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10 Excellent Products To Help Reset Your Circadian Rhythm

Between work schedules and jet lag, there are a number of things that can throw off your body’s natural light-dark cycle. “Your circadian rhythm is a natural, biologic cycle that sets when your brain wants to be awake and when it wants to be asleep,” explains board-certified sleep specialist and neurologist Anthony Izzo. And while it’s genetically derived, he adds, it can be modified by environmental factors. That’s good and bad news: While your early mornings may be non-negotiable even if the sun is nowhere to be seen, there are habits and products that can help support a healthy circadian rhythm regardless.

“Anything in our environment or behavior that resets our circadian clock for sleep is known as a ‘zeitgeber’—German for timer,” says clinical sleep researcher Dr. Robert Oxeman. Light and dark are the biggest influencers, he says, but there are others—and they might surprise you. Ahead, we’re sharing the best products to reset your circadian rhythm, including tools and tech designed to help you manage light and break a sweat, all in the name of better sleep.


Best Products To Reset Your Circadian Rhythm: Tech

A Bedside Sleep Guide And Sunrise Alarm

Hatch Restore 2

This sunrise alarm is designed to support a natural circadian rhythm by mimicking early morning light. Light is a major influencer on the body’s 24-hour clock, and gradual light exposure first thing in the morning not only makes for a gentler wake-up than a sudden, loud alarm, it sets you up for better nights, too. The customizable Hatch Restore 2 has all kinds of bells and whistles, including three speakers, a library with 21 sleep tracks and a nighttime routine function that lets you customize a sequence of relaxing bedtime activities in preparation for sleep.

While the Hatch Restore 2 works best with the app, the alarm can also be turned on and off directly on the device. That’s a handy feature for those who prefer to keep their phone out of the bedroom.


Circadian Health Glasses For Better Mornings (And Nights)

Ayo Premium Blue Light Therapy Glasses

These circadian glasses look futuristic, and their technology is similarly cutting edge. They use the power of blue light (the equivalent of 10,000 lux, which is comparable to ambient daylight) to suppress melatonin production. That’s the body’s cue to get up and at ’em, which is why many people feel energized and alert immediately after an Ayo session. Plus, they’re lightweight and comfortable to wear, so a daily 20-minute session is no hardship. And for those who wonder about the wisdom of shining blue light directly into their eyes, rest assured that Ayo glasses have been tested and certified for photobiological safety from an independent certification organization in Germany. In fact, the design is based on decades of clinical studies and research into both light therapy and chronobiology.

While the glasses can be used by themselves, the accompanying app offers illuminating insight into your circadian rhythm, such as time-based recommendations to support your bed and wake times. That might include when to cut off caffeine for the day and whether it’s a good time for a meal, exercise or some cognitive activity. It also tracks social jet lag and sleep debt and helps you adjust your circadian rhythm to an ideal wake-up goal.


A Lamp That Brings The Benefits Of Natural Light Indoors

MOST POPULAR

If getting enough natural light is a challenge—a scenario that very likely affects your wake-sleep cycle—this wellness lamp from Skyview could be a game changer. It’s designed to mimic outdoor light indoors, moving through dawn and bright daylight to dusk and darkness. But don’t confuse it for a lamp that simply changes colors. The patented design changes wavelength and intensity to affect us on a biological level and improve focus, mood and sleep, says the brand.

We also like the intuitive and shatter-proof design, which should be safe around kids and pets alike. The single knob on the base of the lamp adjusts brightness, changes colors or turns the whole thing on and off.


A Red Light Therapy Device To Promote Melatonin Production

Helight Sleep

Helight’s patented protocol is based on clinical studies and NASA research to make it easier to fall asleep and improve sleep quality. This unassuming little device emits a carefully calibrated red light (neither UV nor infrared) at a specific wavelength for 14 minutes before slowly dimming to darkness over another 14 minutes. Turn it on when you climb into bed, and the light shines through your eyelids to trigger a biological response that both relaxes you and promotes melatonin production.

The Helight has three light intensities to accommodate different sleeping environments. We also like that there’s no app or subscription. Plus, it’s highly portable, making it easy to tote along when you travel.


A Portable Infrared Sauna For Deep Relaxation

Heat Healer Infrared Sauna Blanket

Heat Healer’s infrared sauna blanket brings the deeply relaxing effects of this wellness tool to your place. Far infrared saunas elevate your core body temperature at a reduced ambient temperature for a more comfortable experience than traditional steam saunas, resulting in a super sweaty but oddly rejuvenating experience that leaves you feeling relaxed and rested. Timing your sauna session to late afternoon or evening can have a relaxing, stress-reducing effect that makes it easier to fall asleep come bedtime.

Heat Healer’s sauna blanket is made with certified non-toxic materials, including 96 jade and tourmaline stones that evenly absorb and disperse heat. It also features EMF blocking technology and meets international and FCC standards for safety and efficacy. Reviewers say it’s an excellent way to unwind before bed.


Best Products To Reset Your Circadian Rhythm: Accessories

A Stylish Pair Of Blue-Light Blocking Glasses

Felix Gray Volta Blue Light Glasses

The Forbes Vetted team called Felix Gray the most protective blue-light blocking glasses, thanks to a proprietary technology that filters 15 times more blue light than other options. The glasses are available with prescription, non-prescription or reading lenses, all of which are clear with no color distortion. Blocking blue light, especially in the evening, can help reduce eye fatigue and protect your normal sleep-wake cycle.


