Having trouble falling asleep? You’re not the only one. In the U.S., around 30 to 35 percent of adults experience insomnia at least once in their lives. Although the condition is usually treatable with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and sleeping pills, it won’t hurt to try alternative treatments — like these mobile apps.
Sleep Cycle
For only $1, Sleep Cycle can track your sleep habits from the safety of your nightstand. The app records and analyzes detailed data such as whether you’re a light or heavy sleeper, what conditions affect your night’s rest, and your overall quality of sleep. Sleep Cycle also has an alarm clock to help you start your day right. It’s compatible with iOS devices.
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Pzizz
Pzizz claims to “solve sleep problems, boost energy and reduce stress”. While those claims may be a bit exaggerated, this app excels in mixing sleep-inducing playlists. This ensures that you never hear the same track twice. Pzizz is available for free at the iTunes store, and requires iOS 7.1 or later.
Long Deep Breathing
The aptly-named Long Deep Breathing app guides you through pranayam-breathing exercises. These calm your mind, stabilize your emotions, and create harmony between your mind, body and spirit. Using the app’s advanced feature, you can manually set the intervals between inhaling and exhaling. Long Deep Breathing can be purchased at the iTunes store for $0.99.
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Deep Sleep with Andrew Johnson
If you can’t personally visit acclaimed hypnotherapist Andrew Johnson, let him come to you through the Deep Sleep app. Here, Johnson’s soothing voice guides you towards the most peaceful place in your mind, and helps you fall asleep quickly. You can download the app for your iPhone or Android for $2.99.
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Yoga for Insomnia
Many sleep experts, including DrSnooze, say that Yoga can help you relax and get a better, more productive night of sleep. True to its name, Yoga for Insomnia displays a series of yoga poses designed to improve your quality of sleep. The app uses both stress-relieving meditation techniques and consistent exercises to help you get that much-needed shut-eye. Yoga for Insomnia can be downloaded on your iPhone or Android for $4.99, which might be a steep price for someone who isn’t a yoga junkie.
Relax Melodies
Most sleep-inducing music apps play only a specific type of sound. Relax Melodies, on the other hand, lets you create playlists based on a myriad of gentle, relaxing sounds. You can overlap sounds on top of one another, and file them under a “Favorites” section for later use. The app is free for both iPhone and Android users.
Insomnia Cure
For an app that costs $2.99 at the iTunes store, Insomnia Cure sure packs a punch. This brainchild of renowned hypnotherapist Max Kirsten contains a whopping 40 pages worth of information on sleep. It also has approximately 3 hours of audio content, 3 main audio sessions, 3 deep relaxation sleep sessions, and sleep fact cards.
These apps offer a unique way to help you beat your insomnia. Try all of them, and see which one works best for you. Meanwhile, as any TV ad disclaimer will tell you, don’t forget to consult your doctor if symptoms persist!
