Latest news with #sleep
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
How to stop snoring: 15 expert-backed methods for quieter sleep
Is loud snoring ruining your sleep and maybe your relationship? You don't have to live with it. "Snoring happens when your upper airway vibrates during sleep," says Dr. Anupamjeet Sekhon, a sleep and family medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California. 'You breathe in, and that's when that vibration occurs, snoring happens.' As frustrating as frequent snoring can be, you're not alone — roughly 1 in 4 people deal with chronic snoring, and 60 percent of snorers say that snoring impacts their quality of life. If you're ready to put your snoring to bed, here are some physician-backed methods for how to stop snoring and improve your sleep quality. Table of contents 5 causes of snoring 9 natural ways to stop snoring 6 anti-snoring products for better sleep Do I need a CPAP machine? When to see a doctor about snoring How to finally stop snoring Meet our experts 5 causes of snoring Snoring is caused by some degree of restricted airflow while you sleep, during which the soft tissues in the back of your throat vibrate. That can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from small issues to certain health conditions. 1. Nasal congestion Nasal congestion, whether from allergies or illness, can wreak havoc on your airways, leading to bouts of snoring. 2. Narrow airways Sometimes, snoring is simply a result of your body's natural anatomy. Having a naturally narrow throat or a deviated septum can increase your odds of snoring due to less than optimal airflow. 3. Enlarged adenoids or tonsils If you have larger tonsils or adenoids, which are the upper part of your nasal cavity that traps germs to keep you from getting sick, you're more likely to deal with snoring. 4. Being really tired Yes, being overtired can make you more likely to snore due to your airways being in a more relaxed position. 5. Sleep apnea Sleep apnea is a condition in which you temporarily stop breathing in your sleep, usually marked by a loud snoring or choking sound. "While snoring can overlap with sleep apnea, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea and not everyone with sleep apnea snores," says Dr. Swetha Gogineni, a pulmonologist board-certified in sleep medicine at Santa Monica Pulmonary Sleep Clinic in California. "It's important to get evaluated for sleep apnea since the treatments for snoring and sleep apnea vary." 9 natural ways to stop snoring There are plenty of lifestyle changes you can explore if snoring is bringing down your bedtime. 1. Unblock your nose If you're dealing with a stuffy nose or some kind of nasal blockage, try blowing your nose and clearing your bedroom of allergens like pet hair, dander and dust. You may want to consider an air purifier to help keep allergens at bay. 2. Sleep on your side or stomach If you're a back sleeper, now's the time to change your ways. Sleeping on your side or stomach can help open your airways to reduce snoring and maybe reduce mild sleep apnea. 3. Throat and mouth exercises Sekhon recommends throat and mouth exercises to strengthen the muscles in your throat and jaw to prevent snoring. A 2015 study found that daily throat and mouth exercises are somewhat effective at reducing snoring alongside the use of nasal dilator strips. 4. Aromatherapy According to the American Lung Association, eucalyptus oil may have some respiratory and nasal decongestant benefits that could lead to an ease up of snoring. Some research has also shown that aromatherapy, particularly with lavender essential oil, can help improve sleep quality and reduce snoring. 5. Limit alcohol before bed According to a meta-analysis in the journal Otolaryngology, drinking alcohol, especially before bed, is linked to worse snoring, breathing issues as well as increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea. 6. Quit smoking "Nicotine works as a stimulant. So if you're going to take a stimulant right before bed, how are you going to go to sleep?" says Sekhon. Smoking not only increases your risk of snoring but also obstructive sleep apnea by inflaming your upper airways. It also reduces your overall quality of sleep due to nighttime nicotine withdrawals. For the health of your lungs and your sleep hygiene, consider cutting cigarettes or vapes from your daily life. 7. Manage your weight Obesity is a known risk factor for snoring and sleep apnea. While there are few studies looking specifically at the effects of weight loss on snoring, a small 2022 clinical trial of 180 obese individuals with sleep apnea found that even small reductions in weight of just 5%-10% can reduce respiratory events (and potentially the snoring associated with those events). That said, weight loss won't necessarily lead to reductions in snoring in all individuals or populations, so talk to your doctor to see whether making lifestyle changes to manage your weight (and snoring) is the right approach for you. 8. Improve your sleep hygiene "Keep all non-sleep-related activities out of bed," says Sekhon. "No eating, playing or doing other things in bed. Use the bedroom only for sleeping and for being intimate." To improve your sleep hygiene, the research says think dark, cool, quiet and stable. Make your bedroom a sleep sanctuary by limiting light, keeping the temperature between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, reducing or masking noise with a white noise machine and making sure your mattress is comfortable enough for your body and sleep style. 