Dr. Shelby Harris, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Director of Sleep Health

As a sleep doctor, my mission is to help everyone get a good night’s sleep. As a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep medicine, I’ve treated a wide variety of sleep disorders, including insomnia, nightmares, and narcolepsy, with a focus on non-pharmacological interventions. I’m board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the author of The Women’s Guide to Overcoming Insomnia: Get a Good Night’s Sleep Without Relying on Medication.

How I Sleep: I always start on my stomach, then wake up on my back. Getting used to sleeping on my side while pregnant twice was quite an adjustment – and shortly after having my kids, I went straight back to my usual ways!
Pro Tip: Whatever you go to bed with on your mind will be there when you wake up in the middle of the night. I make sure to get things out of my head a good 30 to 60 minutes before bed every night to help quiet my mind. If I wake up and think of something in the middle of the night, I write it down quick and get it out of my head and back to sleep.

Alanna Nuñez
Head of Content

Hi everyone! I’m Alanna, the head of content at Sleepopolis. I oversee the content and brand strategy and lead the team that creates best-in-class sleep health, news, and product reviews. Previously, I was a senior editor at Healthline and the news and features editor at What to Expect Digital. I’ve also worked on staff at Shape.com, Cosmopolitan.com, and more top women’s lifestyle brands. My writing has appeared in Reader’s Digest, LOLA, Prevention, Women’s Health, and more. When I’m not thinking about sleep (I’ve had insomnia since I was 14, so it’s always on my mind), I’m trying – and failing, most days – to write my first book.

How I Sleep: All over the place – while I start out sleeping on my side, I often wake up to find myself sprawled out on my stomach (to the annoyance of my husband and dog!).
Pro Tip: Put your phone down or avoid screens for an hour before bed to get a better night’s sleep (I know, I know, but it really works).

Molly Stout
Senior News Editor

Hi! I’m the senior news editor at Sleepopolis. I’ve been a staff writer and editor for InStyle, Cosmopolitan, POPSUGAR, and the NY Daily News, and cover lifestyle, trends, wellness, and all the latest news in the sleep space.

How I Sleep: Without fail, I go to sleep on my side and wake up on my back. I’m determined to find out whether this makes me a side sleeper or back sleeper. Thoughts welcome!
Pro Tip: If you’re like me and really love remembering your dreams, keep a notebook in your nightstand so you can quickly write down all the fun little details (or big feelings) as soon as you wake up.

Dan Caffrey
Senior Performance Editor

I’m a Certified Sleep Science Coach and the senior performance editor at Sleepopolis, where I edit the site’s roundups and focus on content optimization. I got my MFA in Playwriting from the University of Texas at Austin, and you can see my theatre work being produced around the country. I also co-host two popular horror podcasts on the Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network — The Losers’ Club: A Stephen King Podcast, and Halloweenies: A Horror Franchise Podcast.

How I Sleep: I always start on my back, but find myself switching to my side right as I’m about to nod off. Our dog Hank shares the bed with my wife and I, so I wonder if I’ve become a combination sleeper by necessity.
Pro Tip: A common tip for side sleepers is to place a pillow between your knees to prevent any discomfort. But I’ve found that wearing pajama pants can be just as effective.

Julia Medina
Staff News Writer

Hi all! I’m Julia, a staff news writer here at Sleepopolis. I cover anything from breaking sleep news to the latest sleep trends and everything in-between. My goal is to keep well informed about what’s going on in the sleep world.

How I Sleep: I’m a combo sleeper, with a tendency of falling asleep on my stomach and waking up on my back. I like a soft, but supportive pillow and linen sheets.
Pro Tip: Instead of tossing and turning because of the million thoughts running through your mind, write down anything that’s keeping you awake. This can help your mind and body relax leading to better sleep.

Sarah Carlton
Community Manager

Howdy, y’all! I’m Sarah, Sleepopolis’ Community Mananger. From silly TikToks to informational Instagram carousels, I lead our social media strategy to create engaging content for all to enjoy. Be sure to follow our profiles and say hi!

How I Sleep: I love sleeping with brown noise in the background, and black-out curtains are a must. During the night, I do toss-and-turn, but I get the best sleep with I fall asleep on my back. I’m also team #nosocks; I could never sleep with them on.
Pro Tip: Your bedroom is your cave! Decorate it in a way that makes you feel comfortable and safe. A dark safe space can help you wind down at night and make your bedroom feel like a stress-free oasis.

Juniper Nie
Community Management Associate

Hi there! I’m Juniper, the community management associate. I collaborate with the Sleepopolis team to provide engaging, interactive social media posts, content, and short-form visuals revolving around the world of sleep.

How I Sleep: I am a combo sleeper who tends to fall asleep on my side and then wake up on my back or vice versa; it all depends on my pet cat’s position during our nightly bedtime routine. #catmom
Pro Tip: A weighted blanket could be an excellent solution for calming a restless sleeper. From easing anxiety and sleep troubles, or improving comfort and security, I highly recommend considering a weighted blanket for those much-needed nights of leisure.

