If you’ve been struggling with energy levels or sleep quality (and honestly, who hasn’t?), there’s an innovative wearable that’s catching the attention of wellness enthusiasts and sleep experts alike. Enter AYO, a sleek, light-therapy device that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie but promises very down-to-earth benefits for your circadian rhythm.

Unlike your typical fitness tracker, AYO takes a unique approach by focusing on light therapy. The device sits on your face like a pair of glasses, delivering carefully calibrated blue light to help regulate your body’s internal clock. Think of it as a personal sunrise simulator that you can wear anywhere.

What sets AYO apart is its sophisticated understanding of chronobiology – the science of our body’s natural rhythms. The companion app creates a personalized schedule based on your sleep patterns, travel plans, and daily routine. Whether you’re fighting jet lag, struggling with seasonal blues, or just trying to reset your sleep schedule after too many late-night Netflix binges, AYO has you covered.

The Science Behind the Specs

The device works by emitting specific wavelengths of blue light that signal to your brain it’s time to be alert. By wearing AYO for 5-60 minutes during your biological morning (which the app helps you determine), you’re essentially giving your body clock a gentle but effective nudge in the right direction.

The App: Your Personal Circadian Coach

The brilliance of AYO extends far beyond the wearable itself. Its companion app serves as your personal chronobiologist, offering an impressive range of customization options tailored to your unique needs.

What truly elevates the AYO experience is the app’s remarkable versatility. Upon setup, you’ll select your primary goal – whether you’re looking to optimize sleep, combat winter blues, boost energy levels, or even enhance metabolism. The app then crafts a personalized regimen specifically calibrated to your chosen target.

The customization doesn’t stop there. The app gives you granular control over your light therapy sessions, allowing you to adjust both the intensity of the blue light and the duration of each treatment. This level of personalization ensures that even light-sensitive users can find their comfort zone while still reaping the benefits.

For those of us battling the infamous afternoon energy crash, AYO offers a game-changing solution. The app can recommend multiple daily sessions strategically timed to your body’s natural rhythm. I’ve personally found that adding an early afternoon session right after lunch has dramatically minimized my 3 PM slump – a revelation for my productivity.

Perhaps one of the most thoughtful features is the app’s caffeine guidance. It actually calculates and alerts you to when you should have your final caffeinated beverage of the day based on your sleep schedule. This small but significant detail demonstrates AYO’s holistic approach to circadian health.

My Experience

After wearing AYO for several weeks, I noticed subtle but meaningful changes in my energy patterns. The morning light sessions helped me feel more alert without the jittery side effects of my usual triple-shot espresso. Following the app’s suggestion to add that second session after lunch has been transformative for my afternoon productivity – no more mid-afternoon energy crashes that once had me reaching for sugary snacks or extra coffee.

The most surprising benefit? I found myself naturally winding down earlier in the evening, making those precious eight hours of sleep actually achievable. And by following the app’s recommendation about timing my last cup of coffee, I’ve found myself falling asleep more easily and waking feeling genuinely refreshed.

The Aesthetic Factor

Let’s address the elephant in the room – yes, you’ll look a bit like you’re about to pilot a spaceship while wearing AYO. But the design is surprisingly minimal and lightweight. The device is compact enough to toss in your bag, making it perfect for travel or mid-day energy slumps at the office.

The Bottom Line

While AYO isn’t a miracle cure for all sleep woes, it’s an intriguing option for anyone looking to optimize their circadian rhythm through natural means. The investment might seem steep, but when you consider the cost of daily premium coffees or sleep supplements, the long-term value becomes clear.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of AYO:

• Consistency is key – use it at the same time each day
• Follow the app’s personalized schedule
• Don’t hesitate to experiment with the intensity settings until you find your sweet spot
• Try the multi-session approach if you struggle with afternoon energy dips
• Take advantage of the caffeine timing recommendations
• Combine with good sleep hygiene practices
• Keep the device charged

Would I recommend it? For those serious about optimizing their sleep-wake cycle and willing to commit to a new routine, AYO offers a science-backed approach that goes beyond traditional sleep tracking. The sophisticated app makes this more than just a light device – it’s a comprehensive circadian health system. Just remember – while the technology is impressive, it works best as part of a holistic approach to wellness that includes proper nutrition, exercise, and stress management.

Sweet dreams and bright mornings, beauties!