9. Tackle your allergies Whether your allergies are seasonal or year-round, they can disturb your sleep, often starting with excessive snoring. If allergies are a culprit in your snoring, Gogineni recommends occasionally using an over-the-counter nasal steroid spray to clear your airways (not recommended for long-term use). If your allergies are more persistent, consider talking to a doctor about more options. 6 anti-snoring products for better sleep If all else fails, there are several anti-snoring devices you can explore to keep your snoring to a minimum. While many anti-snoring products can be used without a doctor's supervision, your physician may prescribe a specific anti-snoring device to help ease your symptoms. 1. Anti-snoring mouthpiece or mouth guard "If you're still snoring, you can have a customized oral appliance made by a sleep dentist to see if this can assist with the snoring," says Gogineni. There are also general mouthpieces or anti-snoring mouth guards made to reduce snoring by repositioning your jaw for better airflow. "It's best to speak with a sleep physician to determine what interventions would be most appropriate based on other symptoms that are present.' 2. Nasal strips or a nasal dilator If you're dealing with nasal-congestion-related snoring, Sekohn recommends nasal strips to help unblock the airway. Nasal strips attach to the outside of the nose to keep your airways open, while a nasal dilator is placed on the inside of your nostrils for the same purpose. Nasal strips need to be replaced daily, while a nasal dilator is reusable. 3. Chinstrap Chinstraps can be helpful in reducing mouth breathing while you sleep, which can reduce snoring but not completely cure the condition. 4. Anti-snoring pillow Anti-snoring pillows simply adjust the position of your head to more of an incline while you sleep to improve airflow, which can significantly reduce snoring. 5. Humidifier A humidifier can reduce snoring by bringing more moisture into the air to better lubricate your airways. Sekhon recommends humidifiers for those dealing with allergy or dry-air-related nasal congestion. 6. Anti-snoring smart devices There are several types of smart devices that can help you stop snoring, including smart pillows and electrostimulation mouthpieces and chinstraps that claim to detect your snoring and intervene to stop it. Before investing in one of these devices, talk to your doctor to determine whether it's worth the money. Do I need a CPAP machine? A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine works by providing steady positive airflow to improve breathing. CPAP machines are usually recommended by doctors only for obstructive sleep apnea, which can contribute to more serious health issues like heart disease and stroke. While snoring is the main symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, just because you snore doesn't mean you have it. The only way to know is to consult your doctor. When to see a doctor about snoring According to the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, most people go to the doctor about snoring at the request of a bed partner; otherwise, many long-term snoring issues may go undetected. Some other reasons to see a doctor about potential snoring problems include difficulty staying asleep, daytime sleepiness, frequent napping and others noticing you stop breathing in your sleep. These could signal a more serious sleep disorder (like sleep apnea) rather than just your average snoring. Your doctor might want to do some imaging tests like X-rays or even a sleep study to uncover any underlying issues that could be contributing to your snoring, giving you and potentially your bedtime partner some solace ... and ultimately, much-needed rest. Surgical options for snoring If your doctor believes your snoring can be improved surgically, some options include: Septoplasty if you have a deviated septum Implant snoreplasty, which stiffens the upper palate of your mouth using implants to reduce tissue vibration in your mouth Uvulopalatoplasty to make your airways wider How to finally stop snoring Snoring doesn't have to be a permanent lifestyle adaptation. If your snoring bothers you or your bed partner, you have several options. These tips and tricks, ranging from changing your sleep position or trying aromatherapy to more interventional procedures like undergoing a sleep study, can give you peace of mind and better sleep overall. If you suspect sleep apnea, talk to your doctor — leaving it untreated can be dangerous to your health. Good luck and sweet dreams. Meet our experts Anupamjeet Sekhon, MD, sleep and family medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California Swetha Gogineni, MD, pulmonologist at Santa Monica Pulmonary Sleep Clinic Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
