best to eliminate all sources of stress before going to bed. That includes highly dramatic TV shows and movies (save the Free Solo documentary for the afternoon), stressful text messages or conversations, and racing thoughts. "Because sleep is dependent on nervous system regulation, reducing stress and restoring someone to a state of calm can promote sleep onset, and can help someone go back to sleep if they wake up prematurely during the night," says Dr. Serin, who invented a neuroscience device, called TouchPoints, that helps stabilize cortisol levels to help you fall asleep more easily. "Anything relaxing can help someone fall asleep like gentle music, aromatherapy and deep breathing, meditation, even journaling and winding down with herbal tea before bed can help."

Dr. Dimitriu adds: "If you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes, get out of bed and do something boring and relaxing. A dim light and a book are ideal."

5. Keep Cool — Literally

"Your body naturally wants to cool down as you enter deep sleep, and anything you can do that increases this cooling helps with getting deeper, more restorative sleep," says Dr. Dimitriu. This can be as simple as taking a warm shower about an hour before bed, which triggers your body to lower its internal temperature. "I'm a minimalist when it comes to devices and special products to improve sleep. Essentially, I try to encourage my patients to keep their sleep routines simple and straight forward," adds Dimitriu. As far as products which can improve sleep — quite simply a comfortable bed (softer for side sleepers), and a good pillow to match can help. While cooling pads and blankets are available, it might just be simplified to using a light enough blanket made of breathable fabric to facilitate good cooling and breathability. Room temperature is essential too, and should be kept on the cooler side, generally below 70 degrees."

If you are interested in testing out cooling bedding, there is an entire range of products out there. For example, the Buffy Cloud Comforter is constructed from highly breathable materials that help regulate temperature while also shield-guarding against allergens and Nest Bedding's Cooling Mattress Topper cools you while you sleep (while adding extra comfort) via two inches of their SmartFlow Gel Memory Foam.

Want more tips like these? NBC News BETTER is obsessed with finding easier, healthier and smarter ways to live. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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How To Fall Asleep Listening To Your iPhone Without Draining The Battery

Photo via freestocks.org

If you're the type of person who loves to fall asleep while listening to a perfect sleepytime playlist, you're not alone. According to studies, music enhances activities like sleep and workouts, especially if the beat matches the mood you're looking for.

The problem with sleeping while listening to music is that leaving a playlist running for more than three hours is not good for your phone's battery and general well-being. Luckily, there's a hack that allows your phone to stop playing music without needing your intervention, saving you some battery life and giving you and your iPhone a much needed rest.

RELATED: 5 Of Apple's Most Popular Products Were Developed By Other Companies

To get started, select the music or playlist you want to listen to, whether it's from Apple Music, Beats 1 radio or Spotify. Once you've done this, tap on the clock app on your home screen. Here, you'll see several functions at the bottom of the screen. Select the Timer function and set it to the approximate amount of time it'll take you to sleep, be that 20 minutes or 40. Select the When Timer Ends function, which will take you to another screen that contains your phone's ringtones. Scroll to the bottom of it and select Stop Playing.

This method ensures that the music you chose will play until your timer expires, hopefully saving you the trouble of an overheated phone, or the stress of waking up to a random rock song because you managed to sleep through your entire sleep playlist.

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The Common Sleep Mistake To Avoid During Daylight Saving Time, According To An Expert

It's the most un-wonderful time of the year — Daylight Saving Time. That's right my friendlies, this Saturday night/Sunday morning, whether you're ready or not, you're traveling one hour into the future at 2 a.m. local time. And knowing which common sleep mistake to avoid during Daylight Saving Time can help you survive this whole time-travel thing relatively unscathed. While an extra hour of daylight is definitely welcome, losing an hour of sleep can affect you for weeks, and even increase your risk of getting into a car accident or experiencing a medical issue, Live Science reported.

