In a recent interview on BBC’s Radio 1, multifaceted actress, author, and denim aficionado Julia Fox unveiled her unusual bedtime secret: sleeping with the hairdryer on.
“I sleep with the hairdryer on,” she confessed.
Julia went on to share that this practice has been her nightly ritual since the tender age of eight or nine, attributing her preference to the comforting white noise it produces. She did acknowledge the mixed feedback she’s received on this idiosyncratic habit, as the radio show posted the interview clip with prominent red-lettered warnings cautioning against the fire hazard associated with it.
Putting potential fire risks aside, most of us have our own figurative “hairdryer” to lull us into sleep. While some individuals can effortlessly close their eyes and drift into a peaceful slumber, others rely on a specific set of routines, conditions, or mental exercises to signal to their brains that it’s time to relinquish consciousness.
Dr. Rafael Pelayo, a sleep specialist and clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University, aptly notes that “sleep is inherently a dangerous activity.” When we sleep, we let down our guard, surrendering control to the unknown possibilities of our dreams. To embrace this vulnerable state, Pelayo suggests that we must feel safe, comfortable, and loved.
So, what unique bedtime routines help individuals achieve this sense of security and serenity?