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Zooey Deschanel never fails to make us smile, regardless of whether she's starring in a good TV show like New Girl or teaching us her #1 gardening hack. The actress totally deserves the best, and we're so excited that she's engaged! Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott made a joint Instagram post on August 14th confirming they're getting married after four years of dating. We can hear the bells!! Here's everything you need to know about their relationship (plus a photo of the actress' ring!), and how Zooey's iconic holiday movieElf played a role in how they met. Keep reading for the scoop.
Zooey Deschanel And Jonathan Scott's Full Relationship Timeline
Screenshot via Apple TV+/YouTube
Zooey Deschanel And Jonathan Scott Meet During Carpool Karaoke In 2019
Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott first met in 2019 when they filmed an episode of Carpool Karaoke with Jonathan's brother Drew Scott and Zooey's sister Emily Deschanel — the video includes both a rendition of "Baby It's Cold Outside" (which Zooey sings in the 2003 holiday classic Elf), and Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time" — and the couple went on their first date in an escape room.
“I am seeing someone,” Scott told Us in September 2019. “It’s definitely special for me because I am the guy who raises the bar in what I’m looking for in a partner. I was caught a little off guard. It was definitely a pleasant surprise.”
Zooey Deschanel And Jonathan Scott Become Instagram Official In 2019
Zooey and Jonathan posted the same photo of their time at Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights to their Instagram accounts. In People's October 2023 cover story, Zooey and Jonathan talk about the initial reaction to their relationship, after Zooey posted their first picture as a couple.
“I remember I looked at it and I saw the first comment right below was, ‘Why the hell is she with a Property Brother?!’" Jonathan says in the interview. "I was like, ‘Excuse me—rude!'" “Why wouldn’t I be with you?” Zooey adds. “Our personalities are so compatible. It’s just that we’re from different worlds.”
Zooey Deschanel And Jonathan Scott Make Their Red Carpet Debut
After attending Jonathan's older brother J.D.'s Halloween-themed wedding as Batman and Catwoman, Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott made their red carpet debut at the Critic's Choice Documentary Awards.
The Couple Quarantines Together In March 2020
After the world shut down in March 2020 because of COVID-19, Jonathan Scott posted photos of the couple hanging out at home.
"Don’t let our smiles fool you, we both play to win!" the post (which includes photos of Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott playing Scrabble) reads. "How are you spending your time as we all stay #hometogether? @zooeydeschanel and I have been playing games, making music, and of course doing puzzles."
HGTV/Discovery
Zooey Deschanel Appears On Jonathan Scott's "Celebrity IOU"
This special episode of Celebrity IOU features Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott surprising Zooey's BFF Sarah with a brand new home renovation. So not only was it the perfect opportunity to see Zooey and Jonathan work together, but it also allowed Zooey to give her friend a really beautiful gift!
Zooey Deschanel And Jonathan Scott Buy A Home Together In 2021
In an essay for Drew & Jonathan, Jonathan Scott talks about buying a home with the actress.
"It sat on a little over an acre, and with its lush lawn and massive California sycamores, it looked like a park. Which is why when we first brought the kids by the property they dubbed it the Park House," he says in the essay. "And you know what happens when you name something, whether it’s a mangy stray dog or a beautiful home of your dreams? You keep it."
The couple ended up revealing photos of their renovated home on Drew & Jonthan in 2022! The balance of pattern, color, and detail is really exciting, and it gives the whole home a very balanced look.
Zooey Deschanel And Jonathan Scott Get Engaged In August 2023
"Forever starts now!!! 🥰♾️🥰," they captioned the Instagram post. In the photo, Zooey's holding up her left hand to show off a beautiful purple floral engagement ring. It's unique, colorful, and drop dead gorgeous, which feels like a perfect fit for the actress and singer. Jonathan also revealed he involved Zooey's kids in the process and was a "blubbering mess" when it came time to pop the question.
Zooey's also had a big year with projects like Dreamin' Wild, What Am I Eating? and Trolls Band Together. Meanwhile Jonathan has a variety of Property Brothers home renovation shows with his brother Drew like Brother vs. Brother and Celebrity IOU. Looks like they're adding wedding planning to their to-do list!
After announcing their engagement, the couple made another joint post about a trip to Paris. If you ask us, the city of love is the perfect place to celebrate an engagement! "Amour de ma vie ❤️," they captioned the post. Zooey's bright blue jacket, plus her floral scarf and sunglasses are the perfect dopamine-inducing mix of quirky and feminine (with an extra edge from a black leather jacket).
