News — made in the USA

My family and I recently completed a whirlwind tour of Ireland. Ten nights in six different places, traveling by car all across the Emerald Isle. It was a wonderful vacation with plenty of experiences and memories, from the streets of Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher and back. There were many highlights, like having a pint at the Guinness factory, hiking the Connemara trails, marveling at the coasts of Dingle, and relaxing on Kilkenny’s medieval grounds.   Traveling with two young kids can be a daunting task, however. As we planned the trip, my spouse and I wondered how we...

 Now, if you weren’t already aware, March is designated as National Sleep Awareness Month (also important to note it’s Women’s History Month). So… you already know SleepSwag had to come out with a new blog! Sometime this month, I want you—yes, you! Our wonderful reader(s)!—to really reflect on your sleep habits this month. Sit down, pop the journal out, and write about how much sleep you’re getting. Consider the quality of rest, how you generally feel emotionally and physically after sleeping, and the environment you’re resting in (i.e. light, temperature, noise, etc). More often than not, when people reflect...

Have you ever wondered why it feels so great to have a little weight on your eyelids? If you have used an eye pillow, you know the feeling! It turns out that the weight of an eye pillow has many benefits that go beyond just blocking out light when you’re trying to catch a few zzz’s.  These luxurious little pillows help with getting better sleep, ease anxiety and stress, and can even alleviate some health issues. Beyond these benefits, studies have shown that eye pillows affect certain nerves and your brain in positive ways.  1. The Vagus Nerve The Vagus...

Are you an early riser? A snooze button specialist? A midday napper? An early bedtime expert? These sleep behaviors are not just personal preferences but are actually preconditioned circadian patterns. Your sleeping patterns are classified with “chronotypes”, which define individual levels of activity, alertness, and rest rhythms throughout the day (Casper). Your chronotype is measured through your body’s biological clock and falls into one of four categories: The Bear, Wolf, Lion, or Dolphin. Understanding your personal chronotype can help you identify and accept your body’s natural rhythm and schedule, rather than forcing sleep patterns that just don’t work for you....