If you live in Arizona or Hawaii, the only two U.S. states that don't practice Daylight Saving Time, you're going to wake up Sunday morning happier and more relaxed than the rest of us. For those living in the other 48 states, though spring forward means more light in the evenings, it also means darker mornings. If you, like me, have trouble getting your day started when it's still dark outside, you're probably dreading spring forward. Dr. Mia Finkelston, a board-certified family physician who treats patients via telehealth app LiveHealth Online, tells Bustle that brightening up your room can ease the difficulty of getting up when it's still dark.

WeAre / Shutterstock

If you're generally an early riser, but the time change has you tempted to sleep until first light, don't do it. It can actually really mess up your sleep cycle. "Waking up before the sun is up can be tough, so I recommend having some bright lights nearby that you can turn on as soon as you get out of bed. Open the blinds just as you would, and anticipate the sunrise. Put on some upbeat music if that gets you moving! The point is, do something that will energize you," she advises.

Because of the darker mornings and the desire to regain that lost hour of sleep, the most common mistake people make is sleeping in the Sunday following spring forward. "Resist the urge to sleep in on Sunday and avoid sleeping an hour longer in the morning," Pradeep C. Bollu, MD, a neurologist, director of Sleep Disorders Center and professor at University of Missouri, told NBC News.

Another thing experts, including Dr. Finkelston, consistently recommend is preparing for spring forward in advance by adjusting your bedtime so you go to bed 15-20 minutes earlier in the days leading up to Daylight Saving Time.

Nadezhda Manakhova / Shutterstock

Because spring forward is tomorrow night, if you haven't already started, it's too late for this. However, you can still help make the transition easier by abstaining from alcohol, caffeine, bedtime snacks, and by powering down your devices at least an hour before bed on Saturday night.

In addition, Dr. Finkelston advises against taking naps in the days after the time change. Instead, try engaging in some type of physical activity to give yourself a little boost of energy. There's no doubt that Daylight Saving Time is tough, however keeping a consistent sleep schedule can help ease your exhaustion.

People tend to love or hate Daylight Saving Time with all their sleep-deprived hearts. No matter which camp you fall into, you can get through this difficult time like a boss by following the aforementioned guidelines. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

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Best Binaural Beats for Sleep Audio Music Report Launched

Audio Sound Tech launched an accessible guide for customers looking for the best binaural beat service, offering easy-to-read info on popular services and informative pros-and-cons sections.

(Newswire.net -- March 7, 2019) -- Audio Sound Tech launched an accessible guide for customers looking for the best binaural beat service, offering easy-to-read info on popular services and informative pros-and-cons sections.

Audio Sound Tech, an informative website specializing in headphones and other audio technology, announced "Best Binaural Beats For Sleep - A Comprehensive Guide", an online report offering readers practical information on how to choose the best binaural beats packages for their needs. Featuring an easy-to-read analysis of various binaural audio services, the report is ideal for anyone looking for unbiased information on where to find the best binaural beats.

More information can be found at https://audiosoundtech.com/best-binaural-beats-for-sleep.

Binaural beats have been reported by many to improve relaxation, concentration, and high-level information processing, depending on the specific sound frequency. With the large variety of binaural beat services currently available online, finding the best one can be challenging for the inexperienced user.

With the latest guide to binaural beats, Audio Sound Tech strives to provide an unbiased analysis of some of the most popular binaural beat services, thus helping readers find the one that best responds to their needs.

The report features an overview of each service, as well as a pros and cons section. The easy-to-read format is ideal for those looking for accessible information on services such as Brain Sync, Sleep Sanctuary, The Unexplainable Store and various others.

All analysis are followed by a brief overview of each service.

For instance, the report sums up the package offered by The Unexplainable Store as follows: "The Binaural Beats Sleep Package by The Unexplainable Store is a good option for those wanting an easy solution for sleep. The value packages are designed for speed. The immediate introduction to low Delta waves induces a calm state. At the same time, the background music relaxes your mind and body for maximum impact."

The extensive pros and cons section of each service ensure that they analysis is objective and customer-centered.

