don't get sleep advice from the algorithm (or 21 year olds)

a pragmatic nights sleep

Feb 26, 2025

things i’m reading: suspect on sleepmaxxing

preface: i’m 8-9 hours of sleep per night’s #1 fan and yes i do things to get a better nights sleep (more on this below) but…

…sleepmaxing continues to be everywhere and - no surprise, it was telling me i’m….sleeping wrong?

i need to be mouth-taping. using blackout shades. putting in earplugs. always going to bed/waking up at the same time. limiting daytime naps…..

….i’m tired just thinking about the things i “need” to do to get those solid 8 (truly, 9 if you’re female) hours of zzz’s.

here are some of my favorite, unwarranted, sleepmaxxing headlines:

sleepmaxxing is the extreme sport of bedtime — but does it actually help you get better sleep? - betches
gracie abrams joins the growing mouth-taping movement - new beauty
from oatzempic to mouth taping: does science back up tiktok health tips? - the guardian
‘i sleep like a baby every single night’: sleepmaxxing is all over tiktok again - fast company
'sleepmaxxing' is the ultimate hack for making the most of Your nighttime snooze - bh&g

meanwhile…..elon m*sk is trying to make sleep deprivation cool again (vox).

we’re a mess in every direction. let’s reel ourselves in a little. get a little more pragmatic if we may.

things in my cart: a pragmatic nights sleep

back to my confession: i love a good nights sleep. i’m a mess without one.

here’s my perfect balance of how i “set myself up for a good nights sleep” without feeling like a cog in the consumption machine.

first and foremost, magnesium. it’s my favorite part of my nightly “routine”. i’m not going full “sleepy girl” with the tart cherry, but this is mostly because the taste of wooden spoon herbs magic magnesium - my favorite magnesium - is true to its name: magic. (i also like magna mentioned on my balletcore dive).
i won’t shut up about pajamas. we have our “outside clothes” and having a pajama set sets the tone for going to bed for me (personally, but you do you). i’m a sucker for a plaid or a print like piglet in bed’s gingham linen pajama short set (so! cute!)…
…but i also discovered petite plume’s peruvian pima cotton pajamas last year (also in men’s!) and they’re, no doubt, the softest material maybe in the entire world? i won’t be melodramatic about them changing my life, but will say they definitely raised the standard for all over pajamas.
setting yourself up for success starts with “the wind down”. my formula? a good blanket (i like this one from parachute x tyler the creator’s le fleur, but here’s my full blanket guide) and…
…a cashmere pillow. extra, i know, but so worth it. the ones i have aren’t available anymore, but these cashmere ones from jenni kayne are pretty much the same, if not better.
the cherry on top to “the wind down” formula? a book, of course. right now i’m reading nexus so to completely change gears, naturally, my next book is going to be magnolia parks.
not having an afternoon up of coffee is also key. rocky’s matcha’s essential kit has changed my afternoon (and in turn my night time) routine around for the better. i know it’s great matcha because i haven’t messed it up yet and that’s impressive.
everyone has their own sheet preferences so i’m not here to preach the power of tekla’s percale sheets, but liking your sheets/bedding makes going to sleep more…exciting? a bit bold, but you get it.
i’ve been enjoying the red light, listening to a podcast (a lot of bella freud’s fashion neurosis) and pulling myself away from a screen. i’m currently researching red lights after getting a lot of requests from you all (somebody has to do the leg work, you’re welcome) so, more on this soon post testing phase.
i light a candle whenever i want to feel a little extra sense of calm in the evening. right now, i’m rotating between my typical go-to flamingo estate’s rosemary candle and one of my other newer favorites lake & skye’s santal gray.
yes, i’m lighting it with matches tucked away in my dôen x matilda goad & co. brass swan matchbook sleeve. it brings me joy, what can i say?