Sleep Archives

Tech that makes long flights not feel like a prison sentence

Boeing

When I was a kid, my kindergarten teacher called my mom and said, “We think Kim might have a problem. She’s convinced she went to Paris last weekend.” My mom laughed and said, “Oh no, we did go to Paris.”

See, my dad worked for United Airlines, so I grew up in the air. Flying standby, getting bumped off flights, running through terminals like other kids ran through playgrounds. So yeah, I’ve been flying my whole life, and I’ve seen how much it’s changed.

If you’ve ever sat on a 12-hour flight and thought, “How in the world do these giant birds even stay in the sky?” you’re not alone. And if you’ve staggered off a plane feeling like a dried-up raisin with jet lag that lasted for days, you’ll love what I’m about to tell you.

💺 Flying has quietly become way better

Jets like the Boeing Dreamliner (787) and Airbus A350 are game changers. They’re built with super light carbon composites instead of heavy metal, meaning they burn less fuel and fly more efficiently.

Here’s the part you’ll actually notice: The air is more humid, the pressure is more natural, and the oxygen level is higher. Translation? You don’t land feeling like you’ve been vacuum-sealed in a giant Pringles can.

And the engines? They’re quieter now. Those carbon-fiber fan blades hum along without rattling your brain, so you might actually get some sleep.

📶 Yes, the Wi-Fi finally works

Not perfect everywhere, but on these new planes, it’s a huge step up. You can stream shows, send emails, even browse without waiting a million years for a page to load.

Add in larger windows that dim electronically (no more slamming that plastic shade) and wings that flex midair to smooth out turbulence, it’s like the plane is working with the sky, not against it.

Next time you’re choosing a flight, look at the plane model. If it’s a Dreamliner or an A350, book it. Even if it costs a little more, your body, your sleep and your sanity will thank you when you land.

✈️ I recently wrote a sitcom about airplanes. It never took off. The pilot was terrible. (lol)

💅 Your ‘feel-good’ tool kit

Here are your shortcuts to looking alive again (you’re welcome).

🪞 Magic mirror on the go: Travel makeup mirror ($10, 38% off)

Your makeup’s only as good as your lighting. That’s why I love a portable, rechargeable LED vanity mirror. Perfect for dingy hotel rooms or when you’re rushing before a Zoom call.

😌 Drop the dullness: TruSkin’s Vitamin C serum ($39, 20% off) handles dark spots and fine lines. You’ll look like you actually got eight hours of sleep.

Feeling congested? Grab a pack of Beekeeper’s Naturals nasal spray ($18, 30% off). Propolis, saline and xylitol tag-team to clear your head.

💦 Floss like a boss: Dentists swear by Operan’s water flosser ($23, 19% off). Four nozzles and modes blast away gunk, even on your tongue.

Porcelain throne upgrade: Once you hook up a bidet attachment ($53, 45% off), you’ll wonder how you ever cleaned up without a warm, self-cleaning wash.

🛍️ Because you deserve it: Treat yourself (without emptying your wallet) and browse today’s top steals, all four stars and up.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

ChatGPT pulls an all-nighter: OpenAI just dropped Pulse, a new Pro-only feature that works while you sleep. It reads your chats, data and random wishes (like my Antarctica trip), then hands you a personalized morning briefing. I’m going to try it and report back.

11:37 p.m.

The average bedtime for American adults. We’re clocking six hours and 40 minutes of sleep a night, well below the recommended seven to nine. People who stick to the same bedtime get 40 extra minutes of rest and spend 36% less time tossing and turning. TikTok will still be there tomorrow. Promise.

Turn off sleep mode in Windows 11: Go to Settings > System > Power > Screen, sleep & hibernation timeouts. Set Turn my screen off after, Make my device sleep after and Make my device hibernate after all to Never. But if you’re on a laptop, this will drain the battery when it’s not charging.

Upgrade your daily glow-up

💦 My pick: Cordless water flosser (54% off)

Flossing is a chore … this makes it fun. Compact, cordless and travel-ready, it won’t hog your countertop space.

🧼 Silicone body scrubber (42% off): Bacteria love loofahs. Swap yours for soft bristles that gently exfoliate and last way longer.

☁️ Cotton hand towels (36% off, six-pack): So fluffy and soft, you’ll swear you’re staying at a fancy hotel.

💚 Face roller & Gua Sha (20% off): Roll away puffiness and redness, and look like you actually got eight hours of sleep.

🪮 Detangler hairbrush (20% off): Stop ripping your hair out. Glide through knots, wet or dry, curly or straight.

✨ Little luxuries, big difference: From self-care staples to gift-worthy finds, my Amazon shop has plenty more goodies waiting.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

🛏️ Fake sleep science: Turns out sleep trackers are only 65% accurate at guessing your sleep stages. They’re basically playing a slightly smarter version of “Are You Asleep Yet?” based on your wrist twitches. Helpful? Maybe. Lab-grade reliable? Not even close. Still, 1 in 3 adults say they aren’t getting enough sleep, which explains why we keep buying the devices.