Jonathan Scott Talks About Zooey's Kids
Property Brother star Jonathan Scott is always talking about how much he loves Zooey Deschanel's kids. Whether it be how sweet Zooey's daughter Elsie is, how much he loves vacationing together, or how much he enjoys the day to day. Jonathan talked to TODAY in 2023 about his role in co-parenting with Zooey and her ex-husband Jacob Pechenik: "You see your life transform, your priorities become your kids, and when they have a performance that they're doing at school, or working on some of their homework, or whatever it might be, it's a joy."
Jonathan Scott Teases His Wedding Date In April 2024
In honor of the "once in a lifetime" eclipse on April 8, 2024, Jonathan Scott posted a hilarious video teasing when and where he's marrying Zooey Deschanel with a bunch of cue cards (you know, Love, Actually style). “As the full eclipse is a ‘once in a lifetime’ moment, I wanted to take this opportunity to give you some ‘once in a lifetime’ news," the cards read. “I’ve decided to share when and where Zooey & I are getting married."
But right when he's about to show the date and time, the "eclipse" causes a shadow to fall over both Jonathan and the cue cards. He finished the video with a wink and a card that reads, “Which I know you’ll agree is perfect.”
Jonathan Scott Is Embracing Dad Duties In October 2024
Jonathan Scott is officially stepping into his dad role because he just did the cutest thing ever for Zooey Deschanel's daughter! With Halloween being two weeks away, he decided to get in the spirit by building a haunted house for her (via PEOPLE). He told the crowd at the Inc. 5000 45th Annual Conference & Gala, "We have 450 people coming over and I'm not joking. I built a full haunted house. Our daughter this year was like, she wants a real scary Halloween haunted house."
Sharing his excitement about the project, Jonathan said she was speaking his "love language" and spent time going all out for her. There's "all these animatronics," plus there's also a "bouncy and dance floor with a DJ!"
I just hope we get a glimpse of the haunted house because it sounds like fun!
Congratulations to the happy couple! We wish Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott the best. Check out our email newsletter for more wedding content.
This post has been updated.
Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper have been pretty private about their relationship, but the two have been out and about more frequently as of late.
The pair has been linked since October 2023, with plenty of dinner dates, city strolls, and weekend getaways under their belts since. They were reportedlyintroduced to each other by Bradley’s ex-girlfriend (and the mother of his daughter), Irina Shayk, who has mutual friends in the acting and modeling industries.
However they met, Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper are a couple we’ve come to really love. Read on for a full timeline of their relationship!
Who is Gigi Hadid?
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Gigi Hadid is an American model from Los Angeles, California. She is 28 years old, and has been modeling since she was two. Since then, she’s walked countless runways for designers like Tom Ford, Jean Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Miu Miu, and many more. She’s been featured numerous times on US-based and international magazine covers and continues to represent Maybelline as a spokesmodel. Gigi is Bella Hadid’s sister, who is also an esteemed model. Gigi also has her own fashion line called Guest in Residence, which launched in 2022.
Gigi has most notably dated Cody Simpson, Joe Jonas, and Zayn Malik. She began dating Zayn in 2015, and the couple were on-again, off-again for quite some time until they announced their pregnancy with daughter Khai in April 2020. They officially split after the relationship between Zayn and Gigi’s mother, Yolanda, turned tense and came to a head. TMZ had claimed Zayn had grown angry with her and things had gotten out of hand. Zayn then entered a no-contest plea to multiple charges of harassment against Yolanda.
Still, Zayn and Gigi are set on co-parenting Khai the best they can.
"Since I've had my daughter and since she was born, the main thing in my mind is trying to be a good example to her in terms of, I can do things and I can achieve things and I can overcome things and you can do this, too," he told People in July 2023.
Gigi has also previously been linked to actor Leonardo DiCaprio, but according to People, things were never serious between the two, and they fizzled out around February 2023.
Who is Bradley Cooper?
John Phillips/Getty Images
Bradley Cooper is an award-winning American actor, producer, screenwriter, and director from Pennsylvania. He is 49 years old. Bradley made his acting debut in 1999 with a guest role in Sex and the City, and has since starred in films like The Hangover, The Place Beyond the Pines, Silver Linings Playbook, A Star is Born, and Maestro.
Bradley has won one BAFTA, one SAG Award, and two Grammys for his work in the film industry.
