Indulge in your zzzs
Why do we work so hard? Is it the desire to accumulate material things, to provide comfort for ourselves and our families, or to feel that we are living out our purpose? Whatever the reason, many of us fall into what Arianna Huffington calls a delusion: that to be more, we must do more.
When I was younger, sleep was never an issue. I could attend school, go out late with friends, and still make it to my morning class. Later, in my early career, I wore sleeplessness almost like a badge of honor—staying in the office burning the midnight oil, heading straight into early presentations, and pushing through long days without a second thought. Back then, I thought less sleep meant more productivity, more ambition, more of me.
But time has a way of humbling us. Our bodies eventually remind us that rest is not optional. Today, as a wife to a loving and supportive husband, a mother to three beautiful tween girls, a homemaker, and an entrepreneur, I understand this more deeply. Juggling multiple roles can be rewarding, but it is also demanding. Sometimes the toll shows up in small but undeniable ways, like a twitching eye. When heavy fatigue deepens into stress, it often spills over, and those we love most become the unintended bearers of our moods. Perhaps this is the body’s way of speaking firmly yet tenderly that it is time to recover.
My hope is that for many of you, it doesn’t have to reach that point—where your body is the one telling you what your mind has long ignored.
And so, I’ve learned that sleep is not the enemy of productivity, but its greatest ally. It is not a weakness or overindulgence, but it is a serious investment in longevity, clarity, and well-being. If we splurge on anything, let it be on the place where we spend a third of our lives: our bed.
The luxury of rest
We splurge on handbags, cars, gadgets, meals, and trips—each giving us joy, but often in passing. True renewal, however, lies in the kind of luxury that lasts: deep, restorative sleep. Getting at least seven to eight hours is a serious investment in both longevity and productivity.
No sleep sanctuary is complete without its foundation: a truly good mattress and set of pillows. I favor Sealy Posturepedic—there’s something magnetic about the way it supports, cradles, and restores—paired with goose-down pillows. The best ones today are soft and free of the sharp quills that once made them troublesome. With quality and care, they stay comfortable for years, turning every night into true recovery.
Linens, too, shape the experience. The old myth that higher thread counts guarantee quality has long been dispelled. What matters most are the quality of the fibers and the weave. Egyptian cotton, with its long-staple fibers, borne of the Nile’s good weather and fertile soil, offers a softness that endures, making it the gold standard to this day. Percale lends a crisp, cool finish, while sateen offers a smoother, more indulgent drape. The right choice is less about labels and more about what feels best for your body and lifestyle.
Brands like Frette understand this instinctively. Their sheets are not merely functional; they are sensual, even ceremonial. Add your own touches—monogrammed pillowcases, the weight of a perfect blanket, or the ritual precision of hospital corners—and the bed transforms. It ceases to be just furniture and becomes a sanctuary, one that welcomes you night after night.
Creating a sanctuary
A bedroom designed for recovery should feel like a hotel suite tailored just for you. Hotels like The Four Seasons understand the business of sleep, with beds so inviting you remember them long after check-out. Even business hotels such as Microtel by Wyndham know that true hospitality begins with rest—because in the end, everybody dreams better on good sleep.
A bedside tray for your trinkets and prayer beads. A carafe of water infused with lemon or grapefruit. Lighting that adjusts with your mood—bright enough for a book, soft enough for winding down. Scents that soothe the senses, like my favorite—lavender and vanilla. Even the discipline of making your bed each morning transforms the space—because what greets you at night is not chaos, but calm. All these are not excesses; they are signals to the body that it is safe to rest, that the day is done.
The bed is more than a bed
Our beds are not just for us. They are where children crawl in with stories of their day, where pets claim their corner, and where partners share quiet conversations before sleep. They are spaces of intimacy, hospitality, and connection.
For some, they are also spaces of faith. Prayers whispered in the stillness, reflections made before the lights dim. For others, they are spaces of leisure—a favorite show on Netflix, a breakfast tray on a lazy Sunday, a novel that lulls the mind into dreaming, and sometimes, a place of deep contemplation.
In this way, the bed is both private and shared, sacred and practical, always restorative.
Rethinking achievement
The world often tells us to achieve more, accumulate more, and be more. But real achievement often begins in the quietest of places: a well-rested body, a clear mind, and a soul at peace.
High performers in every field know this. Jeff Bezos connects his best decision-making to getting eight hours of rest. Arianna Huffington rebuilt her empire around the philosophy of recovery. Roger Federer, one of the greatest athletes in history, called sleep “the ultimate performance enhancer.” Even Bella Hadid, at the height of her modeling career, considers sleep essential to beauty and well-being.
Their success, whether in boardrooms, catwalks, or courts, rests—quite literally—on sleep. So perhaps the true luxury is not another hour of work, but the indulgence of closing our eyes in a bed that welcomes us, restoring body, mind, and spirit.
Splurge where it counts. Splurge on your sleep.
Bedside rituals
Transform your bedroom into a sanctuary for recovery with thoughtful details—quiet luxuries that signal it’s time to rest:
• Bedside carafe: infused water with orange or grapefruit (minus the skin) for hydration
• Quality sheets: Egyptian cotton or linens by Frette, with the thread count that suits your comfort
• Personal style: Monogrammed pillowcases, textures, and colors that reflect your taste
• Calm scents and atmosphere: Soothing fragrances, good air, and the right temperature to lull you into deep rest
• Rosary or prayer beads: Grounding rituals to center the spirit
• Soft night lamp: Warm light for reading without disturbing others.
• Trinket tray: To gracefully hold your watch, eyeglasses, jewelry, Tempur sleep mask, and phone
• Alarm clock: To wake you gently, without letting you reach for your phone first thing in the morning
• A good book: A screen-free companion for winding down
• Sleepwear (or lack of it): From crisp cotton or silk to a favorite worn-in tee, the best choice is whatever lets your body breathe and helps you rest with ease
• Sleep tech: Oura Ring helps track patterns, heart rate, and deep sleep, guiding you toward better rest
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Erratum:
In our previous feature on “Music sounds better with you,” we would like to make a clarification regarding Mr. Jack Duavit’s reference system. His setup is a true collector’s dream and includes:
• Von Schweikert Audio Ultra 11
• CH Precision 10 Series
• Taiko SGM Server
• TechDAS Analog
• Stromtank Battery Power and Power Distribution
• Critical Mass Systems racks and footers
• MasterBuilt Signal Power Cables
We sincerely thank Mr. Duavit for allowing us a glimpse into his remarkable system.