How to get the best sleep on a plane — yes, even in economy
Flying can be fun. Not so fun? Feeling exhausted upon reaching your destination because you weren't able to get any shut-eye on the plane. Or perhaps worse: starting your trip super groggy because you took medication in order to sneak in a nap — and it hasn't worn off halfway through your first sightseeing tour. While the lucky few among us may have no trouble sleeping on a plane, the rest of us who struggle could use some tips. Yahoo spoke to sleep experts who weighed in on the do's and don'ts so you can start your next trip off right. ✅ DO: Get a good neck pillow Allison Bragan, a neurobiologist and sleep expert who works for the U.S. Army and has done 84 trips around the world over the last three years, said that getting the right neck pillow for the plane is crucial. 'If you go to the Hudson News store in the airport and you just buy the cheapest pillow, you're going to be disappointed,' Bragan explained. 'You need a memory foam pillow that conforms around your neck — one that's going to keep your neck in a neutral position.' Dr. Peter George Polos, a pulmonologist and sleep expert at Hackensack Meridian Medical Group, said that he is comfortable using the flaps on the back of seats on many airplanes to steady his head. If that's not enough for you, a sturdy neck pillow can keep your head in the right position. But how you use those pillows is key. 'A lot of people put them on backwards,' he said. 'They're really supposed to be to prevent your head from falling forward.' If you're using a U-shaped neck pillow, put the base of the U underneath your chin, so that the opening is at the back of your neck — as demonstrated by this viral 2021 TikTok video. ✅ DO: Pick the best seat If you want to maximize your time asleep, consider going for a place on the plane where you'll be disrupted the least. Travel experts say that the last few rows on an airplane offer the roughest ride. (Not to mention those tend to be where the bathrooms are, which means you're more likely to be interrupted by waiting passengers.) As for turbulence, travel blogger Sean Lau said he goes for the seat above the wings. 'I recently learned that this spot is usually the smoothest due to its proximity to the plane's center of gravity,' Lau told HuffPost. As for reclining your seat to get your head in the best position, Polos said the few inches you get in economy class probably won't make that much of a difference, so do what feels best for you. (And, of course, be polite to your neighbors!) Lastly, if you're seeking shut-eye, consider a window seat: you won't have to deal with anyone climbing over you to go to the bathroom, and you get the added benefit of resting your head against the window. ✅ DO: Block out the light and noise Overnight flights tend to shut off the cabin lights, but even so, there's always the possibility that your neighbor is playing a bright game on their iPad. Consider an eye mask to block out the light — and if yours is a weighted eye mask, even better, Andrea Davis, a Delta flight attendant based in Atlanta told Southern Living. 'The weighted beads inside the eye mask can help you fall asleep quicker, especially when adjusting to different time zones while traveling,' she explained. And even a plane without a crying baby can be loud, thanks to the sound of the engine and people shuffling around. Flight attendants like Davis use earplugs to reduce the noise, but you can also go for noise-canceling headphones. Playing white noise can help you drift off to sleep without sound disruptions. ✅ DO: Wear layers One of the things that can prepare you for better sleep on a plane is ensuring you're as comfortable as possible. 'One should be able to layer up or down if they feel hot or cold, because you can't control the temperature of the airplane,' Polos said. That could mean bringing a hoodie layered over a long-sleeved shirt with a lighter tee underneath. You can also bring along your own blanket, as the ones handed out by airlines (at least in economy!) tend to provide little warmth — especially if your seat partner likes the overhead AC on full blast. ✅ DO: Consider compression attire 'If I do any flight that's over four hours, I wear compression pants,' Bragan explained. 'It really does help the blood flow and circulation.' Compression gear squeezes our veins, moving blood flow upwards, towards our heart. Otherwise, blood will pool in our limbs during long periods of sitting, which can lead to discomfort. Just a word of caution: compression clothing may make you feel too hot on a particularly warm flight, as it traps heat in. Do what's most comfortable for you! ✅ DO: Be smart about prescribed medication While it may seem like a great idea to pop a pill in order to sleep on a plane, Bragan told Yahoo it's important to use caution. 'Oftentimes physicians will prescribe Ambien or Lunesta, which is absolutely terrible,' she said, noting that the army has stopped giving those medications on long-haul flights to soldiers. 