The post AYO Blue Light Wearable Review: The Ultimate Guide to Circadian Rhythm Optimization appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

I am going to introduce you to some innovative sleep technology with my MOONA Cooling Pillow Pad review. Sleep makes up nearly a third of our lives, and it has a huge impact on the other two thirds of our lives.  Good sleep is the foundational pillar of good health and optimal functioning, but during this unprecedented time of a global pandemic, stress levels are at an all-time high, and many people are struggling to wind down sufficiently to get the restorative rest so vital to ongoing health, optimal immunity, and general wellbeing. Like so many people, I have wanted a safe, non-habit-forming way to improve my sleep, so I was delighted to discover and get to review MOONA, the Precision Cooling Pillow Pad.  MOONA uses a bedside device, pillow pad, and sophisticated app to help regulate temperature around the head and neck area to help the user fall asleep faster, sleep more deeply, and wake up naturally and gently.

Cooler temperatures, especially around the head and neck (where much thermic exchange occurs), facilitate falling asleep and getting deeper sleep, whereas a warmer temperature will help wake a person up in the morning.  To see some of the cutting-edge scientific literature supporting this, click here.  MOONA helps improve sleep by providing personalized temperature regulation customized to the user, delivering cool temperatures to the pillow pad throughout the night to facilitate and deepen sleep, and then gradually increasing the temperature to help the user wake up at a scheduled time in the morning.  The result is both better rest and a less groggy awakening in the morning.

The setup for MOONA is easy and intuitive, and the app and device work flawlessly together.  On the app, your Temperature Profile is divided into three phases:  Fall Asleep, Night, and Wake Up.  The app will recommend an ideal Temperature Profile based on a few questions you answer during setup, but you can easily adjust any of the recommended settings yourself as well if you have a different preference.  After each night, the MOONA app asks you to answer a few basic questions about how you slept and how well MOONA worked for you (e.g., was it too cold, too hot).  MOONA uses your input over time to further personalize your temperature profile through a machine learning algorithm, which means that your temperature profile gets automatically optimized with your feedback.  The cooling and heating of the pillow pad is done through water circulating in thin silicone tubing inside the pillow pad; the bedside device is what cools or warms up the water, which then diffuses into the pillow before cycling back to the beside device to be cooled or warmed again, providing gentle temperature regulation.  This design is nice because there is minimal activity going on beneath your head (e.g., just a quiet flow of liquid in through the tubing—which you cannot even feel) as you rest on the pillow pad.

In addition to having a very sleek design and aesthetic that looks nice on a bedside table, MOONA is also well-engineered to be a great sleep device.  For example, it is extremely quiet.  If you are worried that the noise MOONA makes might disturb fragile sleep, you can rest easy, as MOONA runs at around 25-35dB, which is quieter than a whisper!  In fact, MOONA is so quiet that I initially had trouble detecting any sound at all when I turned it on, such that I wondered if it was working.  Happily, it turns out it was working perfectly, albeit very quietly; MOONA is just near silent, and this remains true even when it is set to heat or cool to the maximum settings.  I had expected it to be much louder than it is, and I am impressed by how minimally disruptive its barely-audible purr really is. Additionally, the pillow pad itself manages to control temperature while still being very thin and lightweight, such that it will neatly and easily fit into the pillowcase when placed on top of your favorite pillow, all without substantially changing the feel of the favorite pillow itself.  Altogether, the pillow pad is only 19mm (0.8in) thick.  The soft, thin pillow pad—along with the quiet operation of the device when it is working–make MOONA very unobtrusive and quite comfortable in combination with the pillow of your choice.

I found MOONA wonderfully comfortable, and it worked well with every pillow I tried. I have already raved about how quiet it is, but it is also easy to get accustomed to using. MOONA does its cooling sleep magic in a way that is almost subtle, which is important for a sleep device. Although you might expect that a chilly pillow would initially be uncomfortable and/or require a long adjustment period, I did not find this to be the case. Perhaps because MOONA strategically targets just the head and neck (rather than a cooling mattress pad, for instance), the cooling it provides is—for lack of a better word–unobtrusive. I never once woke up or had trouble falling asleep because I felt “too cold” with MOONA.  Even on its coldest settings, MOONA was comfortable. Having tried cooling mattress pads, I can tell you that those did wake me up feeling cold, and I much prefer MOONA’s strategic, targeted cooling.