Interested parties can find more information by visiting the above-mentioned website.

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I Can Fall Asleep Listening to Music Without Worry, Thanks to This Little-Known iPhone Hack

Some people need complete and utter silence to get a good night's rest, but others require a little white noise or some bedtime tunes to drift off to sleep. If you're part of the latter group, then pick your favorite sleeping playlist and settle in, because this iPhone hack is about to make your life easier.

Letting your phone play music while you're unconscious may seem like a battery-draining disaster, but in reality there's an easy workaround.

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This $100 headband with headphones built into it is a game changer for falling asleep to music — here's what I thought

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Whether your neighbor just brought home a yappy dog, your partner snores, or you just really love listening to the measured cadence of an audiobook before you fall asleep, there are few prospective inventions so appealing as headphones that are comfortable enough to sleep in.

Like most people who rely upon audiobooks, podcasts, Orca Whale calls, or sleep playlists to fall asleep, I've been looking for such a hero product for a long time. Many high school mornings began with my mom tugging headphones out of my ears and an exasperated, obligatory warning about strangulation risk. Even now, roommates and thin walls prevent me from listening to music out loud at a comfortable volume (too low and you stay up straining to hear, too loud and you stay up worrying you're being rude). As a result, I've woken up with a sore neck, back, and limbs from falling asleep with bulky over-ear headphones or seemingly minimal in-ear pods. I've even tried layering my pillows to provide the ideal depression for my ear to fit with a headphone with minimal pressure.

In other words, I'm a good candidate for the AcousticSheep Wireless Bluetooth SleepPhones. They're the original sleep-friendly headphones, and you can find their Bluetooth version on Amazon for $99.95 or their Classics for $40 (not Bluetooth). The AcousticSheep headphones were created by a family physician to help patients fall asleep faster without relying on drugs. They're carried at Nordstrom, Amazon, Walmart, and other popular online retailers.

The company recently sent a pair of their Bluetooth SleepPhones for us to test, and I've been sleeping with them for over a week. While they're not perfect, they may very well be the best option available, and I've been happy with them.

First of all, it should be mentioned that there are cheaper iterations on the market. You can pick up an eye mask with Bluetooth built-in for $26 if you don't mind the limited use or prefer the style, and there are other Bluetooth headbands on the market for less money, though with potential trade-offs like lower volumes, a shorter battery life, or bulkier audio pieces that may not be comfortable enough to lay down on.

The AcousticSheep SleepPhones may not be perfect â€" one Amazon review accurately described their original product as feeling like a "prototype" â€" but most bed-friendly headphones still feel like an advanced school science project. But of what I've tried, the AcousticSheep are the best, and the company has fixed many of the bugs found in earlier versions. The SleepPhones do what I need them to do, and they do it without any of the little inconveniences that would make buying sleep headphones otherwise moot.

The lower right is the thin speaker, which I've found to be comfortable enough to sleep on.Nordstrom

The Bluetooth has been reliable and removed the discomfort of cords, the battery life lasts all night (it should go for 1o hours on a full charge), and, most importantly, the ultra-thin flat headphone speakers are comfortable to sleep on even when lying down on my side. In terms of comfort, they are the best I've tried. I've also noticed that the volume capacity is thankfully louder than other sleep-friendly products. The Bluetooth SleepPhones comes in three sizes to accommodate different head sizes, and if you'd prefer it as a sleep mask, you can use it that way, too.

Unlike many similar products, the AcousticSheep SleepPhones work like any other pair of headphones â€" letting you play whatever music or white noise you like, rather than being restricted to the same meditation tunes you find in an app. And unless you're playing them at a very high volume, a partner should not be able to hear the noise. There isn't a timer or "sleep setting" but you can usually set one on the app you're using. And while some early reviews mention speakers sliding around in earlier iterations, I haven't noticed that with my own pair.