Bradley was briefly married to actress Jennifer Esposito in 2006 before they divorced in 2007. He’s most notably dated Renée Zellweger, Zoe Saldaña, and Suki Waterhouse. Bradley also dated Russian model Irina Shayk from 2015 to 2019, and they share a daughter, Lea de Seine (born 2017), together.
Bradley is known to engage in philanthropy (most notably with The One Family Foundation focused on cancer), but has also used his platform to raise awareness around Alzheimer’s disease, climate change, and politics. He is very close with his family and has fully recovered from substance addiction and alcoholism.
What's Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper's age difference?
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Gigi Hadid is 28, and Bradley Cooper is 49, so their age difference is 21 years.
Is Bradley Cooper with Gigi Hadid?
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Though the pair hasn’t officially launched their relationship, it appears that Bradley Cooper is with Gigi Hadid. After months of dates, vacations, dinner parties, and recent counts of PDA, it’s likely that they’re going steady. Read on for a full relationship timeline for Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper!
The Full Relationship Timeline: Gigi Hadid And Bradley Cooper
Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Daily Front Row
October 2023
Gigi and Bradley’s first public sighting was on October 5, 2023 over a casual dinner date at Via Carota in New York City. Daily Mail had captured photos of the pair hopping into the same car post-dinner. Their first date came about 8 months after Gigi had ended things with Leonardo DiCaprio.
The two were spotted together again the following weekend on October 8 – they were traveling back to NYC via Jeep after what seemed like a private weekend getaway (thatreportedly took place at Taylor Swift’s mansion in Rhode Island).
At this point, neither Gigi nor Bradley had publicly addressed their relationship.
Kristy Sparow/Getty Images
November 2023
Gigi and Bradley were seen together more frequently in November 2023. Theyattended an Off Broadway play, and were even seen leaving NYC club Zero Bond together after Gigi had a girl’s night out with Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Cara Delevingne, Brittany Mahomes, and Sophie Turner!
Later that month, Bradley was seenwalking the city streets repping a stripedcashmere sweater from Gigi’s very own clothing line, Guest in Residence. We love to see the support!
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Irina Shayk and Bradley Cooper at the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards 2019
December 2023
In December, Bradley co-opened Danny & Coop’s, a Philly cheesesteak food truck serving NYC. Gigi sweetly stopped by during his first shift promoting the biz to pick up some food!
Bradley’s ex-wife, Irina Shayk, also popped by the truck at a separate time, with their 6 year-old daughter, Lea de Seine, in tow. Bradley and Irina separated in June 2019.
According to a source that spoke with Entertainment Tonight, there was zero hostility coming from Gigi and Bradley’s respective exes – Zayn Malik and Irina Shayk – regarding their budding relationship.
"Gigi, Bradley, Irina, and Zayn are all in a place where they want each person to be happy and healthy,” the source said, “Zayn's priority is to have a good co-parenting relationship with Gigi."
Gigi shares 3 year-old daughter, Khai, with Zayn. The couple separated in October 2021.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for People.com
Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik at the 2016 Met Gala
January 2024
Gigi and Bradley embarked on another dinner date alongside Bradley's mother after the81st Golden Globes in Los Angeles. The three of them reportedlygrabbed a celebratory dinner at Giorgio Baldi.
Later in January, the couple seemed to confirm their then-vague romance with a trip to London. The pair was spotted holding hands – their first documented case of PDA, according toPage Six – as they strolled the streets together.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
February 2024
Gigi and Bradley returned to NYC after their London trip, appearing much more comfortable being together in public. They were spotted walking hand-in-hand around the city, going on abrunch date, and stopping by Gigi’s Guest in Residence retail store.
Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
March 2024
Gigi and Bradley attended Queer Eye star Antoni Porowski’s birthday dinner at Via Carota in NYC (of which Bradley is a “regular”), with plenty of PDA to boot!
According to Daily Mail, the pair was spotted in good spirits, laughing and kissing all evening long.
The pair was also spotted attending the March 23 performance of Broadway's Sweeney Todd in NYC, E Newsreports. Before leaving hand-in-hand, they snapped a pic with cast member Joanna Carpenter, which she posted on her Instagram story.
Although Gigi and Bradley have yet to comment on their relationship, one source told People that the pair is just “having fun” with it, but going strong because of their shared love and dedication to parenting.
“[They have] things in common so it’s possible to see it progress," the source said. “It appears super casual now, but they both have kids, big careers, busy lives and understand what life is like in these circles. It’s cute… and there is an attraction."
