What do a world-class DJ, a flatland BMX legend, and a pioneering chef all have in common? It is this: They achieved success, pushing through tough moments to excel at what they love, by embracing the importance of sleep and making it a priority in their lives.
Flatland BMX pro Terry Adams says his comeback last year at age 38 — leveling up tricks that already required a ton of skill and bike control — would not have been possible without his commitment to sleep. He fiercely believes that good sleep is essential for peak performance and cites discovering his most comfortable sleep position as his number one sleep tip.
Andrea Drummer, executive chef and co-owner of The Original Cannabis Café in West Hollywood, whose workday often begins at 7 a.m. and runs until midnight, says she had to figure out how to prioritize sleep to be at her best and feel great.
“That self-care shows up in the food, so your guests are well-fed, they come back, and you keep making money!” she says. Self-care, according to Drummer’s number one tip, also means avoiding your phone and computer when it’s time for bed, even if it means moving them to another room.
And superstar DJ and music producer TOKiMONSTA, whose globe-trotting schedule includes lots of late-night concerts and early morning flights, says that taking sleep seriously has had a major effect (a good one) on her mood, her happiness, and her music.
This is … music to the ears of sleep specialists Dr. Chris Winter and Dr. Jade Wu, who both believe that to be your best you have to sleep your best. It’s what inspired them to make helping people sleep better their life’s work — and that includes serving as expert advisors to The Sleep Team. As part of this “dream team” of advisors and guides, they want to help YOU, unjunk your sleep!
Even sleep advisors have the occasional restless nights
Which makes Winter and Wu’s advice even more valuable to know. What helps the specialists could really turn your night around. In fact, Winter’s number one sleep tip is particularly helpful during times of high anxiety. “Have a plan in place for when nights don’t go as expected,” he says.
“Everyone’s sleep goes sideways from time to time,” Winter reassures us. “Have a great book that you want to read next to your bed, or a crossword puzzle that can occupy your time until you feel drowsy, or a meditation that’s ready to go.”
Our Sleep Guides, each of whom has experienced the personal and professional benefits from their own unique sleep journey, also have some wisdom to share.
“Listen to your body if it tells you it’s tired,” TOKiMONSTA says, of her number one sleep tip. “Take those naps when you have spare time, and make sure they count. Turn off all distractions around you. Even if it’s 10 or 20 minutes, your body will thank you later.”
Science backs her up, showing that a “power nap” of 20 minutes or less can provide a variety of cognitive benefits including improved alertness and performance, and leave you feeling refreshed when you hit that midday wall. It’s also a tip Wu — who considers naps, (along with walking, eating, and painting), among her favorite activities — can get behind. Although that’s not her first tip.
“My number one sleep tip is actually something you can do during the day and that's to practice mindfulness,” says Wu. One simple trick is the 5-4-3-2-1 technique where you use your five sense to help ground and relax yourself into the present.
Last but not least, if you’re reading this or watching this video at night in hopes for a magical cure, play the video back again. There’s one tip that doubles down on the adage "listen to your body", which Sleep Expert Drew explains in super relatable terms.