A Softly Weighted Eye Mask That Does More Than Just Block Light

Baloo Living Weighted Silk Sleep Stone Mask

Properly managing light is a signal to the body that it’s time to be awake or time to sleep, which is where a sleep mask shines. This silk mask from Baloo Living, our top pick of the best weighted eye masks, has an oversized design, wrap-around fit and soft Velcro closure to ensure it blocks light and stays comfortably in place. Lead-free glass beads add gentle weight for a bonus relaxation effect.


Stylish Linen With A Blackout Liner For Premium Light Blocking

European Linen Blackout Curtain

Our pick for the best linen blackout curtains, these stylish window hangings from Quince are made with European flax and a polyester blackout liner. Customers say they’re excellent quality and offer exceptional blackout coverage. Plus, they’re available in 10 colorways and three sizes to work in different spaces.


A Versatile, Portable System For Functional Movement

TRX All-in-One Suspension Training System

Movement is another zeitgeber, says Oxeman, and regular exercise can help support a healthy circadian rhythm and better sleep. But before you pay for a gym membership, consider this all-in-one system from TRX, which uses body weight for a full-body workout that challenges beginners to elite athletes. With TRX straps, all you need is a solid interior door, a strong tree branch or a hook attached to a stud, and you can complete a range of exercises targeting every body part. This versatile training system can be used for cardio, plyometrics, strength, stability and even recovery and mobility training.


An App Featuring Live And On-Demand Yoga, Meditation And Fitness Classes

YogaWorks App

Yoga, breathwork and mindfulness techniques are often recommended as part of a healthy bedtime routine because they can help calm the body and relax the mind. Whether you’re new to yoga or looking to expand your practice, the YogaWorks app offers live and on-demand yoga and meditation classes, as well as what it calls “mindful fitness classes” such as Pilates and barre. Choose from over 25 weekly live yoga classes, including vinyasa and yin, or browse the extensive library of pre-recorded classes—all of which can be filtered by level, vibe, duration, teacher, focus and style. Beginners can take advantage of the app’s free 14-day trial to check out a dedicated “Yoga for Beginners” course.


Why Trust Forbes Vetted

As longtime researchers, testers and writers about all things sleep, the Forbes Vetted team has a deep understanding of all the details that can make or break your sleep quality. For this story, we consulted an array of doctors, researchers and other experts for their take on the body’s 24-hour clock and how best to support it. Board-certified sleep specialist and neurologist Anthony Izzo and clinical sleep researcher Dr. Robert Oxeman weighed in, for starters. We also corresponded with the following experts: Joseph M. Dzierzewski, PhD, vice president of Research and Scientific Affairs at National Sleep Foundation; Dr. Robert Knight, MD, chief medical advisor at Somnee; Chitra Lal, MD, FCCP, professor of medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina and chair of the American College of Chest Physicians Sleep Medicine Network; and Dr. Jie Zhao, an expert and research scientist studying indoor environments, including circadian lighting.


How We Chose The Best Products To Reset Your Circadian Rhythm

Since light is one of the primary influences on our circadian rhythm, we prioritized products that are designed to help users manage light in their environment. We also considered movement, another key zeitgeber, and looked for preexisting recommendations from the Forbes Vetted team for equipment and apps that can help people develop a consistent fitness program. We also scoured product reviews for an idea of how each item on our list has affected real customers. Finally, article author Jessica Timmons also personally tested multiple products on this list.


How Do You Fix A Broken Circadian Rhythm?

There are few things to try. “You can strengthen your sleep-wake circadian rhythm by optimizing light exposure,” says Dzierzewski. He recommends getting bright light (preferably outdoor) in the morning when you wake up and avoiding bright light in the hours before bed. “It is also important to make your sleep space as dark as possible,” he says. “Even small amounts of light during the night can be problematic for some people.” Cultivating a regular bedtime routine can also help. “An orderly sleep hygiene plan is the best remedy for a disrupted circadian rhythm,” says Knight, which includes “maintaining a relatively consistent schedule as far as waking up and going to sleep.”

Finally, Lal offers a few other best practices: “Avoiding daytime naps, avoiding blue light exposure close to bedtime (limiting screen time before bed) and avoiding alcohol and caffeine intake late in the evening are measures that can help to reset the circadian rhythm.”

Will Pulling An All-Nighter Reset My Sleep Schedule?

None of the experts we consulted recommend an all-nighter as a fix. While it may indeed adjust your sleep schedule, Zhao says it won’t reset it in a healthy or sustainable way—and it can actually exacerbate symptoms of circadian rhythm disruption. “After staying awake all night, you’re more likely to feel exhausted the next day and your performance and emotions will be negatively impacted,” he explains. “Instead of pulling all-nighters to reset your sleep schedule, it's generally better to gradually adjust your sleep-wake cycle by making small changes to your daily light exposure times, or [changing your] bedtime and wake-up times each day.”

Should I Just Stay Awake If I Can’t Sleep?

In most cases, yes, you should. “If you can't sleep, we definitely recommend getting out of bed,” says Izzo. “There's nothing worse than laying there struggling to sleep. The key is to avoid bright light or screens, which will actually make it even more difficult to fall asleep.” In fact, Izzo usually recommends no light brighter than a floor lamp. “The lack of bright light will actually stimulate your brain to make its own melatonin and get you to sleep much faster.”


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