Morphée review: Will this tiny device help you sleep better?
<p dir="ltr">Sleep is a necessity so often sacrificed, and quality sleep is so hard to achieve when we need it most.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As we get older, getting enough sleep is still important, with the <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/good-nights-sleep#aging" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Institute of Ageing</a> recommending that older adults still aim to get between seven and nine hours of sleep. </p>
<p dir="ltr">However, pain, certain medications, feeling sick, stress from daily life (or <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/covid-19-insomnia-tips/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">living through a global pandemic</a>) and even conditions such as Alzheimer’s can affect the quality and quantity of sleep we get each night.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This is where sleeping aids such as the Morphée have come in.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The tiny sleep aid has quickly grown in popularity within its home country of France and 12 other countries, including Australia - which is no surprise considering how many have reported sleeping poorly during the last two years.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As one of those people who has experienced poorer sleep lately, I gave the Morphée a try to see how it stacks up.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>So many choices, so little time</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Encased in a beech wooden case (which also makes for a handy stand), the Morphée offers over 200 guided sessions to choose from and makes for an aesthetically pleasing addition to the bedside table.</p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a40494f6-7fff-6437-a826-a67979bfafdb"></span></p>
<p dir="ltr">The three brass keys allow you to choose one of the sessions from eight modes (from guided meditations to quiet music), eight different options in each mode, and whether it runs for eight or 20 minutes.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/morphee2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Matt O’Rourke</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">You can even choose to be guided by a male or female voice, and start, stop and control the volume of the session from several buttons and switches along the side of the device.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If guided meditation isn’t really your thing, the nature soundscapes and selection of music are soothing and varied enough so that you have plenty of choice. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The fact that each sound comes from a different location around the world is also a nice touch - the Swedish log fire and purring Burmese cat in a Parisian apartment were definitely my favourites.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Does it work?</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Having tried the Morphée on my own and with my partner, who also struggles to get to sleep, I can say it largely works, but that it involves a decent amount of trial and error.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We began with the nature sounds ahead of a mid-afternoon nap, and found that it helped us get to sleep more easily. My partner noted it was easier to focus on the sounds rather than attempt to drift off in silence, and that before he knew it, he was asleep.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Next, I tried the specific nap setting with the hope of re-energising with a quick power nap after work. Starting with a four-minute relaxation period, with a soothing voice helping to focus on breathing and sinking into the bed, you can choose between an eight and 20-minute silent nap session ending with nature sounds to wake you up. Initially, I found it hard to focus, but after just a few minutes I was ready to fall asleep. Since I’m a heavy sleeper that only the loudest of alarms can wake, the gentle sounds of nature failed to wake me up, and my 20 minute nap became closer to an hour-long one. With that in mind, having longer napping options and different wake-up settings to choose from might be a good addition for heavy snoozers like me. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The same night, we tried a body scan with a visualisation exercise. Unlike other body scans, which draw your attention to various areas of the body, this particular one leaned more towards breathing and visualising a mountain scene. I still found it quite relaxing and that it helped me wind down for the night, but my partner ended up feeling significantly worse than when he got into bed - an experience shared by about <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2251840-mindfulness-and-meditation-can-worsen-depression-and-anxiety/">one in 12</a> people who try mindfulness meditation and particularly by those <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/choosing-your-meditation-style/202006/trauma-informed-mindfulness" target="_blank" rel="noopener">who are trauma survivors</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">So overall, the modes I tried were successful and have left me looking forward to testing the rest, while my partner enjoyed the nature soundscapes and music, but will steer clear of the body scans and other modes with vocal guidance.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Sound quality and other notes</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Although intended for helping you drift to sleep, I found the Morphée was also quite effective as background noise during the day while working or settling in with a good book.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Though more of a nitpick than an outright con, the sound was rather tinny when I was using the Morphée’s speakers. Luckily this is only a short-lived problem while you’re falling asleep.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c82843e1-7fff-8cbc-8a61-4489f4e934f6"></span></p>
<p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, using wired headphones was a whole different situation, and was particularly immersive for the nature sounds.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/morphee1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Matt O’Rourke</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">However, the totally analog technology means that Bluetooth earphones won’t be compatible. I found this made using the Morphée slightly daunting, as I was worried I would fall asleep while listening and run the risk of being tangled up in my headphones.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Final verdict</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Retailing at $149, the Morphée initially feels like a pricey purchase. But after giving it a try, seeing how many options it offers, and its absence of bright screens, it feels like an investment that will be worth it over time, especially when it’s priced similarly to yearly subscriptions for popular apps such as Headspace and Calm.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Though it might not be a cure for sleep problems, it works as a tool to help you relax and be more mindful before bed, all while enjoying a better night’s sleep.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In summary, here are some pros and cons to consider if you’re looking to try the Morphée for yourself or gift it to someone else:</p>
<p dir="ltr">Pros</p>
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<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Portable and handy protective cover/stand</p>
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<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Beautiful and functional design</p>
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<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Plenty of sounds and modes to choose from</p>
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<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Excellent battery life, helped by the fact it turns itself off</p>
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<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Can be used for more than just sleeping</p>
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<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Sounds amazing with headphones</p>
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<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Makes for a great gift for the poor sleepers in your life </p>
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</ul>
<p dir="ltr">Cons</p>
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<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">The tiny buttons and text might be a challenge for some</p>
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<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Sound is slightly tinny</p>
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<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">A setting longer than 20 minutes would be a nice bonus</p>
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<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Difficult to fall asleep if using wired headphones</p>
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<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Not compatible with Bluetooth or wireless headphones</p>
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</ul>
<p dir="ltr">The <a href="https://www.morphee.co/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Morphée</a> is available to purchase from Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi, Amazon AU, and Temple & Webster for $149.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Unfortunately, the Morphée isn’t available in New Zealand yet, but here’s hoping that will change soon.</p>
<p dir="ltr"> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><em>Image: Supplied</em></p>