Travis Kelce, Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper are in the audience for Paris Night 4 (and 87th show of The Eras Tour)#ParisTStheErasTour via @9tay8tay9_pic.twitter.com/xUrBgzOsEE
— Taylor Swift Updates (@SwiftNYC) May 12, 2024
May 2024
Gigi and Bradley enjoyed a fun date night at no other than the Eras tour in Paris! The pair was spotted in a private box alongside Travis Kelce – we love a supportive squad!
Gigi and Bradley watched Taylor perform an all-new setlist at the show, which includes tunes from The Tortured Poets Department.
Mike Coppola /Getty Images for Victoria's Secret
October 2024
Gigi Hadid walked in the 2024 Victoria's Secret fashion show among Bradley Cooper's ex, Irina Shayk, though there was no bad blood of any sort, since both Cooper and Shayk have been happily co-parenting their daughter for years.
Bradley didn't attend the fashion show, instead choosing to watch from home because he was “on dad duty.”
Bradley and Gigi reunited in New York City not long after the event, both of them stepping out in casual outfits for a wholesome hang.
Come back here for updates on Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper's relationship!
This post has been updated.
The only thing I want to do with Halloween right around the corner, doesn't involve trick-or-treating, haunted houses, or going to parties. It involves me, a bag of popcorn, a movie, my couch, and a deliciously cozy loungewear set that I can keep on all day. Truly the picture-perfect evening, IMO!
Since I've become a couch potato, loungewear sets appear to be my specialty — and I've accumulated a lot as of late. They're just the best for laying around your house, doing chores, working from home, or even running errands! Here are all my favorite loungewear sets to shop right now, so you can also be a comfy, CUTE couch potato this fall!
Amazon
MEROKEETY Women's 2 Piece Lounge Sets
Starting off with the stitched Amazon fave that you'll be obsessed with — I know I am! This would look absolutely adorable paired with some comfy Ugg slippers or Birkenstock clogs! That way, you can be comfy while you run your errands like popping in to Trader Joe's for some pumpkin snacks or going to Target for the most perfect autumnal candle.
Target
Auden Cozy Rib Pullover
Target is my happy place during the fall (and always — let's be real). I look forward to every October where I can grab my PSL from Starbucks,and browse the aisles for endless autumnal home decor that I surely don't need, but will definitely buy anyway. This set from Target is just another perfect example of that. It screams ultimate coziness, and its the perfect neutral shade of brown that I love in fall.
Amazon
Gap Cash-Soft Sweater
Gap has just been absolutely killing it lately — and this loungewear set is no different! It's made out of a cashmere-like material called "cash-soft" that Gap uses, and I'm not joking when I say this stuff is heavenly. It's truly so luxurious, and makes you feel like you're wrapped up in a blanket all day. Who doesn't love that? Plus, it's in one of our trending colors for fall!
Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch Sunday Sweatsuit
There hasn't been a single piece from Abercrombie lately that I haven't added to my cart...everything they're doing is just so good. This chic loungewear set will give you the ideal elevated and sporty streetwear look that would be amazing styled with some trending sneakers and a slouchy tote bag!
Target
Auden Cozy Sweater Set
A good short, sweater set is one of my favorite types of loungewear — it lets me get cozy without feeling too hot if I decide to leave the heater on. This one is perfect for me as a California gal, because it never gets too cold here in the fall! Can't you just picture this one with some tall socks, Uggs, reading glasses, and a book or a scary movie? I want it now!
Amazon
PRETTYGARDEN Women's 2 Piece Outfits
Another Amazon set, because they're just so convenient, cute, and affordable! This one has the stitch detailing again that I just love so much. It really makes the set look more elevated and high-end. It will have everyone saying, "It's from Amazon?! No way!" Pair with some chunky sneakers and a messy bun!
Nordstrom
Dippin Daisys Polka Dot Short Set
Do NOT try to tell me polka dots are just for the summer, because you're wrong! Wrong I say! Brown polka dots are especially perfect because they're just so darn cute and autumnal. I love this set for just gallivanting around the house, maybe working from home, or making some yummy pumpkin-themed treats. Too cute!
Reformation
Reformation Kiera Wide Leg Sweat Suit
What better loungewear set for the month of October than this super cute burnt orange option? It's the perfect set to get you in the mood for spooky season, while looking positively adorable. I love the simplistic styling of this one with flats and maybe a sweater thrown over the shoulder for another cozy addition.
Nordstrom
LIVD Plus Size 3-Piece Set
We love extensive sizing, and this one offers so many additional sizing options. This plus size set is one of my favorites because of all the pieces it comes with. The set includes pants, a crop top, and a long duster cardigan! We love the sound of that! Make sure to grab this one in the amazing dark blue color.