'The reason is because the half-life of that drug is about eight to 12 hours, depending on your metabolism. It is just hanging around in your system, and you're operating at levels that are close to being legally intoxicated for 24 hours.' If you do want to take medication to doze off, Bragan recommended asking your doctor about Sonata (generic name Zaleplon), which is out of your system quicker. ❌ DON'T: Take too much melatonin Some people take melatonin, an over-the-counter supplement that helps promote sleep, before a flight. Bragan said this is a good option, but many people take 'too high of a dose' before their flight, which can leave you feeling groggy. Polos said that melatonin 'can help promote sleep onset' — and it's best at low doses. If you have not taken melatonin before, the Cleveland Clinic recommends taking 1 mg to start and seeing how effective it is for you. With that, you 'don't have to really worry about any confusion or balance issues,' he explained. ❌ DON'T: Drink alcohol or caffeine One thing you should definitely skip is alcohol, Polos said. While a glass of wine may make you feel sleepy in the moment, alcohol dehydrates you — which can leave you feeling groggy and make it harder to stay asleep or feel rested when you land. If you're trying to doze off, you should also skip the caffeine. Not only will it leave you feeling wired, it's also a diuretic, which means if you do fall asleep, you may find that rest disrupted by an unwanted trip to the bathroom. ❌ DON'T: Eat that heavy meal On a long-haul flight and getting in-flight meal service? If you're looking to doze off, skip a heavy meal, Polos said, as it could disrupt your GI system and therefore your sleep. (That also means avoiding that pre-boarding burger and fries from the restaurant!) You'll also want to pass on anything super spicy or acidic, especially if you have issues with acid reflux. Of course, it's not a good idea to be super hungry on a plane, either. To avoid a rumbling stomach, consider some of these dietitian-approved plane snacks that you can bring on your flight and therefore don't need to rely on whatever the flight attendants come around with. Solve the daily Crossword

News.com.au
2 hours ago
- Health
- News.com.au
So, you've had a bad night's sleep. Now what?
So, you've woken up tired after a bad night's sleep. While your gut might say 'coffee – now,' you might be wondering what's really the best way to push through the day. And what do the experts recommend you do so one bad night doesn't spiral into a week of sleep deprivation? Ditch the snooze button As tempting as it is, hitting snooze after a restless night can make things worse. Each doze-and-wake cycle fragments your sleep even further, leaving you more sluggish as the morning drags on. 'Snoozing can actually make you feel groggier,' says sleep expert Rachel Beard, Sleep Wellness Manager at A.H. Beard. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate Sleep deprivation makes dehydration more likely, which can worsen mental fog and tiredness. To prevent this, start your day with a large glass of water. Bonus points for adding electrolytes, or try bone broth if you fancy a switch. 'Just two per cent dehydration drops your cognitive performance by 10-20 per cent, affecting attention, memory, and mental processing speed,' explains nutritionist Veronika Larisova, co-founder of Chief Bar. Prioritise sunlight Natural light is your body's cue to reset. So try getting outside for 10–15 minutes as soon as you can after waking, ideally within the first hour. This suppresses melatonin, your sleep hormone, and boosts serotonin, lifting both your mood and alertness. 'Sunlight helps regulate your circadian rhythm so you sleep better the following night,' adds Ms Beard. Now it's time for coffee Yes, you can have your caffeine fix, just not immediately. Wait 90 minutes after waking so your natural cortisol levels (the wake-up hormone) can do their job first. Drinking coffee after breakfast may also curb the jitters, and limiting caffeine after 3pm will ensure it doesn't mess with your next bedtime. If you're desperate for a third cup, try stretching, a brisk walk, or a power nap first. Boring, we know, but it works. Move, but don't overdo it Gentle movement, such as a walk around the block or relaxing yoga, can counteract sleepiness by lifting your energy and mood. Not that you'd have the energy to, but resist any urge to smash out a high-intensity workout, 'which can add extra stress when you're already low on rest,' Ms Beard warns. Take a cold shower You might have heard that cold showers can help wake you up. But if you're hesitant to commit to a full icy wash, a few seconds under cold water at the end of your usual shower can do the trick, and jolt your brain into a state of alertness. Be mindful of your diet When it comes to breakfast, you'll probably want to reach for something sweet. However, it's probably best to focus on steadier sources of energy. Ms Larisova suggests a meal with eggs or other high-protein foods instead of reaching for a sugar hit, which can lead to crashes later on. 