Confession: I fall asleep every night with my tablet keeping me company. It's a habit that cemented itself in my nightly routine during the pandemic, and I'm never going back.
Sure, research says that falling asleep with a tv or tablet on isn't proper sleep hygiene. But I say, I've never felt better. Falling asleep while streaming helps me turn off my busy brain (no replaying awkward encounters from the day before) and puts me in full relaxation mode. Scientists be damned, I'll be falling asleep basking in the warm glow of my iPad for the foreseeable future.
That being said, I can't fall asleep to just anything. There may be some folks who can cozy up and drift off to the sweet sounds of Samuel L. Jackson's Ezekiel monologue playing in the background, but I am not one of them. I stick to the five categories below. Follow me.
Nature Documentaries
Muted animal sounds and calming narration make this a great option for the nighttime routine. Had a rough day? Stream Netflix's Night on Earth and get comfortable. You'll be snoozing in no time.
Old School Rom Coms
First of all, you have a ton of options. Think Something's Gotta Give, You've Got Mail, Never Been Kissed, Sleepless in Seattle, Notting Hill; the list goes on. It's always a good idea to pick something you've seen before, so you won't be tempted to stay awake to catch the ending. But I find the nostalgia to be very relaxing. Just the other day I fell asleep to Just Like Heaven, a movie about Mark Ruffalo falling in love with a ghost Reese Witherspoon. Lol, the early 00's were some really crazy times.
The Slow Burn Drama
Don't get me wrong, I love a slow burn. This is no shade to the shows that fall in this category. I just also happen to find them rather soothing. A warm shower and an episode of The Crown? Goodnight and good luck!
The Food Tourist
I love cooking shows. Chopped sustained me through countless late night breastfeeding sessions for both of my kids. But any cooking show with timed competitions is not good for falling asleep. The last thing you need to hear when approaching your REM cycle is "hand's up, utensils down!"
That's where food tourism comes in. Think more Anthony Bourdain, less Guy Fieri. Somebody Feed Phil is a great option, as is one of my favorites, Chef's Table. The music is soothing, the food is beautiful, and the interviews are relaxed. No shade to Guy Fieri, by the way. I prefer my visits to Flavortown to happen while the sun is out.
Your Absolute Favorite Whatever
We all have our absolute favorite movie, TV show, YouTube video, etc., that we know backwards and forwards. Mine is Coming To America. In high school, I used to pop in the VHS the night before any big soccer game or track meet. The movie is such a comfort to me, it's a breeze to fall asleep to at any time.
Sweet dreams!