Before I started using MOONA, my sleep tended to be light and broken up by many awakenings through the night. Since incorporating MOONA into my bedtime routine, I am sleeping much more soundly.  Since receiving the device, I have been tracking my sleep with an Oura ring to measure any changes.  Most of all, I was interested in changes in my Sleep Score. Oura’s Sleep Score is calculated according to multiple factors, including your total sleep time, sleep efficiency (the percentage of time you spend asleep during the night), latency (the time it takes you to fall asleep), among other metrics, so it is a good overall indicator of sleep quality. Objectively, I have seen a significant and fairly steady improvement in my overall Sleep Score as measured nightly by my Oura ring, demonstrating without a doubt that MOONA has benefitted the overall quality of my sleep. When I received MOONA in mid-February of this year, my monthly average Sleep Score was 66; with MOONA, my Sleep Score improved to an average of 77 in March and 73 in April, both showing significant improvement over my average sleep quality before MOONA. I am sleeping much better, and that in and of itself is a great benefit, but the best reward of using MOONA these last two months is that I feel better rested and more energized during the day.  MOONA has made a difference in the overall quality of my days and nights.  If you struggle with insomnia, poor sleep quality, or daytime fatigue, I highly recommend MOONA as a sleek, well-designed way to comfortably improve your sleep quality—all with none of the side effects or daytime grogginess of so many sleep aids.

In closing, I highly recommend MOONA for more restful nights and better days. If you are curious to try it for yourself, you can do so at no risk. MOONA comes with a generous 60-day trial period during which you can request a return at any point. Try MOONA and treat yourself to better sleep here.

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My NeoRhythm Review: A Versatile Wellness Device

NeoRhythm is a sleek, well-designed neurostimulation headband made for home use that relies on safe, scientifically-proven technology called Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy to help the user achieve their desired state of mind. NeoRhythm offers a variety of programs that help the user achieve any of the following when desired:  Energy and Vitality, Enhanced Mental Capacity, Deep Relaxation, Improved Sleep, Pain Control, Theta Meditation for Creativity, or Calming Meditation for Synchronization. NeoRhythm accomplishes all this by helping the brain mimic external signals coming from the device, through a well-studied process called entrainment. Each of the 7 available programs was carefully designed by a team of scientists to emit specific dominant and accompanying frequencies that match the brain’s naturally-occurring frequencies in each given state of mind.  Each of NeoRhythm’s programs emits frequencies precisely chosen to cue the brain, encourage it to mimic a specific pattern and, hence, function in–or considerably closer to– that preferred state. If NeoRhythm’s approach initially sounds like space-age mind control, let me reassure you that it is actually very safe and natural; the same principle (entrainment) is often at play in daily life, for instance, when you find yourself getting sleepy on a train ride when the repetitive vibration of the wheels gently lulls you to sleep (e.g., our brains are mirroring the rhythm).

In terms of the headband itself, NeoRhythm features five inverted coils that emit waves.  The device is designed so that it can be placed in a number of different stimulating positions depending on the specific program (e.g., Energy and Vitality, Enhanced Mental Capacity, etc.), so that each position corresponds with its program to most directly access the part of the brain most involved in generating the particular state of mind. Thus, for Enhanced Mental Capacity, NeoRhythm is worn on the front of the head over the prefrontal cortex; whereas for the Pain Control program, it is worn on the back of the head or even around the back of the neck to target the parietal and temporal lobes. Technically, the magnetic fields NeoRhythm emits are classified as medium intensity repetitive stimulation (MI rTMS); some PEMF devices on the market use weaker fields and others use stronger; it’s worth noting that NeoRhythm is particularly effective in part due to it precise, targeted stimulation areas for each program. To top off the technology, the device is gesture controlled, so that a user can turn it on/off and select and begin a chosen program with simple gestures!  If it sounds like a very advanced and versatile wearable device, it is!

NeoRhythm in Enhance Mental Capacity Mode

A great deal of science went into the creation of NeoRhythm. The headband was years in the making and its creation involved a large team of experts in varied fields. Thse experts conducted extensive literature reviews when creating each of the 7 wellness programs. For a basic explanation of brainwaves, gamma brainwaves (30+ Hz) have the highest frequencies and are associated with states of heightened alertness.  Beta brainwaves (14-30 Hz) tend to dominate when we are awake and normally alert. Alpha brainwaves (9-13 Hz) dominate when we are awake but relaxed.  Theta brainwaves (4-8 Hz) dominate when we are in a state of reduced alertness or reduced consciousness, such as falling into a light or REM sleep or experiencing a deep meditation.  Delta brainwaves (less than 4 Hz) are dominant when we are in our deepest sleep.  With this in mind, we can begin to understand the working of each of NeoRhythm’s 7 programs.

