There’s a little item that I can’t live without, that I always take with when I travel, and which I’ve become an expert on—an eye pillow! I’m always on the look out for good ones, because I have an unfortunate tendency to leave them in hotel rooms. The slight pressure on my eyes is very soothing. And the light-blocking quality of the eye pillow helps increase melatonin levels in the brain, which is very healthy for biorhythms, jet lag prevention, and an overall sense of well-being.

My favorite eye pillows are covered in silk. I like to feel the coolness of real silk against my skin. Sandwashed silk or silk charmeuse works well. The filling that works best for me is flax seeds. I also like the aromatherapy eye pillows, especially when scented with bergamot or lavender. I think that peppermint would also work well, but haven’t found one yet. And I think that rose aromatherapy would be heavenly!

Of course you can make your own easily enough. Just add some essential oil (if desired) to some flax seeds and fill a pillowcase made from a couple pieces of silk charmeuse. But sewing has never been my strong suit beyond my 8th grade home-ec class with Mrs. Poole when we had to make aprons. (And maybe potholders!) Either way, I believe we all deserve the simple pleasure of a good eye pillow to help us get a good rest!!