There are all kinds of sleep aids available, and while many can indeed help you drift off into dreamland, some have the annoying tendency to leave you feeling like a zombie rising out of a pit. Luckily though, it doesn’t have to be this way. By choosing the right sleep aid and picking up some simple habits, you can get the sleep of your dreams without the nightmare of brain fog. 

Finding a Sleep Aid that Won’t Make You Groggy

While over-the-counter (OTC) sleep medications and supplements certainly vary, pretty much all of these types of sleep aids have the potential to leave you feeling groggy the next morning. But don’t despair just yet! Note, we said “potential.”

When you find the most effective OTC sleep aid option for you and take it correctly, you should wake up feeling well-rested and raring to meet the day.

Most people find they don’t experience any grogginess or “hangover-feeling” when they take an OTC sleep aid that uses diphenhydramine, an antihistamine. This is because our bodies can quickly and effectively eliminate it while we snooze away.

For example, if you take Sleep-Eze sleep aids as directed, which means you take them allowing an 8-hour period until you wake up, you should wake up feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

So long as your doctor hasn’t advised otherwise, don’t be afraid to try different types of sleep aids until you find the most effective OTC sleep aid and dosage for you. From Sleep-Eze alone, you can find a wide range of sleep aid strengths and styles, from classic tablets and liquids to gel caps and eze-melts® that dissolve on your tongue.

5 Tips to Help You Wake Up Refreshed After Taking Sleep Aids

Since you can easily wake up feeling confused, groggy or foggy with or without having taken a sleep aid, we’re giving you a range of tips that can help you avoid the dreaded brain fog when waking: 

1. Read those instructions – It’s important that you take your sleep medication, melatonin or other sleep aid as advised both for your own safety and so you’ll have a better chance of waking up bright and breezy rather than groggy and grumpy.
2. Take the lowest dose that works for you – The strongest sleep meds sound ideal when you’re dizzy from tossing and turning each night, but taking a stronger dose than your body needs may also increase morning brain fog.
3. Upgrade your mattress and bedding – Research shows this can significantly improve your sleep quality. If your sleep system is over 5 years old, it might be time to think of upgrading. (At last, the perfect excuse to get those soft, silky new sheets you’ve been eyeing up!)
4. Cool down your room – When your room is too warm (even when it’s cold outside) it can add to your fatigue. Research suggests the ideal temperature for sleep is around 18°C (65°F).
5. Avoid cigarettes and alcohol – Drinking alcohol in excess or shortly before you go to sleep reduces your sleep quality and can cause you to wake up frequently throughout the night, and nicotine can cause insomnia. Sorry rockstars!
   • It’s also important to remember you should never mix alcohol and sleeping meds. 

Habits to Help with Grogginess

If you find you do still wake up feeling groggy or foggy despite your best efforts, there are some simple steps you can take that may help, regardless of whether you’re taking sleep meds: 

• Start your day with some exercise – Even just a gentle workout can help you knock away the cobwebs and lift your brain fog.
• Sneak in a quick nap – If you have the opportunity, sneaking off for a quick nap (no more than 30 minutes) may help. Just don’t sleep for too long or you can disrupt your nighttime sleep.
• Consume a little caffeine – A caffeinated drink such as coffee or tea can get your brain up and buzzing about, but know your own tolerance and reaction to caffeine. Be sure not to consume too much caffeine or drink too late in the day, as this may just give you another sleepless night.
• Invest in a smart alarm – Using a special alarm that mimics the sunrise or a smart app that detects when you’re in a light phase of sleep can help you wake gently, which may reduce grogginess. Waking with the sun may also have you starting each day feeling like a fairy tale princess or prince, but results do vary. 

The last thing you want is to find a sleep aid that helps you conquer your sleep demons only to find that waking up is now a battle. So, don’t just dream about good sleep—try out some of our grogginess-slaying tips, so you can relax and enjoy the sleep you deserve.