Southern Style Cooking: Is Your Sleep Aging You Faster?

Sleep myths busted, mouth taping unpacked, The Super Age Sleep Guide, and the best mattresses for deep rest—because longevity starts with better sleep. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Issue #33 I March 13, 2025

Photography by Vinh Dao

Welcome to The Mindset by Super Age.

We all know sleep is essential, but getting high-quality rest isn’t always easy. In honor of National Sleep Week, we’re tackling some of the buzziest sleep trends—including whether mouth taping actually improves sleep (or just makes for a good viral video). We’re also breaking down the best mattresses for different sleep styles and launching our Ultimate Super Age Sleep Guide—a one-stop playbook for upgrading your rest, fueling longevity, and waking up ready to take on the day.

Let's dive in!

Mouth Taping for Better Sleep? Let’s Talk Science

Mouth taping—yes, literally taping your lips shut at night—is making waves in the wellness world. The claims? Taping forces nasal breathing, which may reduce snoring, prevent dry mouth and cavities, boost your immune system, improve sleep quality, and even chisel your jawline. But before reaching for the tape, let’s break down the science.

A new study in the American Journal of Otolaryngology is the first to review the actual research on mouth taping, and after sifting through the studies (a mere nine studies made the cut), here’s what they found:

✅ Mouth taping might help some mild sleep apnea sufferers and snorers, particularly when combined with a mandibular advancement device (MAD).
❌ There's no solid evidence for preventing cavities, boosting immunity, or reshaping your face.
⚠️ Risky for people with moderate to severe sleep apnea, asthma, or nasal obstruction. These folks rely on mouth-breathing as a backup mechanism, and blocking the mouth could be dangerous.

While nasal breathing has proven benefits—humidifying air, boosting nitric oxide (improving blood flow and oxygenation), and supporting relaxation—whether taping your mouth shut improves sleep is still up for debate.

If you’re curious, here’s how to do it safely:

Use skin-friendly tape. Medical-grade, hypoallergenic options only. (David uses this one)
Test it out during the day. Make sure you can breathe comfortably through your nose.
Talk to a doctor first. Especially if you snore, wake up gasping, or feel exhausted during the day.

Bottom line? If you’re curious, definitely talk to your doctor first. And if you’re going to experiment, maybe don’t start on a night when you’re home alone.

All featured products are selected independently and objectively by the author. Super Age may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

15% = Shorter Lifespan From Lack of Sleep

Getting less than 6 hours of sleep regularly can shorten your lifespan by up to 15%, according to the Institute of Medicine Committee on Sleep Medicine and Research. Sleep isn’t just about feeling rested—it directly impacts cellular repair, cognitive function, and immune resilience. Prioritizing REM and deep sleep is one of the most powerful ways to add quality years to your life. Check out our Ultimate Sleep Guide to see how to upgrade your sleep to fuel longevity.

Join Super Age Founder David Harry Stewart, our Founding Editor Heather Hurlock, and biophilia pioneer Jennifer Walsh for an exclusive Wellness Walk in Central Park—our first-ever in-person event! This walk is designed to activate your brain, restore your energy, and connect you with the NYC Super Age community.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

Which Mattress Matches Your Sleep Style?

Your mattress can make or break your rest, affecting everything from back pain to body temperature. Whether you're a side sleeper, a hot sleeper, or sharing a bed with a restless partner, we've done the homework for you. From motion-isolating memory foam to luxury hybrids to cooling tech-infused beds, here’s a curated list of top-rated mattresses tailored to different sleep needs. Find your perfect match and upgrade your sleep game.

Back Pain Relief

Amerisleep AS2: This medium-firm mattress offers balanced support and pressure relief, making it suitable for those seeking to alleviate back pain.
WinkBed: A luxury hybrid mattress that provides excellent support to maintain spinal alignment, potentially reducing back discomfort.

Partners with Different Sleep Movements

Bear Elite Hybrid: Known for its motion isolation and responsiveness, this mattress minimizes disturbances caused by your partner's movements.
Nectar Memory Foam: This medium-firm mattress is suitable for most sleep positions and offers good motion isolation, making it ideal for couples.

Side Sleepers

Helix Midnight Luxe: Designed to relieve pressure and promote alignment, this mattress alleviates aches and pains common among side sleepers.
Leesa Sapira Hybrid: This mattress offers cushioning memory foam on the surface, providing comfort and support for side sleepers.

Hot Sleepers

Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe: This mattress incorporates advanced cooling technologies to maintain a comfortable sleep temperature.
GhostBed Luxe: Marketed as "The Coolest Bed in the World," this mattress has gel-infused memory foam, to provide a consistently cool sleeping surface.

Eco-Conscious Sleepers

Avocado Green Mattress: Made with organic materials, this mattress caters to environmentally conscious buyers seeking comfort and sustainability.
Birch Natural Mattress: An eco-friendly option that combines natural materials with supportive design for a sustainable sleep solution.

Tech-Savvy Sleepers

Eight Sleep Pod 4: This smart mattress cover offers AI-driven temperature control, sleep tracking, and a biometric wake-up system.

Selecting a mattress that aligns with your specific sleep preferences and needs can significantly enhance your shut-eye.

All featured products are selected independently and objectively by the author. Super Age may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

The Super Age Sleep Upgrade (Your Playbook)

Great sleep doesn't just happen—it is built on consistency. Your body craves rhythm. The more predictable your sleep habits, the easier it is to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up refreshed. The key? Small, sustainable habits that keep your circadian rhythm on track. Research on habit change shows that lasting transformation comes from building awareness of our behaviors and shifting them in small, rewarding steps. Here are the basics of restorative sleep:

1. Train Your Circadian Rhythm → Stick to a sleep schedule (yes, even on weekends).
2. Cool, Dark, Quiet → Optimize your space with blackout curtains and cooling sheets. (65°F is the optimal bedroom temperature)
3. Tech Detox Hour → Avoid blue light exposure 1–2 hours before bed.
4. Magnesium and Wind-Down Rituals → Try chamomile tea, a warm magnesium bath, or deep breathing exercises.
5. Morning Sunlight Power → Early light exposure helps set your internal clock.

▶️ Read the full breakdown of the Super Age Sleep Routine.

Thank you for reading this issue of The Mindset! We're delighted to have you as part of our growing Super Age community. We value your thoughts and would love to hear from you — just hit reply to share your feedback and any topics you're curious about! Discovered something Super Age worthy? Send it our way.