TNC also has killer book recs, and is basically one of the best thinkers who is writing right now. I've been reading him for most of the last half decade. Even when I go on news blackouts for the sake of my sanity, I make a TNC exception.

He sees and can capture in clear language so many different connections when he studies history, and is hugely intellectually curious, which is a fantastic combination.

He is very clear-eyed about the problems we have in this country. I can't begin to think of a writer less likely to spout nationalistic slogans (unironically).

Yeah, basically this.

I generally take meds, if I'm not feeling lazy I do a several part face washing thing, and sometimes remember to pop in my bite guard. Stick my phone on the charger with the alarm set, and pull up my sheet (must have sheet), and blanket and comforter (in winter). Usually wear a tshirt or something, but the only time I put on socks is the rare occasions when I wake up in the middle of the night freezing cold. Then I'll put on socks and a hat.

I've tried sleep masks but tend to unconsciously take them off in the night (I do it with the bite guard too--I have dreams about too much chewing gum in my mouth and take it out!). Side sleeper, though occasionally if I'm having trouble Falling asleep stomach.

R.E.M. called their first album Murmur, because Peter Buck and Michael Stipe bonded over that feeling of being a child and driving home with your parents late at night and being drowsy in the back seat, with just the dim light from the dashboard and the murmur of your parents voices.

I totally associate the sound of late night how's (chatter, chatter, audience laughter, little bit of music) with that comfort of knowing your parents are stil awake and can catch any monsters or fires or bad guys before they make it to you.

How do you go to sleep?

I turn quite a lot in bed, but always counter-clockwise, thanks to the Coriolis effect.

I learned long ago going to bed before I was already falling asleep results in lying awake getting angrier and more awake. Tee shirt, underpants, and socks. Feet get lotion, and socks keep them from drying out. I play those hey-wow, woo-woo Dan Gibson Solitudes music and nature sounds--rain puts me right on the edge of sleep, or surf. A little gentle melody helps. I have a shaku hatchi and fountain splash, waterfall, and rain collection that works nicely, too. Rigid biteplate, top sheet, thermal blanket and throw in all but the hottest weathers. If it's really cold I'll throw on long sleep pants and a long-sleeved henley, maybe another throw on the bed. I sleep on my left side, left arm under the sleeping pillow--either soft or flattish queen sized pillow, my neck cricks with too much height. Left leg straight, right knee up, huggy pillow snugged in tight.

I get up an hour before my rising time to take meds, and have another hour's sleep, on my right side, the mirror to how I slept all night. I don't move around in my sleep. My top sheet and blanket are tucked in at the foot.

And if I leave my bed unmade or undressed in the morning, I have to straighten and make it before I get in it at night.

I had no idea there were people who didn't use top sheets! Sleep has become a big issue for me in the last few weeks as I'm not getting any being all heavy with child. We also co-sleep with Shane, who is a wild sleeper. We upgraded (finally) to a king recently and it's helped some.

When I'm not pregnant, I sleep on my side or back with a flat pillow and I do a bit of focused breathing to help relax my mind. Try to empty my mind of thoughts and images and really concentrate on breathing deeply.

PG, I am sleeping with a big ass body pillow on my side, getting up a couple of times to pee in the night, and generally staying awake for at least an hour when I do wake up. Sigh. Nature is cruel with the sleep thing getting so bad right before it really goes haywire dealing with a newborn.

Oh, and we sleep with white noise, which we discovered helped Shane stay asleep when he was tiny and helped block outside noise. We live on a fairly busy street and wish we had discovered white noise years ago! It makes a big difference.

Stomach/side sleeper. Duvet, no top sheet. Soft, scrunchy pillow. Can't bear any kind of weight or restrictions. Must have fully empty bladder (several trips to bathroom before I fall asleep). Prefer a cool room. Still have my teddy bear, but I don't really sleep "with" it, but he's in the bed.

Side sleeper, hugging one pillow, with another pillow between my knees and a squishy pillow over my head (not the nose and mouth,though.)

When it's super-cold, we put on flannel sheets with a top sheet and the duvet, since I must sleep with the window cracked, even in subzero weather. Winter, I sleep in a tee or men's PJ top. If I am cold and wear socks to bed, I always kick them off in the night.

In the summer, I have the AC window unit on (I CANNOT sleep hot), and use a thin top sheet. DH still sleeps with the duvet in summer, but I sleep in a tank and panties, or just panties, or nude.

My ritual used to be taking my ambien and reading, but I am going to have to develop a new bedtime ritual.

In to my 20s, I would lie down on my back and never move again until morning. Now I usually fall asleep on my side and move around some. I always wear something, but it varies on the temperature. Top sheet, definitely, because I'd rather wash my sheets more often than my duvet cover. I'm currently wondering if my mouthguard makes me sleep less well, and if the benefit of not grinding my teeth down to nubs is worth it.

I'm currently wondering if my mouthguard makes me sleep less well, and if the benefit of not grinding my teeth down to nubs is worth

I have this question also. It does make me sleep less well, though. I don't wonder about it so much.

I'm not sure if the regular grinding is worse. I slept SO WELL on vacation, and didn't have my mouthguard with me, but also was on vacation.