At 70 years old, pushing hard toward my wild goal of living to 200 with The 200 Year Life Project, sleep is sacred—it's when the body repairs DNA, clears brain waste, and rebuilds for another day of optimization. But modern life is noisy: traffic, neighbors, snoring partners, even the hum of appliances. That's why I wear high-quality Loop Quiet earplugs every night, combined with my blackout sleep mask. Blocking noise isn't optional—it's a game-changer for deeper, more restorative sleep.

Noise: The Silent Sleep Killer

Even low-level sounds disrupt sleep architecture. They trigger micro-arousals—brief awakenings you might not remember but that fragment deep and REM stages. Over time, this leads to poorer recovery, higher stress hormones, and accelerated aging.

Proven Benefits Backed by Science.

At 70 years old, grinding toward my insane goal of living to 200 with The 200 Year Life Project, sleep isn't just rest—it's recovery, repair, and optimization. Quality sleep is the foundation of longevity, and one of my simplest yet most powerful hacks is wearing a contoured blackout sleep mask every single night. It blocks 100% of light, boosts melatonin, deepens REM, and sharpens my brain the next day. If you're serious about extreme healthspan, this cheap tool is non-negotiable.

How Light Sabotages Your Sleep (Even Through Closed Eyes)

Even dim light—like a streetlamp, phone glow, or hallway crack—reaches your retinas through eyelids and suppresses melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. This disrupts your circadian rhythm, reduces deep and REM sleep, and leaves you groggy.

Proven Benefits Backed by Science

1. Boosts Melatonin and Deepens Sleep

Total darkness ramps up melatonin production, helping you fall asleep faster and spend more time in restorative REM and slow-wave sleep. Studies in simulated ICU environments show eye masks (often with earplugs) increase REM duration, shorten REM latency, and elevate nocturnal melatonin levels.

At 70 years old, charging toward my audacious goal of living to 200 with The 200 Year Life Project, every hour of sleep counts as prime recovery time. That's why I've invested in a full grounding setup from GroundLuxe—fitted bottom sheet, flat top sheet, and matching pillowcases. I love them. They're soft, luxurious organic cotton with conductive silver threads that connect me directly to the Earth's natural electrons all night long. No more insulated modern living disconnecting me from the ground—now I “earth” effortlessly while I sleep.

What Is Grounding (or Earthing)?

Grounding means physically connecting your body to the Earth's surface electrons. Traditionally, that's barefoot on grass or soil. But indoors, grounding sheets woven with silver or carbon fibers plug into the grounded port of your outlet (or a rod outside), allowing those free electrons to flow into your body. This neutralizes positive charges from EMFs, inflammation, and daily stress.

Modern life—rubber soles, elevated beds, concrete—has disconnected us. Reconnecting may restore what evolution intended.

At 70, I’m stacking every edge I can to protect my sleep—and my shot at becoming the first human to hit 200. One of the simplest, most impactful additions to my evening routine? TrueDark glasses.

I put them on every night, usually 1–2 hours before bed, and I genuinely like them. They’re comfortable, effective, and have noticeably improved how quickly I fall asleep and how rested I feel in the morning.

As part of my ongoing 200-Year Life Project, where I'm exploring every tool, habit, and innovation that could help extend my lifespan and optimize health, I've been diving deep into wearable tech. Today, I want to share my experience with the Ultrahuman Ring that's revolutionized how I track and improve my sleep. If you're like me, chasing that elusive goal of living healthier for longer, sleep is the foundation. Poor sleep can sabotage everything from cognitive function to immune response, and at my age, I'm not taking any chances.

The UltraHuman Ring.

What is the Ultrahuman Ring?

For those unfamiliar, the Ultrahuman Ring is a compact wearable device designed to monitor your body's vital metrics 24/7. Its focuses on actionable insights without the bulk of a smartwatch. It tracks heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), body temperature, movement, and—most crucially for this post—sleep patterns. No screens, no distractions; just slip it on your finger, sync it with the app, and let it do the work.