Unplug, wind down

“Life is a nightmare that prevents one from sleeping,” said Oscar Wilde. But since not all of us are 19th century dilettantes who also happen to be great writers, sleep is something we require. And those sleepless nights staring at mind-numbing posts on social media and barely dragging through work the next day can not only have an impact on productivity.

Enter Sleepio. Founded by sleep expert Professor Colin Espie and “ex-insomnia-sufferer” Peter Hames, Sleepio claims to be the solution to all your nightly problems.

Based on the science of sleep and cognition, Sleepio is a largely interactive web-based application to help you both in the short and long term. Sleepio offers virtual sleep therapy for insomniacs and takes into account a range of questions to customise the program according to the user. Almost like giving a history to the doctor without the unnecessary poking. The pricing is one that wouldn't leave a dent on the wallet either, and offered on a weekly, 12 weeks and a yearly basis. The costs range from 14.99 USD a week for the weekly to the 2.86USD per week for the one year program.

The iOS app is more suited for those who need a quick remedy to fall asleep. The interface takes you through exercises designed to make your body slowly drift into sleep. Sleepio has been shown to work with a Guardian review saying, “Sleepio is user-friendly and it works; it shook up my bad habits and showed me that I can improve without fistfuls of pills.”