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Sleep Mask Reviews: Eye Masks for a Peaceful Night's Sleep

If you ever have trouble relaxing at night, you may benefit from wearing a sleep mask. Good quality eye masks create a sensory-deprived state ideal for practicing Wake Induced Lucid Dreams or deep meditation. In the following sleep mask reviews, we'll look at the best eye masks and silicone ear plugs for immersing yourself in a peaceful inner world when you most need to relax.

How Can a Sleep Mask Help?

Your sleep cycle begins with the onset of darkness. You have photosensitive receptor cells in your eyes which signal to your brain when light levels are low. Your brain reacts by converting serotonin (the chemical of wakefulness) into melatonin (the chemical of sleep and restoration).

Eye masks work by simulating this state of darkness - even during the daytime - thereby triggering your brain to start producing melatonin. This is vital when you're in a situation that opposes your own natural sleep cycles, such as working night shifts or traveling through different time zones.

Sleep masks also help if you live in a place where there is lots of natural light, particularly during summertime when the days are longer. Napping on the weekend, in a hammock or at the beach, can be much easier with a sleep mask. The result is you feel relaxed and refreshed any time you need to.

I use eye masks when I want to meditate and do some visualizations in preparation for lucid dreaming. It stops any light from shining through my closed eyelids and immediately creates a dark, calming environment. I highly recommend it for practicing WILDs in the morning (the best time) or during daytime naps.

So, which mask is right for you? Here are my top two picks:

Escape Travel Sleep Mask

My first recommendation is the Escape Travel Sleep Mask by Dream Essentials.

Is it Comfortable? The Escape eye mask is supremely comfortable. I don't like masks that push against my face too much, so this one is perfect. I loosened the velcro strap quite a lot and the cushions still molded around my eyes to block out 100% of the light.

This mask has two eye chambers with soft padding so the material doesn't touch your eyes - it just makes the mask even more comfortable. In all, it is extremely comfortable and helps me relax quickly for meditation or sleeping by creating a cozy, darkened environment.

Good for Travel? Contoured and sleek, these luxury eye masks have a soft and furry outer fleece and can easily fold away into your hand luggage. This travel mask is infinitely better than the sleep mask you get handed on any night flight (I'm thinking of those horrible scratchy bits of material you get in Economy Class). I've been on more long haul flights now than I want to remember and definitely recommend taking your own travel mask like this one.

Any bonuses? Yep - with the Escape Travel Mask you get a carry pouch and a complimentary pair of soft, low-pressure foam ear plugs.

My rating: (5/5 stars)

Click here to visit Dream Essentials and order this mask for only $19.95.

Sweet Dreams Contour Sleep Mask

My next recommendation is the Sweet Dreams Contour Sleep Mask, also available at the Dream Essentials website.

Why a Contour Mask? This contour eye mask is designed specifically as a light-weight travel mask. It looks like it's made out of neoprene (the high tech material used on wetsuits and contour bras). As a result, the Sweet Dreams travel mask holds the same flexible shape no matter how much you screw it up. It survived my recent 36-hour jaunt from New Zealand the the UK and still looks like new.

Is it Comfortable? Yes. With smooth padding around the eyes, these high tech eye masks are made from one single piece of material, so there are no potentially scratchy edges. It needs to be worn a little tighter than the Escape sleep mask in order to block out all the light just under the nose (which is also covered by the mask for an unusual but otherwise comfortable feature). There is plenty of room in the eye chambers and no pressure whatsoever on your eyes. Being light-weight, it is also very comfortable if you want to sleep on your side. In all, this travel mask is great value and very convenient for any sleeping position.

Any bonuses? You bet - with the Sweet Dreams Contour Sleep Mask you get a drawstring carry pouch and a free pair of soft, low-pressure foam ear plugs.

My rating: (4/5 stars)

Click here to visit Dream Essentials and order this mask for only $7.95.

Mack's Silicone Ear Plugs

If you're browsing eye masks for travel, sleep, meditation or lucid dreaming, I also recommend silicone ear plugs to complete your inner sanctuary.

Silicone ear plugs are often superior to foam ear plugs as they mold more comfortably to the contours of your ear. They are very handy for blocking out snoring partners, swimming, studying, traveling, power tools and loud music events. I recommend Mack's silicone ear plugs because they:

• Mold to fit any ear
• Offer ultimate hearing protection
• Reduce noise by 22 decibels
• Are doctor recommended

Together with a quality sleep mask, silicone ear plugs are ideal for practicing Wake Induced Lucid Dreams to block out external distractions and create a soundless inner world. This enables you to focus on hypnagogic imagery and emerging dream scenes. They can also stop you from waking up at outside noises while dreaming, making your lucid dreams last longer.

My rating: (5/5 stars)

Click here to visit Dream Essentials and order now for only $4.95.