DONNI
DONNI Pointelle Knit Set
DONNI is one of my favorite new brands that's come out in the past couple of years, not only because of how high quality their pieces are, but also how timeless they are. This pointelle knit set only further proves that point! I love how it can be worn casually, but also dressed up for a sweet, brunch look. Absolutely adore this set!
Nordstrom
Free People Malibu Sweater Set
If your style leans more on the bohemian side à la Vanessa Hudgens, then we have the perfect set for you! Look no further than this set from Free People. It will give you that bohemian chic look but with a cozy twist of course. BRB adding this one to my cart for fall immediately!
Abercrombie & Fitch
Lace and Pointelle Matching Set
Every gal needs a cozy set that makes her feel sexy and cute, and this one will definitely do that for you! It's made of pointelle which is so cute and comfy, but also has a bit of a sexy touch with the lace. You can grab this set for less than $100 at Abercrombie & Fitch!
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If you've been struggling to get enough sleep, new TikTok viral wellness trend — 'sleepmaxxing' — wants to help. We'd give anything to stop dealing with insomnia, middle-of-the-night wakeup calls, and overall sleep anxiety. But does this trend work? And more importantly, are all these social media tips safe for you to try?
Dr. Ankur Bindal, MD, MPH, FAPA, FAASM can tell you better than we can given his board certification in psychiatry, from American Board of Psychiatry & neurology. In addition to being the founder of the KAB Medical Group Inc. in San Diego, he's also a board certified sleep medicine practitioner who's seen firsthand how a lack of rest can affect our overall wellbeing.
TL;DR
- Sleepmaxxing is a TikTok trend that's focused on setting yourself up for the best night of sleep possible.
- While sleep masks and other tangible efforts to get comfortable in bed are great, you mainly want to make sure you're making healthy choices before bed like avoiding your phone.
- Adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
- Eliminate too much light in your bedroom, avoid screen time, and establish consistent sleeping and waking times.
What is sleepmaxxing?
If you're confused about sleepmaxxing, you're not alone — it's really not a straightforward term. It reminds us of what Will Ferrell said in Blades of Glory: "No one knows what it means but it's provocative...gets the people going." However, it actually has a meaning, and Dr. Bindal succinctly breaks it down. "Sleepmaxxing is the art and science of optimizing one's sleep and achieving the best possible quality & quantity of sleep by addressing every factor that can disrupt sleep," he says. This can look like using ear plugs, sleep masks, establishing specific sleep rituals, or anything else that is soothing and helpful.
Mainly, if you actually want to maximize your sleep, then you need to focus on what you do before you go to bed. Unbeknownst to us at times, our bedtime habits can affect the kind of rest we get (or not) at night. Dr. Bindal says, "Optimal Sleep hygiene methodologies including limiting light and sound exposure to using the latest sleep gadgets so sleepmaxxing aims to enhance sleep quality to the fullest." Unfortunately this means our habit of binge watching shows or scrolling mindlessly on TikTok at night aren't helping us.
I mean, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 35% of those surveyed have their sleep interrupted by lights inside of their homes. That's just lights, sans repetitious social media sounds and compelling television plots. When you add those on top of it all...let's just say we really are not doing ourselves any favors.
How does getting the proper amount of rest aid in our overall wellbeing?
Now that you have a better idea of what sleepmaxxing is, we have to talk about why it matters. Dr. Bindal says getting the "proper amount of sleep" helps support" the following "various bodily functions" including, but not limited to:
- Brain health — Enhanced cognition in domains of learning, concentration and consolidating memory by promoting phenomenon of hippocampal plasticity
- Immune system function — A production of essential immune cells, better equipped to fighting off infections
- Hormone regulation — A regulation of mood and reduced stress and physical repair that promotes muscle recovery, tissue repair, and overall physical development
He further explains that hormone regulation eventually leads to "improved mood, concentration, energy levels, and reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes."
Basically, the health benefits of slowing down and going to sleep outweigh what society often pushes — staying up later, longer and hustling at all hours of the day and night.
On average, how many hours of sleep are recommended?
How much rest are you truly getting at night? If you ask America's Health Rankings, 35% of adults are getting less than seven hours of sleep. Dr. Bindal says that while adults should sleep between seven and nine hours every night, and there are health risks for those who don't. "Research corroborates that adults who sleep less than seven hours a night may have more health issues than those who do," he explains. Johns Hopkins Medicinefound that sleep deprivation can lead to a "36% increased risk for colorectal cancer," propensity for developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and an overall lower immune system.