In terms of downsides, the SleepPhones are pricey, and while the soft fleece is comfortable and thick enough to cushion against the tech, it might not be ideal for anyone who sleeps hot. There's no indication of low battery (something you can address by consistent charging), and you have to "gut" the headband each time you want to charge the speakers.

Despite its flaws, the SleepPhones manage to avoid the more obnoxious inconveniences that make buying sleep headphones pointless in the end. For those tradeoffs, I found them to be among the best options for comfort, audio quality and volume, and battery life. If that's worth $100 to you, you may want to give them a shot.

AcousticSheep SleepPhones Wireless, $99.95

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Relaxing Music & Sleep Sounds

Just updated & already amazingly popular – the Ultimate Sleep App. Instantly relax your overactive mind, sleep soundly & get ready to take on the day. How long has it been since you have experienced that?

No other app on the market will give you access to 24 of the most relaxing, 'HIGHEST QUALITY' compositions created specifically to help you sleep. The composers of our licensed music have received literally millions of views & thousands of positive comments on their respective YouTube channels. Truly they are the leaders in relaxing music online.

Select from 30 different sounds, many perfect for baby as well as adult & 24 carefully selected melodies.

**Recently added – the ever popular Binaural Beats** Earbuds or head phones required for maximum benefit. Can be "stand alone" or combined with any sound or music. Works amazingly well with YBC music. Use our free trial to try it out!

Features:• 30 Sounds – Nature & white no ise type – Pre-mastered, high quality stereo recordings.• 24 musical selections with huge variety or gorgeous sleep inducing music by two leading internet composers.• Binarual Beats• Add as many sounds to music as you want to create your own custom mix• Save to "favorites" so ready to go next time – create, name, save, replay• With timer, play all night or fade after a couple of hours – you choose with Premium• With Premium, you have your own private alarm clock, which if wearing earbuds, only you will hear & will not disrupt the sleep of anyone else in the room.• Beautiful, simple, easy to use interface – runs in the background while using other apps.• Try the Premium version out on us with our 14 Day Free Trial – no subscription or sign up necessary so no renewal fees.

Sounds available: Airplane, Bathroom Fan, Birds, Black Noise, Blizzard, Box Fan, Brown Noise, *Busy Hwy, Campfire, Crickets, *Crowd Talking, Fireplace, Floor Fan, Forest Sound s, Gentle Rain, Grey Noise, Hair Dryer, *Heartbeat, *Mother's Womb, Night Sounds, Ocean Sounds, Outer Space, Red Noise, River Rapids, Thunderstorm, Thunder-Heavy, Train, Tree Frogs & Waterfall.

*Sounds created specifically for babies – great background noise that they can go to sleep by & drowns out other family noises so that they can sleep through just about anything.

Music by Peder Helland (PH) & Yellow Brick Cinema (YBC) Music – 6 selections each offered in the free version & 6 more of each additional offered in the Premium version. All have a million or so views on YouTube with endless comments from listeners thanking them for how it has helped them to sleep or even just relax when stress or depressed. This music is great to read by, meditate, do yoga, or just relaxing in your favorite chair.

Benefits:• Invest in yourself & your family to get the best night's sleep ever. It may take a few nights to find just the right sound/music combo that works for you, but you will be so glad that you were persistent to find what puts you to sleep & keeps you there until your alarm stops the music to make sure you wake up in time to go to work!• Drown out that noisy person next to you, the neighbor next door, or the dog across the street with sweet sounds that overpower that annoying noise.• Helps to overcome stress, anxiety, tinnitus, random noise that would normally disturb sleep.• Create your own personalized playlist to suit any mood, increase ability to focus & be creative by removing distractions.• Soothe your small children to sleep, creating a peaceful sanctuary for you & your family.• Transform your hotel room into a familiar environment by blocking out unfamiliar noises.• If you travel, use it on the plane to block out chatter so you can nap.• If using earbuds, you have your own private alarm clock that only YOU will hear.• Wake up rested, ready to take on the world.