📱 Apple’s skinny era: First, no foldables. Apple dropped the iPhone 17 lineup, headlined by the ultra-thin iPhone Air (5.6mm, titanium, 48MP camera). AirPods Pro 3 now translate languages in real time and, get this, track your heart rate mid-squat. New Watches got blood pressure and even sleep apnea detection. Preorders open, shipping Sept. 19.

17 inches

That’s the neck size where men’s health risks spike. For the ladies, it’s 14 inches. A thicker neck isn’t just a linebacker flex, it’s a red flag for heart disease, diabetes and sleep apnea. Turns out your shirt collar might be better at predicting your future hospital visits than your bathroom scale.

🌙 Sleep deeper, wake brighter: NativePath Collagen nourishes your skin, strengthens joints and restores vitality while you rest. Today, receive a bonus supply of Collagen PM, get 45% off, free shipping and a bonus frother. Transform your nights and your mornings, starting now!

Labor Day sales on getaway gear

⚡ My pick: International power adapter (20% off)

Your passport to charging. Juices up to five gadgets at once in 150+ countries. One less thing to stress about at the gate.

😴 Memory foam neck pillow (20% off): Long flight? Sleep like you’re in first class. Comes with an eye mask, earplugs and a handy bag.

🧳 Hanging toiletry bag (33% off): Bye-bye, messy counters. Zips up and can hang on towel racks, doorknobs or hooks like a mini shelf.

🧼 Antibacterial soap sheets (17% off): Pocket-size and TSA-friendly. These are perfect for camping or those icky highway rest stops.

🌬️ Vacuum storage bags (44% off, 16-pack): Overpackers, I got you. There’s even a hand pump included for your trip home. Neat.

✈️ Before you take off: Travel smart, not heavier. See the full list of Labor Day travel steals on my Amazon storefront.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Set a sleep timer on your TV, so it powers off if you nod off. Look under Settings > Timers or General. I keep mine at 120 minutes.

💡 Pick the right light: Shopping for bulbs? Avoid LEDs over 5000K. Those bluish “cool white” ones can feel sterile and trick your brain into thinking it’s daytime, making it harder to sleep. Instead, go for “warm white” bulbs between 2700K and 3000K. They’re easier on the eyes and make your home feel cozier.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Happy ‘National Relaxation Day’

😌 Rest assured, it’s a real thing … and the perfect excuse to treat yourself.

🧘‍♀️ Instant zen: An essential oil diffuser (46% off) brings the spa home. Such a great gift idea!
💪 Knot today, tension: This massage gun (35% off) has 4.5 stars and 34,000+ reviews for a reason.
🧊 Chill out: Memory foam pillows (27% off, two-pack) with cooling gel mean no pillow flipping at 2 a.m.
🔥 One-wrap wonder: Hot or cold, this therapy wrap (20% off) will soothe your hurt foot, elbow or wrist.
💋 Kiss dryness goodbye: Grace & stella’s lip mask (41% off) hydrates and repairs while you sleep.

💝 Because you deserve it: Why stop here? Click through to my Amazon page for more cozy comforts and gift-worthy gems.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

11:18 p.m.

That’s when the average American actually falls asleep. Bedtime may start at 10:36 on average, but your brain’s running a late-night talk show until nearly midnight. Toss in some regret, a side of scrolling, the kids starting school again, and voilà, sleep debt before sunrise.

Sleep surveillance: Is your Fitbit saying you’re waking up at night more than usual? It’s not because you’re broken, sleep tracking just got “more accurate.” Translation: Fitbit is clocking every micro-wiggle like it’s the NyQuil NSA. Google says this is step one in a whole series of sleep upgrades, rest assured.

72 hours

That’s the weekly grind for typical AI startup workers. It’s the infamous “996” warning label, that’s 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week, that feels more like working in the 1950s (minus the pensions, drinks, cigars and long lunches). AI may replace us eventually, but until then, it’s replacing our sleep.

Plane easy

🌎 I’ve got fixes for the most annoying travel problems.

👔 Wrinkled outfit? A travel steamer (18% off) puts that rusty hotel iron to shame.
🎧 Tune out the world: Grab these noise-canceling headphones (37% off) for peace and quiet.
😴 Total blackout: You + Manta’s sleep mask ($40) = out cold, even on midday flights.
✈️ Red-eye ready: This travel pillow (36% off) is soft enough to make the middle seat bearable.
🧳 Overpackers, rejoice: These smart cubes (44% off) let you squeeze more into your carry-on.

🛡️ ICYMI: Click here for 25 must-haves you need to stay safe, secure and prepared for the worst on your next trip.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

YouTube sleep timer: You can play white noise before bed without it running all night. While watching a video, tap the cog icon (on mobile and desktop), select Sleep timer and choose a time like 30 minutes or End of video. Fingers crossed, no loud ad sneaks in to ruin your dreams.

TV turning off on its own fix: If it’s like clockwork, it might be a setting you didn’t mean to enable. On most smart TVs, go to Settings > General and look for something like Sleep Timer, then turn it off. Still happening? It could be a bug. Try Settings > Support > Software Update.