Saying "I'll sleep when I'm dead," may sound like a joke, but there's nothing funny about not letting your body get the rest it needs to function.
Should people with sleep difficulties try sleepmaxxing?
There are several reasons why your sleep could be negatively impacted right now. You may be dealing with insomnia due to stress, depression, or being a new parent. According to the American Psychological Association, 43% of people believe being stressed contributes to their lack of sleep. Furthermore, these same people have noticed their mood has shifted. The same reports shows that 45% of people who are getting less than the recommended hours of sleep have shared they feel on edge more than others while 52% have noticed they've been taking their frustrations out on those in their household.
Dr. Bindal agrees that sleepmaxxing can greatly benefit you if you're struggling because it can "enhance sleep quality to the fullest and emphasizes the importance of optimal sleep health."
How does sleepmaxxing benefit us?
Clearly, you need a certain amount of sleep to function properly and achieve all those goals you've so intentionally set recently (hello, October Theory!). That's where sleepmaxxing can come in. Dr. Bindal says, "Improved sleep quality can lead to enhanced mental clarity and emotional stability, making it easier to navigate daily challenges."
If you're planning to change a few habits, you're going to need all the strength and focus you can access because change isn't always easy — even if you welcome it! So when you're implementing these new nighttime routines, be sure to stick to them. Turn your phone on Do Not Disturb, avoid the itch to scroll socials, and make sure you're able to properly relax. It can make all the difference in the world!
How can we incorporate sleepmaxxing in our bedtime routines?
If you don't know how to make sleepmaxxing work for you, Dr. Bindal has great suggestions! "Key techniques include optimizing your sleep environment, establishing a consistent sleep schedule, and managing stress and anxiety," he suggests.
One of the key ways you can make sure your room will promote a good night's sleep is by "adjusting the temperature" or "practicing a relaxation exercises before bed," he says. While meditation and mindfulness may be relaxation exercises that take practice over time, choosing the correct temperature is an easy way to set yourself up for success. Everyone's different, but he truly believes your room should be between 65 and 69 degrees Fahrenheit, too.
As Dr. Bindal mentioned before, eliminating sources of light can also aid in the rest you get. Personally, I can't sleep with the TV or lights on anymore because I just know it interrupts my sleep. My room is usually pitch black when it's time to go to sleep — to the point my three-year-old knows what it means when I turn everything off.
Besides these things, Dr. Bindal encourages you to maintain "consistent sleep and wake times" along with a "balanced diet and regular physical activity." Whether that means you start making your own Cava bowls inspired by the blue zone diet or doing workouts at home, they can aid in helping your body repair itself which then promotes the sleep you need.
Can we become too hyper-focused on our quality of sleep?
As with anything, too much of something can have adverse affects which rules out any benefits. Though sleepmaxxing can be a good thing for you, becoming fixated on it is likely going to make you even more stressed. "One of the primary concerns with sleepmaxxing is the development of orthosomnia, a condition caused by an obsession with tracking sleep metrics, with devices or apps, which increases anxiety and can further disrupt sleep, called paradoxical insomnia," Dr. Bindal warns.
If you become too obsessed with tracking every little thing, he says all this will do is "disrupt sleep cycles and limit the efficacy of insomnia treatments." But, he has an idea of what you can do to lessen the chance that'll happen. "Instead of over-analyzing how much sleep you’re getting, it’s important to understand that insomnia is a common and treatable condition, by incorporating healthy sleep hygiene routines organically and focusing on addressing the root causes of insomnia symptoms," he shares.
How can we optimize our sleep without getting sucked into wellness trends?
Whether you want to call it sleepmaxxing or not, all you have to do is normalize the tips Dr. Bindal mentioned above. "Some of the ways can include established a consistent sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, managing light exposure, and limiting screen time before you want to go to sleep," he reiterates. Social media isn't going anywhere so don't let your FOMO convince you that potential scandals or tutorials are more important than getting seven to nine hours of sleep.
Also, don't forget to "maintain a comfortable sleep environment" while being aware of your "caffeine and alcohol intake throughout the day," Dr. Bindal points out. Something tells us that we're going to have to be intentional about breaking up with our daily coffee runs and desires to unwind with a nice glass of wine. But if it means we'll sleep better, we'll add that to our list of habits to change!
Need an extra dose of positivity in your life? We have even more lifestyle tips to share to help you end the year on a healthy and wholesome note!