Download it now & get the most personalized relaxing experience you have ever had! Use the app yourself on your phone & download it to your iPad for the baby's room!

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Nescafe opens sleep cafe in Tokyo that allows customers to take a nap

News24xx.com - World Sleep Day, which falls on March 15th, is reminder for people to catch some much needed sleep. To celebrate this day, every year, coffee brand Nescafe opens a sleep cafe in Japan, which allows customers to take a nap.

This year, Nescafe will open their sleep cafe in Oimachi, Tokyo. But unlike the previous years where the cafes would come and go, this sleep cafe will stay permanently. It will be opened on March 6th.

READ MORE : South Korean movie, 'Extreme Job' becomes the second most watch South Korean movie in the history

The sleep cafes run by Nescafe have luxurious, high-quality mattresses and rooms with dimmed lighting to make them perfect napping spots. Customers can even choose the hardness of the mattresses and pillows and the music and lighting to their liking. They can also use eyemask that will monitor their sleep patterns.

There are different courses at the cafe. There is 30-minute nap course, which costs 750 Yen or around USD 6.78 plus tax. There is also 180-minutes sleep course, which costs 4,950 Yen or around USD 44.76 plus tax.

A cup of decaffeinated coffee will be served for you before you take your rest and a cup of caffeinated coffee will be served for you after you wake up. The coffees that are served are Nescafe's Gold Blend.

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Bon Jovi joins drive to give Nevada homeless youth a place to sleep

Chris Jordan Asbury Park Press

Published 5:36 PM EST Feb 21, 2019

Bon Jovi is famous for seeing a million faces and rocking them all.

These days, Jon Bon Jovi is helping to house them all, too. The JBJ Soul Foundation has pledged a matching grant, up to $100,000, for monies raised by the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth for a  campaign to fund a new facility that will provide beds for homeless youth in Southern Nevada.

 A $100,000 seed investment has already been submitted by the Las Vegas Sands via their charity branch, Sands Cares.

More: Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen: Gov. Phil Murphy visits furloughed federal workers lunch

"The high rate of youth homelessness and the dire need for housing in Southern Nevada was distressing to us," said Jon Bon Jovi in a statement. "We are pledging support for this campaign through a matching grant because we want to motivate others to take action. Together, we can give homeless youth more than just a place to sleep – we will provide them with the resources they need for self-sufficiency and success." 

The Sayreville-born rocker also released a short video about the initiative on his social media.

The Soul Foundation teamed with Help USA to build 51 units of affordable housing in Newark in 2008 after similar ventures in Philadelphia.  Overall, the foundation has helped provide funding for more than 600 units of affordable and supportive housing in 10 states for thousands of people, including youth and veterans.

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The Soul Foundation also operates the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen community restaurants in  Red Bank and Toms River.

"We knew that getting the JBJ Soul Foundation involved in Southern Nevada would be a great catalyst for our community, having seen the amazing results they have accomplished in other parts of the country," said Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs for the Las Vegas Sands, in a statement. "We hope to see a big community rally around the campaign momentum started by the JBJ Soul Foundation and Sands Cares. It's imperative that we give our community's vulnerable youth a fresh start."

The new Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth facility "will not only provide beds for youth, but also a foundation for delivering a myriad of services to put homeless youth on a pathway to self-sufficiency," according to a NPHY release. "Youth in NPHY's housing programs also receive wraparound support services, including one-on-one case management with a licensed social worker, life skills classes, therapy, workforce readiness training, educational counseling, transportation assistance, enrichment opportunities, and referrals to a wide range of community resources."

Clark County in Nevada ranks fifth in the nation for the rate of unaccompanied homeless youth living on the streets or in shelters. The state of Nevada has the nation's highest rate of unsheltered homeless youth, according to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. 

To learn more about NPHY's campaign or make a campaign pledge, visit www.nphy.org/aplacetosleep.

Chris Jordan: cjordan@app.com. Twitter: @chrisfhjordan

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