'Protein helps dopamine production, prevents sugar crashes and cravings, and keeps you full,' she says. For snacks, opt for meat bars or biltong rather than sugary treats, and try to avoid energy drinks if possible. Recent studies even show that creatine in the morning can help your brain function when you're sleep-deprived, so she recommends trying five grams of the supplement. Nap time A 20-minute nap before 2pm can be a game-changer. But longer or later naps risk derailing your sleep that night, so set an alarm and keep it short, Ms Beard advises. Resist any urge to 'catch up' on sleep by heading to bed drastically early, because this risks disrupting your body clock even more. Instead, use your regular wind-down routine: dim lights, switch off screens, and try something calming like reading or meditation before bed, and try to stick to your normal bedtime. If you're not sleepy, avoid lying in bed scrolling, as blue light from your phone will make it even harder to drift off.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
These 3 exercises may help with insomnia, new study finds
Tossing and turning every night? Doing more physical activities throughout the week is a known way to improve sleep, but new research shows you don't have to run a marathon or visit a gym to reap those benefits. Low-intensity, low-impact exercise can improve sleep and ease the symptoms of insomnia, according to a new meta-analysis of 22 randomized clinical trials published Tuesday in the journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. The trials involved 13 non-pharmaceutical insomnia treatments, including seven fitness regimens, acupuncture, massage and cognitive behavioral therapy. Among the exercises studied, yoga, tai chi, and walking or jogging showed the most promising evidence of helping participants fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, with less awakenings. 'Growing evidence suggests that regular physical activity not only improves physical health, but also enhances sleep quality,' said Zhi-jun Bu, the study's first author and a doctoral student in clinical medicine at the Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, in an email. 'However, most existing studies focus on just one type of exercise, lacking comprehensive comparisons.' The research points to potential cost-effective, drug-free alternatives to traditional insomnia treatments, and further understanding the unique benefits of each exercise could be the next step, said Bu, who conducted the research when he was pursuing his master's degree at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. What causes insomnia, and how is it treated? It's not unusual to struggle with frequent bouts of restlessness. About 14.5% of adults reported trouble falling asleep most days or every day in the past month, according to a 2020 survey by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a clinical setting, insomnia is generally diagnosed when someone has trouble falling asleep and experiences frequent, drawn-out sleep disruptions three times or more per week, said Dr. Shalini Paruthi, an adjunct professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at St. Louis University School of Medicine and spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Long-term insomnia can stem from a wide array of environmental and hereditary causes, including stress, poor sleep habits, chronic pain, medications or other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, Paruthi said. Typically, the first line of treatment for insomnia involves cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, a psychological approach aimed at adjusting patients' thoughts, feelings and behaviors around sleep. 'It's common (for patients with insomnia) to lose hope about getting sleep at night, to anticipate they're just going to lay in bed with a racing mind,' Paruthi said. 'CBT allows them to reconsider how they're approaching and thinking about sleep.' Unlike other talk-oriented therapies, CBT does not require delving into a patient's past experiences or traumatic events, Paruthi said. Rather, the approach helps patients develop techniques to relax the mind and transition into sleep. 'We have very strong evidence that CBT can work just as good as medication, and it can last longer, because people are making new habits,' Paruthi said, adding that patients with insomnia typically see improvement in their symptoms after two to six weeks of therapy. Exercise, on the other hand, is not considered a first-line treatment for insomnia in any clinical guidance literature. Still, Paruthi said she frequently recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week alongside other methods. Important note: Before beginning any new exercise program, consult your doctor. Stop immediately if you experience pain. Three exercises you could try for better sleep Out of the randomized clinical trials Bu's team analyzed, these three physical activities had the best evidence behind their efficacy as a stand-alone treatment for insomnia. Yoga: Two to six 45- to 60-minute sessions of yoga per week over one to four months increased total sleep duration by nearly two hours per night and reduced instances of waking after falling asleep by an hour. 