Getting to sleep isn’t my favourite activity. There have been too many nights I’ve spent staring into the dark, wondering how long it would take to finally get to sleep. I’m not alone as apparently 25% of the population in the UK suffer from sleep disorders. The result of which can cause day-time tiredness, weight gain and depression. Tired of being tired I was more than willing when the offer to review a sleep aid came our way. A few days later my Light Sleeper arrived and became my little, drug-free sleeping miracle.

At first glance the Light Sleeper reminded me of a tiny version of those telescopes used to spot aliens. Small enough to hold in my palm, as heavy as my blackberry and all white in colour with black rims, the Light Sleeper looks a rather serious device while still being aesthetically pleasing.

The idea behind the Light Sleeper is very simple. When you lie awake at night unable to sleep, your brain is often awake too. In between wondering how long it’s been since you rang your mum and reminding yourself to pay the gas bill, it’s often hard to switch off. Eventually over-tiredness kicks in causing you to become physically restless. The light sleeper works by shining a light on the ceiling in a slow, anti-clockwise movement. The act of following the light with your eyes can refocus and relax your brain allowing you to sleep. If it works, the stillness of your mind combined with a restful sleep should enable you to wake feeling refreshed. But does it work?

The first night I tried it, I admit I was very dubious. I placed in on a stand next to my bed, switched it on, chose my light strength (5 settings from low to high), then lay in bed and waited. Watching the light go round and round was boring, so boring in fact that I fell asleep. The next morning I woke up early! And awake! Wonderful! The next night it worked equally well, so well that I considered taking it on my Christmas holiday with me (I didn’t in the end). I’ve used it intermittently since then and have been very pleased with the result. Even on nights when it still took me a while to drop off, I still woke up feeling better than nights that I didn’t use it.

Things I rather like about the Light Sleeper:
• It has a rounded base which makes it difficult to knock it over in the night.
• It switches itself off after half an hour. If you find yourself still awake at that time, the LightSleeper is touch-sensitive so can be easily reactivated by the brush of a finger.
• Unlike sleeping medication, the Light Sleeper can be used at any hour. If you fall into bed at 2am you can still use the Light to get to sleep and not wake up groggy.

Things I don’t like about the Light Sleeper:
• It’s only useful if you sleep on your back. This seems a rather minor issue, but can become quite annoying if you’re used to sleeping on your side.
• It has to be placed somewhere where it can reach the ceiling unhampered. Easy to do if you have bedside tables, not so easy if you don’t.

Ultimately I love the Light Sleeper. Without it I find it much harder to quiet my mind enough to sleep. With it I easily focus my mind enough to just relax... Very impressed.

Currently being sold via www.lightsleeper.co.uk at £125. It will also be available shortly on www.boots.com