Sleep during a storm: tips, techniques and products to reduce noise and ease anxiety

Storm noise, light and air-pressure shifts can disrupt sleep and increase anxiety; the article reports reviewers and experts recommending noise-reducing headphones, blackout coverings, acupressure masks, heated/cooling eye devices and relaxation techniques.

Bad weather can make sleeping harder by increasing noise, light and anxiety. Sudden weather changes are reported to heighten symptoms for some people with mental health conditions, and falling barometric pressure before a storm can trigger headaches. Reviewers and experts discuss products and techniques that aim to reduce those disruptions and help people rest during storms. Key points: - Noise, including wind and thunder, is a common sleep disruptor during storms, and the article reports that about 38% of Americans do not sleep in silence. - The article mentions noise-reducing sleep headphones such as the Soundcore Sleep A30 and Bose QuietComfort models, and also refers to combined sleep-mask/headphone options like Musicozy. - Changes in air pressure before and during storms can expand tissues and trigger headaches, a mechanism described by Dr. Emad Estemalik of Cleveland Clinic. - The article notes sleep products that address head discomfort and relaxation, including the Bob and Brad Eye Massager and the SOMO sleep mask that applies acupressure to the Yin Tang point. - Light from lightning can disturb sleep for some people; the piece cites blackout curtains, blackout sleep masks, and the Aura sleep mask with audio as ways reviewers recommend reducing light. - A 2020 review of 17 studies is reported to show that about 19.8% of people who experienced an extreme weather event in the past year had symptoms of anxiety, and a Ball State University study is cited saying roughly one in 10 Americans may have a phobia of severe weather. Summary: Storm-related noise, light and pressure changes are described as factors that can disturb sleep and raise anxiety for some individuals. The article reports a range of products and relaxation techniques that reviewers and experts mention as ways to reduce those disruptions; Undetermined at this time.