This Tiny Sleep Tool Belongs On Every Nightstand (& The Proof Is In My Oura Scores)

My name is Carleigh, and I'm obsessed with sleep. Whether I'm diving deep into my Oura scores, raving about my sunrise alarm clock, or perfecting my wind-down routine, I can't go a day without talking about the importance of quality shut-eye.

But can you blame me? Poor sleep impacts all aspects of your health (e.g., heart health1, insulin sensitivity, metabolic health2, and mental health3, to name a few). That's why I'm always willing and eager to try anything that might improve my time spent in bed. 

Inspired by NASA research4, experts developed the Helight Sleep light based on the knowledge that light can significantly affect your circadian rhythm, sleep, and mood5. 

More specifically, Helight uses a low-intensity wavelength of red light (630 nanometers) that signals to the body it's time to wind down. This promotes natural melatonin production, which helps ease you into a deeper, more restorative sleep.

Personally, my body does not respond well to melatonin supplements (and we generally recommend avoiding it at mindbodygreen due to the lack of long-term research on the impact of taking the hormone). As much as these sleep aids might knock me out and keep me asleep, I always wake up feeling groggy.

This tiny light takes up minimal space on the nightstand, and the design is simple enough to fit any aesthetic. I choose to put mine right on the headboard (because, yes, I need a nightly in-your-face reminder to turn it on).

The light's small size is also great for travel purposes. I tested it during the holiday season and was able to easily pop it in my overnight bag when I wasn't sleeping at home. 

Again, I'm always willing to try new products that might benefit my sleep, but I'm not one to stick to a lengthy routine. Ergo, I strongly prefer those that fit seamlessly into my existing regimen—and the Helight fits the bill tenfold.

With just a click of its single button, the Helight emits pure 630-nanometer red light for 14 minutes before gradually fading out. And after 28 minutes it completely turns off.

OK, on to the good stuff. The brand says some people need about 21 days with the Helight to adapt and regulate their sleep, but others feel results immediately. 

I noticed a difference in the very first week. I was falling asleep faster and sleeping deeper through the night—and, if I did wake up in the middle of the night and had trouble resettling, I simply turned the Helight on and let it do its thing again (trust me, this works). 

While I value how I feel, I live for tangible evidence. When I compared my average sleep score and readiness score for November (with the Helight) to October (before the Helight), the proof was all there.