Sleep aids and medical massage chairs: five pieces of wellness tech for the body and mind

From gadgets to stop you slouching to moisturising hairdryers, these latest tech launches have well-being at the forefront

The Upright Go II promises to stop you slouching in your chair while spending a lot of time at your desk.

Whether you're struggling to sleep or need some help improving your posture, there's a device that can help. We round up five of the latest launches.

Sleepbuds II

Bose’s Sleepbuds II are now available at Virgin Megastores in the UAE. The “bedtime wearable” contains technology that is clinically proven to make people fall asleep faster. Bose is quick to qualify that these aren’t active noise cancelling headphones or in-ear headphones with an added feature, and they don’t stream music or let you take and make calls – because every detail is optimised towards a single purpose: better sleep.

The Sleepbuds II feature new proprietary ear tips for a secure, soft fit. They do not cancel sounds, but instead cover the distractions caused by things such as loud partners, traffic or barking dogs, with three categories of “content”, including 14 noise-masking tracks that mirror the frequencies of night-time disruptions, hiding them under soothing layers of audio; and 25 tracks designed to help you relax. The free Bose Sleep App also lets you set an alarm and manage volume. Each bud is a quarter-inch deep, to reduce irritating contact when your head is resting on a pillow, and they are sweat and water resistant.

Bose Sleepbuds II, Dh1,049, www.virginmegastore.ae

Elizabeth Medical Massage Chair

At the end of a long day, you may be tempted to sink into the Elizabeth Medical Massage Chair. Slated for global release this month, the chair is the brainchild of Bodyfriend, a health and wellness solutions company in Seoul, which hopes that its latest release will act as an antidote to the stress and anxiety experienced by many as a result of the pandemic. The chair is fitted with a blood pressure monitor and, when paired with a dedicated lifestyle management app, can provide tailored massages that double as therapeutic tools. It can activate the parasympathetic nerve and blood vessel dilation through thermal massages, help regulate respiratory rate through its integrated speakers, offer magnetic acupressure for the hands or initiate thigh stretching and simulation.

“We developed the Elizabeth Medical Massage Chair to be an industry first and to address the skyrocketing stresses around the globe,” says Changjoo Kim, chief executive of Bodyfriend North America. “Relying on critical data on the effects of stress, anxiety and depression, we combined creative massage design engineering with a hardware/software platform that can accurately measure and manage a person’s blood pressure – ultimately optimising the blood pressure of the person over time.”

Upright Go II

If days spent hunched over the kitchen table as you work from home have you worrying about your posture, the Upright Go II could be just the thing to help you fix it. The tiny device can be attached to the upper back using an adhesive strip, or attached to a necklace, and will vibrate every time you slouch, gently encouraging you to sit or stand up straight, and making you more mindful of your posture as you move through your day. The act of correcting yourself will gradually strengthen back and core muscles. The device measures 4.8cm by 2.8cm and has a battery life of 30 hours. It pairs with a companion app (available on Apple and Android) that allows you to track your posture.

Upright Go II, $99.95 for the device, www.uprightpose.com

OneLife X

OneLife has unveiled what it promises is the world’s most efficient air purifier, built around a revolutionary plasma filter created by German scientists. Made from sustainable materials such as bamboo, the device is both silent and energy efficient, and will remove viruses and bacteria, ultra-fine dust, pollen, mold spores, dust mites and other pollutants from the air. The reusable filter can be washed by hand or placed in the dishwasher. Users can control OneLife X by voice via Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home assistant, Apple’s Siri or via an iOS or Android app. For those who prefer to keep it old school, OneLife X can be operated via a display panel, and can be set to automatic mode for ultra-quiet performance all the time or switched to sleeping mode when you go to bed.

“At OneLife, we believe people have a right to clean air, and our mission is to fight invisible contaminants in indoor spaces so people can live healthier, more productive lives,” says Christoph Burkhardt, chief executive, OneLife.

OneLife X, $500 to $700, www.onelife.eco

Panasonic EH-NA67-W

A hairdryer that’s actually good for your hair? Apparently so. Panasonic’s new EH-NA67-W uses the brand’s patented nanoe technology to draw moisture from the air, creating tiny, moisture-rich particles small enough to penetrate the hair shaft.

Almost 1,000 times more moisture-packed than the general negative ions used by most hair dryers, these particles protect hair against damage from everyday styling and brushing, while also increasing smoothness and shine. The hairdryer comes with three attachments – an oscillating quick-dry nozzle that evenly distributes heat; a concentrator nozzle that applies a more targeted airflow; and a diffuser, which helps create volume and is ideal for drying curly hair.

“Panasonic sold its very first hair dryer in the late 1930s. Throughout the following decades, Panasonic has expanded the capabilities of its hair dryers to go beyond basic hair drying by ensuring the technology also cares for beautiful, healthy hair,” says Ranjia Zhang, product manager, Panasonic Personal Care.

Panasonic EH-NA67-W (currently available in white), $149.99, www.amazon.ae