'Yoga can promote better sleep by encouraging deep breathing, body awareness and a calm mental state, which helps reduce stress and anxiety — two common triggers of insomnia,' Bu suggested. Tai chi: Two to three 45- to 60-minute sessions per week over three to four months increased total sleep duration by more than 50 minutes and reduced time spent awake by over 30 minutes. The Chinese martial art involves combining a series of flowing, low-impact movement with deep, slow breathing that may help reduce stress and calm the body, Bu said. Walking or jogging: Three to five 30- to 75-minute sessions per week over three to six months were shown to reduce symptoms of insomnia based on standardized scoring systems used in clinical settings. 'Walking or jogging improves sleep through both physical and emotional pathways: It increases energy expenditure, lowers stress hormones like cortisol, boosts mood, enhances melatonin production (the hormone that regulates sleep) and promotes deeper, more restorative sleep — ultimately helping to reduce insomnia symptoms,' Bu said. A compelling case for exercise Further research is needed to develop standardized regimens and understand the benefits of other exercises, Bu said. This information could help providers tailor their recommendations to the sleep challenges of their individual patients with insomnia. While Paruthi said the evidence of the meta-analysis is a compelling case for exercise as a complementary treatment, she wouldn't routinely recommend it as the only remedy. 'If a patient wants to try exercising more, I say to start slow, build up that intensity and frequency over time, but listen to your body and observe how it is improving your sleep,' Paruthi said. Timing your physical activity is important, too, she said. Exercise earlier in the day can make you feel alert, but an intense workout right before bed could make it harder to fall asleep. 'The most important thing is to choose something sustainable. … Sometimes it's easy to set lofty goals,' Paruthi said. '(With patients) we discuss what are some exercises they can routinely do and really stick to.' If lifestyle changes alone aren't doing the trick, it may be time to visit a sleep specialist, she said. Sign up for CNN's Sleep, But Better newsletter series. Our seven-part guide has helpful hints to achieve better sleep.


CNET
5 hours ago
- Health
- CNET
One Feature of the Oura Ring 4 Completely Transformed My Sleep Quality
It's no secret that sleep is important. At this point, I think we all understand that it affects just about every aspect of our well-being -- from mood to athletic performance. But I never really understood how much some of my daily habits affected my sleep quality and, in turn, my energy levels during the day. That is until I started using the Oura Ring. What started as an interesting way of tracking my step count and workouts ended up being a real game changer for my sleep and overall well-being. Unlike bulky smartwatches, the Oura ring is sleek, lightweight and highly comfortable. I wear it all day, every day, and only take it off while I shower (which is when I charge it). Every morning, I check the Oura app to see my sleep score, which breaks down how much sleep I got and how much time I spent in deep, REM and light sleep. For more on sleep, be sure to check out our best sleep trackers and tips on getting better rest tonight. How I use it Nasha Addarich Martínez/CNET The biggest thing I started paying attention to was my "Readiness Score," which tells me how well my body has recovered overnight and how well it handles daytime stress. If my score is low, Oura prompts me to take it easy that day and suggests meditations I can access from within the app. I've also used the ring to tweak my nighttime routine. I used to scroll on my phone before bed, but after seeing how much it disrupted my sleep, I switched to the in-app Headspace meditations instead. I noticed how my sleep quality has improved since then. Why it's worth it Before using an Oura ring, I thought I was getting decent sleep. After using the Oura Ring Gen 3 model for a year and then switching to the Gen 4 (which I have been using for six months), I now realize how much better I feel when prioritizing rest and having a good nighttime routine. I wake up feeling more refreshed and energized. It's also one of the few fitness trackers I don't mind wearing all the time since it looks like a piece of jewelry, not a bulky tech device. If you're curious about how your sleep and recovery impact your overall well-being, the Oura ring is for you. In fact, this gadget is so useful and easy to set up, I think it would make an excellent gift for anyone looking to step up their health and wellness game. For more gift ideas, we've rounded up a list of our favorite fitness gifts. And check out these fitness deals on health trackers, smart gyms and more.