Calming apps and gadgets for a better night's sleep

Sleep is as essential to us as food, air and water; yet to many people, it is elusive.

To assist those of us with a less than adequate body clock, the Good Housekeeping Institute has trialled various products and apps that claim to help us nod off.

1. Toasty tech

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Feel snug as a bug with the Lakeland Luxury Fleece Fitted Electric Blanket (£52.99; lakeland.co.uk). Just remember not to use electric blankets with memory-foam mattresses, toppers or pillows – or risk melting them.

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2. In it tog-ether

If you and your partner have a diverse tolerance of cold, why not try a split duvet, where each side has a different tog rating. The Duvet Talk White Goose Down Partner Duvet (from £104.95; duvettalk.co.uk) could be just the answer.

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3. Clever gadget alert

For those that favour a soft song to aid slumber, the Sound Asleep Pillow (£19.99; firebox.com) encompasses a speaker to easily connect your mobile or iPad.

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RELATED: LUMIE BODYCLOCK RANGE

4. Up and at them

The Lumie Bodyclock Starter 30 (£59.95; lumie.com) has a built-in lamp that is set to gradually light up 30 minutes before the alarm, for a completely gentle wake-up.

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5. Time for a new mattress?

It is definitely worth buying the best mattress you can afford. Since we spend a third of our lives in bed, mattresses usually need replacing every 10 years. We recommend trying out several in store, using the hardness test – slide your hand into the small of your back: if it gets stuck, the bed is too soft and if there is a gap, it’s too hard.

6. Don’t waste your money

Unfortunately, none of our testers found lavender pillows useful in encouraging sleep. But if you are simply looking for a wonderful scent, opt for the Celia Lindsell French Linen Pillow (£25.95; celialindsell.com), which incorporates dried lavender from Provence.