Meghan Hynes Cole
Newsletter Editor

Hi! I’m Meghan, the newsletter editor at Sleepopolis, and I make sure our great sleep content gets delivered straight to your inbox. My goal is to send you all the must-know health information, fun new products, news tips and more that you need for the best night’s sleep.

How I Sleep: I start out sleeping on my right side, but I’ll switch between my side and back throughout the night. I also love having multiple blankets and am a huge fan of wearing socks to bed!
Pro Tip: Dim the lights in the evening, even if you’re still up watching TV or reading. It’s so simple, but it really helps your brain transition to night.

Lauren Hapgood
Performance Publisher and Certified Sleep Science Coach

I’m an editorial project manager, writer, and Certified Sleep Science Coach at Sleepopolis, where I focus on mattress research and updates to our top-performing content to make sure it’s as up to date, thorough, and well-researched as it can be. I got my bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of Washington. When I’m not keeping you updated on the best sleep products, you can find me playing guitar, going for a run, or spending time with my dog.

How I Sleep: I’ll fall asleep on my back, left side, or on my right side depending on what’s most comfortable in the moment. I do toss and turn throughout the night (much to my dog’s annoyance).
Pro Tip: Try your best to get outside and stay active during the daytime, which can promote a more restful sleep.

Amelia Jerden
Senior Staff Writer

Hey, there! I’m Amelia, senior staff writer for Sleepopolis. If you’re on the hunt for the best pillows, sheets, or mattress toppers, I’ve got you covered. I spend my days reviewing bedding and sleep products to help you sleep better at night. You can also find me over on our YouTube channel.

How I Sleep: I’m primarily a back sleeper, but occasionally dabble in some side sleeping, too. I love a soft, cushioning mattress, a supportive and cooling pillow, and breathable sheets.
Pro Tip: Invest in sleep products you love! You don’t have to spend lots of money or buy anything too fancy to seriously upgrade your comfort at night.

Jessica Banks
Health Editor

Jessica Banks is the health editor at Sleepopolis. Leading the charge on everything evergreen, she aims to help people get a good night’s sleep whether they’re struggling with a sleep disorder, searching for new sleep-friendly snacks, or trying to catch their best night’s sleep on the go.

How I Sleep: A cave would probably be my optimal sleep environment—I like the room to be pitch black and cool, with my oscillating fan running in the background. I fall asleep on my side but always wake up on my back.
Pro Tip: Try to stick with a consistent nighttime routine and bedtime (yes, on weekends too!). I gave it a try and went from a “bad sleeper” to someone who falls asleep in minutes most nights.

Abby Wood
PR Strategist

Hey! I’m Abby, strategist for the content marketing and digital PR team at Sleepopolis. My role revolves around developing effective strategies to enhance our content and strengthen our online presence.

How I Sleep:
I typically fall asleep on my side but occasionally wake up on my back. My dog, Dutton, shares the bed with me so my sleeping position frequently relies on him!
Pro Tip:
If your mind is racing at night, try writing down the thoughts that are keeping you awake. Putting them on paper can help you relax so that you can enjoy a night of restful sleep.

Carlie Gasia
PR Associate and Certified Sleep Science Coach

Hi! I’m Carlie, Sleepopolis’s digital PR associate and a Certified Sleep Science Coach.

How I Sleep: I am a deep rooted side sleeper, consistently falling asleep and waking up on either my left or right side. I prefer bedding and pillows that are fluffy and soft, yet supportive. I love to fall asleep with pink noise on a sleep timer and with an overhead fan on high.
Pro Tip: Sleep, light and melatonin are linked together. Melatonin is a sleep hormone that the brain releases at bedtime. As a fan of having colored LED lightbulbs in my apartment (mainly for aesthetic purposes), I’ve found that dim red light at bedtime helps me relax and prepare for sound sleep the best, as well as improves my sleep inertia in the morning.

Brianna Auray
Data Analyst

I’m Brianna, Data Analyst on Sleepopolis. My goal is to collect, analyze, and interpret data on sleep health and share new insights with our audience.

How I sleep:
While I try my best to be a side sleeper, I often find myself waking up on my stomach. I’m a light sleeper, so I always fall asleep white noise or rain sounds to block out my dog, Piper’s, snoring!
Pro Tip:
Get outside as much as you can during the day, especially in the morning. Natural light helps to regulate our circadian rhythms and is linked to nighttime melatonin production.

Anna Freeman
Content Marketing Associate and Certified Sleep Science Coach

I’m Anna, a Content Marketing Associate and a Certified Sleep Science Coach at Sleepopolis. I collaborate with the editorial and content marketing teams to research and create health content.

How I sleep:
I am a loyal combo sleeper, switching between my stomach and my side.
Pro Tip:
For all my fellow stomach sleepers out there, I 100 percent recommend putting a pillow under your pelvis to help keep your back in a more neutral position and sleeping with either a thin pillow or no pillow under your head!