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Staying Healthy
Gadgets to help you sleep better: Do they work?
- By Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
These pill-free options may promote a better night’s rest.
For many people, the nightly trip to dreamland is a difficult journey. Up to a third of all adults — including 30% to 48% of older people — have a hard time falling or staying asleep at some point, with about 10% developing chronic insomnia. So it’s not surprising that a wide array of gadgets claim to help you get more Z’s. Do they really help?
To find out, we turned to Dr. Lawrence Epstein, a sleep specialist with Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital and medical editor of the Harvard Special Health Report Improving Sleep (/is). Here are his takes on devices that promote sleep.
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About the Author

Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
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As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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