How do you sleep at night? 

When I was first made aware of the YouTube channel WhispersRed ASMR, where Emma massages you without touching you, I was struggling with sleep problems. It sounded absurd but I gave it a try.

Emma, a sleep therapist and content creator, just looked ridiculous to me as she fluffed the pillows and massaged an imaginary person. I burst out laughing.

She gently tucked in the imaginary person in a personal, kind and caring way. She gently whispered to me (and millions of people watching this video). It was as if I was getting a first-class personal massage in a massage parlour (in a non-sexual way) with reaffirmation. Emma even asks you how your day was and reminds you how important you are.

“Never forget how important you are to all those around you. Tomorrow is another day; let’s prepare for sleep,” she says in one of her videos, Comforting Tucking You Into Sleep.

In that moment, a tingling sensation went from my head down my spine and into my body, leaving me with a sense of calm. For the first time in several months, I drifted off into sleep in under 10 minutes. I was sold. Honestly, it sounds untrue until you try it. Here are two comments from Emma’s subscribers.

“I’m a mother of two sensitive girls. I don’t have a relationship with my mum. I can’t explain how comforting it is to be ‘tucked in’ and ‘taken care of ’ when I’m always the one doing those things. What sets your videos apart from the rest is your gentleness. You take your time and never rush through a trigger. You’ve helped me through so much, Emma. Thank you.”

“I’ve had an awful week trying to wean from antidepressants from postpartum depression. Today was extra rough, and I haven’t been nice to myself. Your video, and your words are so soothing to me tonight. Thank you!”

WHY SLEEP IS IMPORTANT?

In today’s fast-paced world, worries roam free in our heads and rest remains elusive – what will I eat for breakfast, is that a thief stealing my charcoal, will Putin finally end the war? Will America stop playing the victim? Is that paint white or off-white?

Finding a peaceful night’s sleep can feel like searching for a mythical treasure. Amidst the whirlwind of commitments and the digital buzz that fills our days, the night should offer a sanctuary, a moment of calm. The importance of sleep for our physical health, mental clarity and emotional balance cannot be underestimated.

Research shows the stark consequences of sleep deprivation, from an increased risk of heart disease and obesity, to impaired memory and increased anxiety. Yet, in acknowledging these shadows, we also find a deeper appreciation for the profound gifts that sleep gives us – from healing our bodies to enriching our minds and calming our spirits.

Yet the worries of the world – which grow with each passing day – continue to rob us of much-needed rest. If it is not the overdue school fees or rent, it is the way parliament is crazily spending that is keeping you awake at night.

A few years ago when terrorists were throwing bombs in different parts of Uganda, a couple checked into an upcountry hotel with their children, but by their confession, spent the night on the balcony, ‘watching for terrorists’.

When there is political, economic or social turmoil in your spaces, sleep becomes an even more coveted but elusive item. For others, as a result of age, hormonal changes and more, sleep disorders and insomnia are their new normal.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE SLEEP INDUSTRY

Enter the vibrant evolution of the sleep industry, which offers solutions on our smartphones – Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), rain videos and nature sounds of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of western Uganda, to celebrities and sleep stories, sleep apps and more.

ASMR artists such as WhispersRed offer a touchless massage to lull you to sleep. At about 10pm, Google searches for channels including WhispersRed ASMR and Gentle Whispering ASMR peak. The youtubers use as many visual aids as possible to create a realistic environment.

All you have to do is imagine yourself in the room, bed or salon where the ASMR experience is being offered. Nature has also found its place in our nighttime rituals through rain videos and nature sound channels. The Relaxed Guy and Soothing Relaxation serve as digital gateways to the serene wilderness, transporting us to the soothing sounds of the earth.

These sounds speak to the nature within and around us. Paid subscription apps such as Calm, Headspace and Noisli offer guided meditations and sleep stories to customisable soundscapes.

And this is where it gets even more interesting. Multimillionaires and celebrities such as basketball player Lebron James, actor Matthew McConaughey and singer Harry Styles have lent their voices to the “small, growing digital industry” of sleep.

Celebrity bedtime stories combine the charm of narration with the familiar comfort of their strong, beloved voices to lull you to sleep. LeBron James teamed up with the Calm app for his bedtime story, King of the Sleeping City.

In Train Your Mind, he also shares his insights on the importance of mental fitness and rest. He emphasises the critical role that sleep plays in achieving peak performance in both sport and everyday life.

For babies and children, the sleep revolution offers gentle relaxation. White noises and sleep apps mimic the soothing hum of the womb or the rhythmic sounds of home (the washing machine noise is a favourite here) and support parents and babies alike in their quest for rest.

These aids not only improve the quality of baby’s sleep, but also provide relief for tired parents.

POTENTIAL DISADVANTAGES OF SLEEP INNOVATIONS

While sleep apps and YouTube videos offer promising solutions for those who struggle to get a good night’s sleep, they also have potential drawbacks. The risk of relying too much on technology for sleep can undermine natural sleep hygiene and make it harder to sleep without these aids.

It is easy to replace one’s addiction to alcoholic drinks or sleeping pills at bedtime with a sleep app, which does not push one in the desired direction of naturally falling into deep sleep.

In addition, using screens before bedtime can disrupt the body’s melatonin production through exposure to blue light, which negatively impacts sleep quality.

The cost of subscriptions that allow full access to sleep apps can be a barrier for many, limiting access for those who need it most. Furthermore, despite the customisable options that many of these tools provide, they cannot perfectly cater to the individual and varying needs of each user, sometimes leading to frustration.

For example, a restless baby in the West may find the sound of a washing machine soothing and familiar, while a baby in Uganda where washing machines are not as common, may only be left agitated and scared by the same sound.

These challenges emphasise the need for a balanced approach to the use of sleep technologies to ensure that they complement, rather than dominate, the sleep experience.

ALTERNATIVES TO SLEEP TECHNOLOGY

For people who want to improve their sleep quality without relying on technology, traditional methods offer effective alternatives. Establishing a regular sleep routine helps to synchronise the body’s internal clock, while creating a sleep-promoting environment — cool, dark and calm — improves the physical space for rest.

Mindfulness and relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing serve to calm the mind and body, reduce stress and ease the transition to sleep. Regular exercise can also contribute to better sleep, provided you avoid strenuous exercise just before bedtime to avoid stimulation.

Limiting your intake of stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine before bedtime can help you avoid disturbances in falling asleep and achieving deep sleep.

In addition, low-energy activities such as reading and journaling before bed can help calm the mind so that you drift off to sleep more easily. These time-honoured practices are valuable, easily accessible ways to achieve restful sleep without the need for digital devices or apps.

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