Energy and Vitality helps your mind feel as though you have had a burst of energy, using a dominant frequency of gamma along with an accompanying weaker, slightly higher gamma frequency. Enhanced Mental Capacity harnesses a dominant frequency of beta brainwaves along with a weaker frequency of gamma brainwaves to cue the brain to be alert and focused. Deep Relaxation emits dominant alpha waves accompanied by delta waves, encouraging a balanced relaxation. Improved Sleep uses a dominant theta frequency with a weaker delta frequency to help encourage and maintain sleep. Pain Control emits a dominant gamma brainwave with an accompanying alpha brainwave to decrease pain sensitivity. (Although how these frequencies would reduce sensations of pain may initially seem perplexing, it is worth noting that PEMF technology has a long and well-validated history in pain reduction and generally calms nerves and quiets inflammation).  Theta Meditation for Creativity utilizes theta waves with an accompanying weaker frequency of alpha waves.  Meditation for Calming and Synchronization emits a dominant alpha frequency accompanied by a weaker theta frequency.

Although the science behind brainwaves and PEMF can get complex when you dig into it, the company that created NeoRhythm, OmniPEMF, welcomes questions and puts a great deal of effort into educating their consumers and prospective buyers about how the headband works (e.g., by being responsive to questions, providing a Science section on their website, and sending an informative newsletter featuring topics such as “A Guide to Brainwaves”). The company also fosters community amongst users through a private Facebook group, OmniPEMF Community, where we can compare notes or troubleshoot and curious prospective purchasers can ask users questions about their experiences and results.  The community is supportive, and OmniPEMF staff stay very involved in assisting with issues. In fact, it is not unusual for the CEO, Marko Kadunc, to personally respond to questions or concerns.

NeoRhythm in Deep Relaxation Mode

Fortunately, I have not required much assistance, because I found NeoRhythm reliable and user friendly from the first use. There is a foolproof Quick Start Guide printed right inside the box in which the device comes, and I found that was sufficient to get me started successfully.  NeoRhythm’s accompanying App is also very straightforward to use. The App has built in guidance on how to optimally position the headband for each of NeoRhythm’s 7 programs and also allows the user to select the duration for a given program. In the even of unusual technical difficulties, the device also comes with a full User Manual with precise instructions and troubleshooting guidance.  It is worth noting that both the headset and the App have worked reliably for me across dozens of sessions; unlike some wearables, there are very few, if any, glitches with the App or Headset. This reliability is refreshing, because too often with innovative wearables, the finished products feels like it ought to be a beta tester, with lots of kinks still to work out. NeoRhythm operates as advertised and is extremely user-friendly.

In addition to NeoRhythm’s unique ability to encourage such a diverse array of states of mind, another remarkable thing is that the process is totally painless (in fact, it is hard for most people to perceive) and completely within a range considered safe for home use. In fact, the process is so imperceptible that OmniPEMF provides a special magnet with the device so that users may test their NeoRhythm at any time to ensure the device is functioning correctly.  The device itself has a sleek, comfortable design and is lightweight and adjustable for comfort. As I mentioned, the accompanying App is reliable and intuitive to set-up and use, even the first time. Another nice feature is that NeoRhythm charges quickly and maintains its charge for what seems like countless hours. Unlike some wearables that are constantly running out of charge right when you need them, the battery life of NeoRhythm is extremely impressive. Nothing is more frustrating than a promising device or wearable that you can hardly ever use because it constantly needs to be recharged.  I love that NeoRhythm is typically “ready to go” whenever I want to use it, and little time is ever spent waiting around for it to charge, even when I have used it for several days for hours at a time.

NeoRhythm is Placed Under the Pillow for Enhanced Sleep

In addition to being user-friendly and well-designed, NeoRhythm truly delivers benefits. Unlike some devices I have tested that now gather dust, I use NeoRhythm at least a few times every day. This is a testament to how much I enjoy the device and the utility it offers. I find that the programs are incredibly helpful. Each user may respond a little differently to the 7 programs, and favorites tend to vary by the individual. The programs I find myself relying on most heavily are Energy and Vitality and Enhanced Mental Capacity.  I use these daily because they help me push through my “To Do” list when I would otherwise give into distraction or exhaustion. Although the benefits are subtle, they are real for me.  In other words, the Energy and Vitality program has never acted like a “jolt” and caused me to get the jitters or bounce off the walls, but it does help me keep going a bit longer when I’m tired. I would call the effects subtle yet noticeable if that makes sense.  NeoRhythm is not designed to take the place of important modes of self-care (e.g., sleep hygiene, healthy diet, regular exercise), but it is a worthy assistant in the pursuit of wellness.

