In Bed With Gwyneth Paltrow

My heart rate variability and sleep scores are so much better when I do the mouth tape, because we’re actually designed to breathe through our nose for a number of reasons. You filter your air better that way. You produce more nitric oxide when you breathe through your nose, so that that helps dilate all of the blood vessels. Sometimes, if people snore or wake up a lot or they have a dry mouth—things that can impact sleep—mouth tape can protect against prophylactically, so there’s better oxygen exchange. It does make sleep more restful. It’s really interesting. I’m a big proponent of it. I would love for you to try and tell me what you think, just because I’ve gotten so many people on mouth tape.

You’re going to convert me on mouth tape. I feel like I need to try it now.

You should try it. It takes a couple of nights to get used to it. When I first started, I unconsciously peeled it off in the middle of the night a couple times. It took me a minute, and now I can’t sleep without it.

Do you believe in a late-night snack?

I personally don’t because I try to not eat for 12 hours after dinner until breakfast. It’s not really an intermittent fast, because you’re sleeping for most of it, but I at least try to let my digestive system rest for 12 hours, so no snacks.

What about a good beverage before bed?

Tea, absolutely, just nothing with milk or honey in it because I just want the zero calorie so that my body doesn’t kick back into the digestion process. But, I love a hot tea at night.

Are you a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper?

Heavy. Very heavy.

Do you sleep on your back, side, or something else?

I sleep on my side and front, like three hours. Ever since I had my kids, I started sleeping with a pillow underneath my leg when I was pregnant, and I never stopped. So it’s somewhere between on my stomach and on my side.

What makes the perfect pajama?

Light, breathable, 100% cotton. I love a brand called Lunya. It’s a really comfortable sleep wear. There’s a brand in Rome called Schostal, they’re my favorite classic pajamas. They’re beautiful, 100% cotton. I really like Sleepy Jones as well. I’m a big pajama girl. I love pajamas. Desmond and Dempsey is also another really cute brand.

Other than sleeping, what are the other ways you like to recharge and take a moment for yourself?

My husband and I, since we moved up to Santa Barbara, oftentimes we will finish work from home and when we’re here we’ll go take an evening walk on the beach, which is so nice to clear the head and just get some fresh air and feel connected to nature. That’s my new evening wind down, and also my bath. I love taking a bath.