Each year, gifters everywhere (at least the earliest and most organized shoppers) start gathering inspo for those on their holiday list using the annual Goop Gift Guide. Goop is the brainchild of actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who started the publication as a newsletter in her home in 2008, and now is well known across the commerce landscape as a must-see for ridiculous, surprising, yet strangely perfect holiday gifts for those hardest to shop for.
This year, as sleep continues to move to the forefront of everyone’s mind for both physical and mental health improvements, two sleep-related products topped the Goop list — lip tape and a vibrating sleep mask. But are they really the best sleep tools? Here’s what to know before buying these items for the holidays, for yourself or someone on your list.
A Surprising Stocking Stuffer
The last thing you might expect to receive for a gift is mouth tape. Yet, VIO2 Mouth Tape topped this list, pointing to the trend circulating throughout the year on social media, meant to prevent mouth breathing as you sleep. Goop’s caption on the product listing reads: “Out: Mouth breathing. In: Mouth taping.” However, this isn’t a wellness product to flippantly consider like flavored floss or a cute new sheet set. In fact, it may negatively affect the health of those with certain medical conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
A study published in Lancet Respiratory Medicine found that globally over a billion people between the ages of 30 and 69 could have OSA. (1) Another study conducted in March of 2024 found that obstructive sleep apnea patients who tried this method of mouth taping engaged in “mouth puffing” where they would puff air out of the sides of their mouth around the tape. (2) Instead, people who might have OSA, or otherwise have symptoms like mouth breathing, snoring, fatigue, and more, should reach out to a healthcare professional before starting mouth tape.
Instead of 48 nights of mouth tape, opt for the classic pair of pajamas on the Goop list instead. And give your snoring friend a nudge to reach out to their doctor.
An Eye Mask With a Twist
Eye masks have long been a must-have for sleeping on a plane, blocking out that bathroom light your partner insists on leaving on overnight, and general rest. And there might be some comfort benefits, though medical benefits are iffy. But what if your mask collided with a face massager — that’s the Therabody Sleep Mask, a vibrating eye mask topping this gift guide. The brand points to their own research showing a 36 percent reduction in stress, and improved length of time in deep sleep.
Cleveland Clinic reports, “Putting on an eye cover for sleep can be part of a calming bedtime routine that conditions your brain to recognize everything’s safe, calm and comfortable. (3) Your routine tells the brain it’s time to shut off and let sleep come.”
A 2022 study published in the National Library of Medicine had 35 participants sleep with and without sleep masks. (4) Their findings suggest that “wearing an eye mask during overnight sleep can improve episodic encoding [how well your brain receives and registers information] and alertness the next day.” However, Harvard Health notes that in two other significant studies on eye masks, participants didn’t end up having any benefits of sleeping with a mask. (5)
Not sure if your recipient will be a fan? You can always go with the budget-friendly Boyfriend Grip Socks instead — which happen to be great for plodding to the bathroom… hit that light while you’re in there for better sleep.
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Sources
1. “Estimation of the global prevalence and burden of obstructive sleep apnoea: a literature-based analysis,” Benjafield, Adam V et al.
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, Volume 7, Issue 8, 687 – 698; https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(19)30198-5/abstract; August 2019
2. Jau JY, Kuo TBJ, Li LPH, Chen TY, Lai CT, Huang PH, Yang CCH. Mouth puffing phenomena of patients with obstructive sleep apnea when mouth-taped: device’s efficacy confirmed with physical video observation. Sleep Breath. 2023 Mar;27(1):153-164. doi: 10.1007/s11325-022-02588-0. Epub 2022 Mar 11. PMID: 35277783; PMCID: PMC9992075.
3. Cleveland Clinic; “The Case for Wearing a Sleep Mask,” https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-case-for-wearing-a-sleep-mask; March 17, 2021.
4. Greco V, Bergamo D, Cuoccio P, Konkoly KR, Muñoz Lombardo K, Lewis PA. Wearing an eye mask during overnight sleep improves episodic learning and alertness. Sleep. 2023 Mar 9;46(3):zsac305. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsac305. PMID: 36521010; PMCID: PMC9995773.
5. Zhou, Eric; “Does sleeping with an eye mask improve learning and alertness?” Harvard Health; https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/does-sleeping-with-an-eye-mask-improve-learning-and-alertness-202402213017; February 21, 2024.
