Can you believe it’s already Daylight Saving Time? The clocks fell back, it’ll be dark by dinner, and my body clock is legitimately about to be VERY confused, lol. This time of year is always tricky. After all, I hate getting home from work, and it already feels like Taylor Swift is humming in my ear, “Midnight,” as if the clock has struck 12 and my glass slipper is about to fall off.
To combat this time of year, I’m committed to continuing to invest in the best items to find rest and relax. Calm down my nervous system at nighttime and slowly get ready to sleep, you know? There is nothing I value more than sleep, and so researching and finding the very best products to do so will always be a top priority.
Thankfully, this past year, we’ve found phenomenal products that have been game changers. Think things that don’t cost a fortune, but invaluable in helping to smooth the transition as clocks fall back for daylight saving time.
How to Sleep Better
Every November, everyone celebrates the extra hour of the day. But then? Reality sets in. The sun sets about an hour earlier overnight and it’s pitch black on the drive home. It’s truly a tough transition. Why on earth does my body feel ready for bed at 6 PM? Sheesh! 🙂
After a lifetime of Midwest winters, Bob and I have become serious about sleep. No, we don’t have Oura rings or try to track-every-minute of our rest. We’ve simply been committed to building a more intentional, thoughtful sleep routine and experience to wind down.
For anyone whose mind races at night thinking of the next day’s laundry list of to-dos, these products are my go-to recommendations again and again.
Wake Up with the Light: Hatch Restore 3
To sleep better when daylight saving time happens, I highly recommend keeping a consistent sleep schedule and especially wake-up time. One of the best solutions? Gentle light that helps wake you up when mornings are dark. The Hatch Restore 3 has been a game changer. I’m also a huge proponent of making your bedroom dark, cool and quiet at night.
If you only buy one thing from this post, make it this product. Trust! The Hatch Restore 3 has completely transformed my sleep pattern. We love it so much that we have one at our home and one at the lake house, so my routine never misses a beat.
Bob and I personally love the Blue Light Morning sound and the light is Circadian Sunrise. I dare you to find a better sound and light combination – it’s a classic duo like peanut butter and jelly. Or peanut butter and chocolate. Well, or chips and guacamole. You get the picture, haha! 🙂
Best of all, instead of a jarring alarm in a pitch-black room, the Restore 3 slowly brightens like a sunrise over 30 minutes before your sound alarm goes off, so you wake up gradually. Love! At night, a sunset routine dims the light over 30 to 60 minutes, which is exactly the cue I need.
A Small Fan with a Big Job: Vornado 133
This little fan is small but mighty, and one of our absolute favorites. So much so, that we purchased a Vornado 133 in literally every single bedroom we have in our home for guests and ourselves. We even brought one to our Nantucket rental this summer and left it there for next year, which tells you everything.
It moves air across the whole room, keeps things cool and fresh, and the gentle hum is the best white noise I’ve found. It’s whisper quiet, compact enough for a nightstand or dresser, and below $50. If you’ve been sleeping hot or waking up to every creak in the house, start here.
Block Out the Light: A Silk Sleep Mask
I swear by a sleep mask. Between early sunrises in the summer and streetlights and screens in the winter, it’s the simplest way to get a truly dark room anywhere, including hotels and planes.
My favorite is the Slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask ($72). It’s a super soft mulberry silk, feels weightless and won’t tug at your skin or pull your night cream off your face. If you want total blackout, the Manta Sleep Mask ($39) has adjustable cups that sit away from your eyes and lashes.
Bedding that Feels Like a Hotel
Comfortable bedding is key, and it’s where I’d spend if you want your bedroom to feel like a five-star hotel.
- Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheet Set: Soft, breathable, 100% long-staple cotton that gets softer with every wash.
- Look Linen Co: Made from long-staple cotton and monogrammed in-house in Houston, this is how we elevated our bedding. I shared the whole story in my Look Linen Co review. My picks from the Scalloped Collection: the Euro Sham ($95), Small Lumbar Pillow ($185), Duvet Cover ($255 to $325), Pillow Cases ($85 to $95, set of 2) and Flat Sheet ($125 to $185).
- Slip Silk Pillowcase: The pillowcase I use most. Pure 22 momme mulberry silk means less friction, so fewer creases on your face and less frizz in the morning. $147 at Sephora.
If your mattress is the real issue, I also wrote about our experience in Does the Leesa Mattress Provide a Better Sleep? Spoiler alert: it does!
A Bedtime Ritual: Linen Spray
Scent is one of the easiest ways to tell your brain it’s time for bed. I’m very sensitive to fragrance, so I keep it light: just a few spritzes on my pillow, and I’m ready to drift off.
My favorite? This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray ($33), a blend of lavender, chamomile and vetiver. It’s an Amazon’s Choice pick with more than 22,000 ratings, and thousands of shoppers buy it every month, so I’m clearly not the only one hooked.
A Cozy Layer: Chappywrap Blanket
When it’s dark by dinner, I want to be wrapped up on the sofa with a book. The Chappywrap Great Lakes Map Blanket ($160) is a bestseller and a little love letter to our lake life, in Chappywrap’s soft, heirloom-quality cotton blend.
We have them in our living room, family room, bedrooms, and beyond. SO many cute colors, patterns, and more. Worth every penny! I’ve been a fan for years, ever since the ChappyWrap Lemon Stripes collection.
Pajamas You Actually Want to Wear
Great pajamas make going to bed feel like a treat, not a chore. Here are my current go-to options:
- Mark & Graham x Jennifer Lake Ruffle Pajamas: From my collection with Mark & Graham, in pale pink with red piping and ruffled cuffs. They’re on sale for $59.99 (originally $119), and you can add a monogram for $17. It’s the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one!
- Printfresh Bagheera Eco Satin Rittenhouse Set in Ink: My other current favorite, with Printfresh’s leopard print and vintage jungle cats on eco satin, deep pockets and wide-leg pants. $228. I shared my love for the brand in my Printfresh review. Trust me, these pajamas are SO good, soft, and super stylish!
Want more cozy layers? Read the story behind my Cuddl Duds pajamas.
More Ways to Sleep Better When it Gets Dark Early
- Keep your wake-up time steady, even on weekends. It’s the fastest way to reset after the time change.
- Get morning light as soon as you can, whether that’s your Hatch, opening the shades or a short walk.
- Dim the lights at night and keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet.
- Lose the phone, or at least move it across the room. A sunrise alarm makes that easy.
Sweet Dreams, Friends
Wishing you truly restful sleep, cozy nights and brighter mornings, friends. What’s the one thing that helps you sleep when it gets dark early? Tell me in the comments! I’d love your suggestions.
As always, be sure to subscribe to the Style Charade newsletter for more of my favorite finds.