Another great thing about NeoRhythm is that it is so easy to fit into a routine; you simply start the desired program, put on the headband in the optimal position, and then give your mind a gentle nudge in whatever direction you desire. Unlike something like trying to establish a meditation practice (which requires focus, discipline, and commitment), NeoRhythm requires no additional effort, focus, or skill on the part of the user to work its magic.  The programs work painlessly and outside of awareness to help the user achieve a desired state of mind. In a world full of so many demands, it is nice to find a wearable like NeoRhythm that provides an array of benefits so effortlessly.  Especially during this unprecedented and stressful time, NeoRhythm is a truly valuable aid.

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In this video, I’m interviewing Ami Brannon from Neuvana, the company behind the first commercially-available Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS), Neuvana Xen Headphones. This innovative wellness device has been recognized by winning iPhone Life’s Best of CES 2020 Award.

Ms. Brannon has a background in medicine and is an expert on the vagus nerve, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and all the latest emerging science and research around these topics, so it was a real treat to interview her!

Tune in to our discussion below and find out what the vagus nerve is, what it does, and why stimulating it is so valuable for boosting wellness and managing chronic stress. Also, learn what vagal tone is and how using this device can help improve it. Get tips on how to best use Xen for optimal benefits.

You can learn more about the innovative science behind Neuvanna Xen here!

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ZIIP Nano Current Device Review! Coming soon . . . .

Is the electrical esthetician Melanie Simon’s creation, the ZIIP device, worth its golden price tag? How does it compare to other devices on the market like NuFACE? Is nano better than microcurrent?  What kind of results can you expect?  What different treatments (e.g., cocktails) does the device offer, and how effective are they?  What would you like to know before you invest in the ZIIP?  Let me know your burning questions, and I will try to answer them!

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BEFORE NuFACE

                                                  AFTER ONE 5-Minute NuFACE Mini Tx

After my gradual, but notable, success with the NuFACE Mini, I decided to invest in a NuFACE Trinity, which is very similar to the NuFACE Mini, with the exception that the Trinity allows the user to incorporate attachments for even better, more precise anti-aging results. Both are FDA-cleared devices that deliver dramatic anti-aging results. The attachments are the Trinity Wrinkle Reducer Attachment, which features LED, and the Trinity ELE Attachment. I hope to try the ELE Attachment and document further progress.  In the meantime, I have continued using my NuFACE Trinity consistently for several more weeks, and you can see my rather remarkable improvements in firmness below.

AFTER 12 WEEKS of NuFACE

CONCLUSION

PROS: The NuFACE has been called a “5 Minute Face Lift,” and it at least approaches that claim, particularly with cumulative results from ongoing use. Considering how
impossible it often feels to lift sagging skin, with some dedication, the NuFACE Mini is highly effective at a fairly reasonable price.  If you want to take your results to even
greater heights and are willing to pay more, the NuFACE Trinity allows the use of attachments that (I am assuming) allow for greater precision and perhaps even better results.

CONS: To see good results, you have to be quite consistent. Microcurrent treatment can be somewhat uncomfortable and could potentially be truly painful for individuals with low pain tolerance and/or particularly sensitive skin.  I found the sensation of treatment slightly aversive, but tolerable. I have sensitive, reactive skin, and often NuFACE treatment left my skin somewhat red and irritated for an hour or so; I would not recommend attempting treatment with this device when skin is at all inflamed or compromised.

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  BEFORE                               AFTER

Personally, I like and recommend Quasar MD PLUS, but I must admit that if I had paid (the hefty) full price for the device, I would be disappointed that my results are not miraculous. The improvements I have seen are real, but they are not jaw-dropping. As with many beauty devices, I feel like I have to use this regularly to try to maintain results, especially on expression lines. There are other options; the Quasar MD PLUS has a treatment head of 1.94 inches in diameter with 5 mm LEDs, whereas the Baby Quasar PLUS has a treatment head of 1.44 inches in diameter with 3mm LEDs.  If you are willing to devote a little extra time, Baby Quasar PLUS will deliver the same results as the more expensive model.

Bottom Line:  This device, although not as miraculous for me as I may have hoped, does make a difference, possibly shaving off 3-4 years my appearance when I use it regularly.  I personally have not had any particular issues with sensitivity or inflammation from using it, but I do recommend caution on sensitive skin as well as always doing spot tests as advised in the directions.

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What It Is

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