10 Books That Will Radically Improve Sleep
Napoleon Bonaparte famously said, “let her sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world.” This quote romanticizing sleep would sound much better if sleeping well was as easy as it sounds. In truth, most of us are not getting enough sleep — for various reasons. According to the National Sleep Foundation’s (NSF) 2020 Sleep in America poll, Americans feel sleepy on average 3x a week, with 62% trying to “shake it off” as their primary response.
Getting enough sleep is integral to your overall well-being, and being well-rested empowers your body and mind to do everything, well, better. In comparison, insufficient sleep can lead to many other insufficiencies (i.e., low creativity and productivity) and higher rates of mental health struggles, among other health challenges. Repeat after me: good sleep is non-negotiable. Thus, the following collection of books on sleep is curated to help you avoid all that by giving you the resources to relax, rest, and sleep soundly.
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Add to BookshelfThe Sleep Revolution
by Arianna Huffington
In The Sleep Revolution, Arianna Huffington, the co-founder of The Huffington Post, discusses our society’s misconception of sleep being “time wasted” and how that compromises everything from your health to your decision-making, to the quality of your sex life. Huffington makes the case that you can only truly take back control of your life by renewing and improving your relationship with sleep. In this New York Times bestseller, Huffington explains the science behind what is actually happening when you’re sleeping (and dreaming). She draws from leading scientists to provide a range of recommendations and tips on getting better — and more restorative — sleep.
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$17.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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Restful Sleep
by Deepak Chopra, M.D.
Need something to help you overcome insomnia — and quick? Snag Deepak Chopra’s ebook, Restful Sleep. In Restful Sleep, Dr. Chopra — a world-renowned figure in the field of human empowerment — discusses how Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of life, is ideally suited to help with insomnia. In reading, you’ll discover methods to make falling asleep easier and identify and eliminate the imbalances causing your insomnia. By the end, you’ll have the tools needed to fall asleep faster, stay asleep, and feel more rested when rising. (All of that in only 144 pages.)
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Yoga for Better Sleep
by Mark Stephens
Yoga in bed? Yes, please. Written by master yoga trainer and bestselling author, Mark Stephens, Yoga for Better Sleep explains how age-old yoga practices are helping us enjoy better rest, clearer minds, and healthier bodies. Inside you’ll find a mix of simple yoga sequences, breathing exercises, and meditation practices to try at bedtime and help you fight your insomnia. According to the Seattle Book Review, “this book will make you yawn … and that’s a good thing!”
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$19.95Buy from Other Retailers:
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The Sleep Prescription
by Aric A. Prather, PhD
The Sleep Prescription has received countless praise from some of the most prominent minds in sleep, including Dr. Sara Mednick, who called it “a must-have for anyone looking to improve their waking life by fixing their sleeping one.” Authored by renowned sleep scientist Dr. Aric Prather, this book offers a simple yet powerful plan to improve your sleep — in just seven days. Dr. Prather goes beyond the obvious solutions and shares surprisingly simple yet profoundly effective methods to help you lie back and let sleep work its magic. Consider this one your how-to guide on getting better sleep in one week.
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$15.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Bedtime Bonnet
by Nancy Redd
This book is perfect for parents who can’t sleep properly until their babies sleep peacefully. Bedtime Bonnet is celebrated as the first-ever picture book to highlight Black nighttime hair traditions, and it’s ideal for every little girl (and mother!) who knows what it’s like to lose their bonnet just before bedtime. Soothe your kids to sleep while you celebrate the love between this close-knit, multi-generational family. Booklist called this “a wonderful window and mirror that lends itself well to lessons on self-concept, bedtime routines, and learning about differences.”
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$18.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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Sleep Wise
by Daniel Blum
Did you know that nearly 30% of adults and two-thirds of all high school students report regularly getting insufficient sleep? That’s what the Center for Disease Control uncovered and why they consider inadequate sleep a national public health epidemic. In Sleep Wise, Dr. Daniel Blum explores the everyday activities and habits that impact how you sleep — and your overall well-being. Blum uses a mix of science, anecdotes, and mindfulness practices to offer new solutions to a sustainable, pleasurable sleep practice. If you have trouble sleeping, this guide is just what you want on your bedside table.
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$16.95Buy from Other Retailers:
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Sleep Smarter
by Shawn Stevenson
Shawn Stevenson learned just how important sleep is when a degenerative bone disease crushed his dreams of becoming a professional athlete. He gave up on his health and body for a time until he decided there must be a better way. Through better sleep and optimized nutrition, Stevenson healed his body and achieved fitness and business goals he never thought possible. In Sleep Smarter, Stevenson outlines his 14-Day Sleep Makeover to help you discover the best sleep — and health — of your life. New York Times bestselling author, Gretchen Rubin, called Sleep Smarter “a terrific resource for anyone who wants a great night’s rest.”
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$27.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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Radiant Rest
by Tracee Stanley
Rest easier with Tracee Stanley’s Radiant Rest. The book explores yoga nidra, which Stanley identifies as the practice that encourages you to wake up to the fullness of your life. Stanley offers six essential methods arranged around the koshas (aka the five subtle layers of the body: the physical, energetic, mental, intuitive, and bliss bodies). Each yoga nidra practice comes with step-by-step instructions and self-inquiry prompts. With Radiant Rest, you’ll walk away with a better understanding of the history of yoga nidra and the power of rest in your daily life. (Plus, it comes with a set of guided audio meditations for further relaxation.)
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$18.95Buy from Other Retailers:
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Take a Nap! Change Your Life.
by Sara Mednick and Mark Ehrman
Read by Sara Mednick
This one’s for audiobook lovers. Perhaps the key to feeling more restful isn’t about our nighttime routine but your daytime one. In short: maybe you could use a nap. Sara C. Mednick, Ph.D., the leading authority on the study of the nap, offers a scientifically-based breakthrough program in Take a Nap! Change Your Life on how to fight the fatigue epidemic through a custom-designed nap. Listen to learn how to assess tiredness and neutralize the voice in your head that tells you napping is lazy. From finding your optimal napping time and learning how long you should try to sleep to creating the right nap environment, Mednick has a tip for every nap-related thing.
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Do One Thing Every Day to Sleep Well Every Night
by Robie Rogge and Dian G. Smith
Maybe what you need for better sleep isn’t a book but a journal. This guided journal features 365 quotes and prompts to help you rest easy and get the most out of your sleep. In Do One Thing Every Day to Sleep Well Every Night, you’ll find that each page features a quote from a different writer, artist, scientist, musician, spiritual leader, or celebrity offering plenty of ideas to help make your sleep more restful and restorative.
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$12.95Buy from Other Retailers:
