From Cleopatra's Headrest to Modern Sleep Hacks
Remember those college days fueled by instant noodles and 3-hour sleep cycles? Yeah, me too. But as my body (and social calendar) have matured, I've realized the truth: sleep is the ultimate power nap, not a luxury. As the years passed, I've recognized the true importance and positive benefits of a good night's sleep — not just for physical recovery but for the well-being of the mind and emotions.
Lately, my sleep patterns have been as erratic as a rollercoaster.
I find myself wide awake in the wee hours of the morning, perhaps in part due to jet lag from recent travels abroad [let me tell you, TikTok can take you on a wild ride of conspiracies when you're up at 1:00 AM or 2:30 AM] 😨
Enter the wisdom of sleep experts, like Michael Breus, PhD, aka "The Sleep Doctor," whom I once had the good fortune of interviewing at a wellness conference in Boston. His non-negotiable sleep hygiene habits range from setting an electronics curfew, avoiding blue light, incorporating breathing exercises, to indulging in a hot shower. But, let's face it — stress, body changes, hormonal imbalances, blood sugar — these culprits are as elusive as sleep itself.
Ever wondered how the Ancient Egyptians approached their nightly routine? Picture this: they would sleep on their side, with their cheek resting in a padded cup of a headrest.
Sleep, for them, was a daily death, dreams were nightly journeys through the otherworld, and waking up was a rebirth into a new day.
I'm no time-traveling Egyptian, but as a self-professed biohacking enthusiast, I've embarked on a quest to unravel the mysteries of sleep. From fitness wearables like Whoop to creating a soothing ambiance with lit candles and incense, I've tried it all. Meditation, yoga, feng shui, essential oils, nootropics, night masks, mouth taping – you name it. As a journalist covering the wellness space, I've been fortunate to receive a range of cutting-edge devices for exploration. Among these are a neurofeedback device, Mendi, Pulsetto's vagus nerve stimulator, and my most recent acquisition, the FRENZ Brainband device, offering personalized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) audio sessions.
Even if I haven't been getting as much sleep as I'd like recently, I've come to cherish it as a daily ritual. But what about you? What are your biggest slumber struggles? Share your own sleep hacks in the comments below, or tell me if you've ever biohacked your way to dreamland.
Remember, sweet dreams aren't just a distant longing — they're just a few hacks (and maybe a fancy headrest) away. 😴
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