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Comment by telchior | Hacker News Reader

But wearing an eye mask is nigh impossible for restless sleepers; it slips off constantly. My best solution after trying many masks is an old t-shirt draped across my eyes, which inevitably slips off but at least doesn't drag elastic bands over my face.

Anyone know of research showing the effectiveness of varying levels of darkness in a room, from complete blackout to fairly dim?

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First line of the abstract: Ambient light can influence sleep structure and timing.

So of course the eye mask isn't necessary at all, reducing the ambient light is the key. Mask is one option, but black out curtains (in most areas) and eliminated or shielding any light emitting devices in the room is key.

It's incredible how bright a room can be with the lights off in the dead of night.

I use small strips of electrical tape to block led lights from small appliances I keep in my bedroom. I wish more companies were thoughtful in reducing the amount of light their electronics emit in a default state.

As a restless sleeper, I use a headband-like bluetooth headset for ambient sound to help me sleep.

I can imagine a slightly larger one that extends over the eyes - if I can find one, I will buy it.

https://mantasleep.com/products/manta-sleep-mask-sound

No experience with it but sounds like the kind of thing you're after.

I can confirm this thing is amazing

the pro one, not the one you linked (headphone inserts seem like needless ear pressure): https://mantasleep.com/products/manta-sleep-mask-pro

i toss and turn all night and this thing stays on most of the time, is incredibly comfortable, and i am so grateful i received it as a gift (would never have bought for self)

Thanks for posting this. I've been looking for a mask with eye cups but couldn't find anything decent on Amazon.

Have you tried the Silk one? I'm tempted to get that one instead of the Pro since the materials sound nicer, but the site is really unclear about the differences...

Hmm… I just bought one but I notice their page has a quote of customer praise saying they can no longer sleep without one. That seems a little bit troubling

Earplugs and sleep masks are habit forming, but speaking as a light sleeper, it's better than the alternative. It's easy enough to always have one on hand, and makes a big difference in my restfulness.

As a side sleeper I had the opposite experience unfortunately, so YMMV. The Manta Pro is touted for side sleepers, but I've used both the pro and original and they both suffer from the same problem: it still slips around and the walls of the eye cups press into my eyes as I sleep. I gave it a few weeks of waking up with soreness and misaligned vision. No amount of fiddling with eye cup positions or strap tightness helped. The thickness of the strap is a fundamental design problem with the Manta approach, even with the expensive tech fabrics on the pro. It's overbuilt.

After trying about 10 other sleep masks, I ended up with the Alaska Bear Silk Two Strap [1] which has straps so thin they're imperceptible, and a much more effective retention mechanism, for a fraction of the price.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/ALASKA-Natural-Blindfold-Super-Smooth...

Yep, this is the one I settled on after trying a few out!

I have used (and loved) the Alaska Bear Silk mask for years, but it does come off occasionally. I’m absolutely going to try the double strap one now, thanks for sharing!

These look quite thick thus they seem like they’d be hot for those of us who are hot blooded.

Got one and it’s pretty much the bees knees. A nice evolution over their earlier generation, which I also own. It even seals about 99% of light over a full task CPAP Darth Vader setup

I hope you don't mind me saying: Between that mask and a CPAP machine, your sleep setup sounds delightfully cyberpunk.

From personal experience, adding a mouthguard brings this entire look up to "dead sexy" status.

I've been using a Manta Sleep mask (no speakers) for the last year and half, and love it. Unlike the cheap eye mask, it doesn't have an elastic strap that eventually gets out of shape. And it blocks 100% of light for me.

As a side sleeper, I can't use masks with speakers or even long ear plugs, as they put enough pressure on my ear cartilage that they make sleep uncomfortable.

I just put an earbud in the ear facing the ceiling. If I’m awake when I flip, I move the earbud. If I’m asleep, it falls out and I’m none the wiser.

I have one and find it to be very uncomfortable.

If people want to try it without spending so much, Ebay has much cheaper ones:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/194063513469

If you do find it useful then it's worth spending the money to get the best available, but I use the cheap one and it's great.

I've used https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FSFBSXY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b...

It's pretty much exactly what you're describing. My only complaint is that the velcro wears off after time and it stops sticking.

The masks that are cloth all the way around and have velco work for restless sleepers and side sleepers, or at least that has been my experience. I was on a medication ages ago that made me restless. Look online for the masks that are 100% cotton cloth and have a thin padding inside. Avoid the masks with the eye-shaped face and avoid the masks with the stretch band as they do exactly as you describe.

Have you tried the Manta sleep mask? Expensive but never slips, does the black out thing, and is super comfortable and very breathable in hot weather. Improved my sleep significantly.

You need to spend a bit of money on a comfortable and large mask. I have used this one in the past (Amazon link but it seems to be "unavailable" now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07TL7VYSM).

Clicking this link changed my Amazon app location to UK and I can’t figure out how to change it back! Thx for the recc though.

I’m not sure it would work for your scenario, but I use a Buff [1], which is a soft fabric tube designed for wearing as a kind of face mask for outdoors activities. They’re really soft and comfortable as an eye mask and don’t get too hot or slip off. I fold it over 2 or 3 times to make it darker. Couldn’t sleep without it!

[1] buff.com

Great idea! I'm going to try this.

I've been covering my eyes almost my whole life, and I agree with you that a t-shirt is far more effective than almost any sleep mask I've found. And yes, I've tried the fancy ones.

A shirt drapes comfortably, it fits you easily and snugly without pulling too tight, it's also always available

I have likewise found that a T-shirt around the head tying the arms is an order of magnitude better than a mask and really helps me with the last couple hours of sleep when things are getting lighter.

I had the same problem with masks. I eventually bought a pair of swimming goggles and covered it with tape to block out light. It rarely slips off and is reasonably comfortable.

U just need to sleep in a dark room. Light blocking blinds will do

For many people, light prevents melatonin production. Maybe not for everyone, also know an old friend in school who can sleep through bright sun right in the face.

I've had the same problem, but found a solution: a standard eye mask that would slip off on its own, held in place by one of those 'Buff' tube scarves.

I really liked my Cabeau mask, but eventually slipped into using tshirt too - always around, covers more and straps don't strangle your head.

I was a restless sleeper until I've learnt to sleep on my back. Try it for a week, it really is a superior position to sleep in.

Maybe try sleeping in a thin loose black hoodie and pull the drawstrings until your eyes are covered. Works for me.

Just put the hoodie on backwards.. and during the day the hood can act as a feed bucket.

Try using a black fleece neckwarmer as an eye mask.

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