Ashley Graham, the renowned model and mother of three, has collaborated with the bedding brand Breescape to create a cooling bedding system, hoping to transform her sleeping experience. Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, she opened up about her evolving sleep routine, particularly how motherhood has fundamentally changed her approach.
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Graham, a proud mother to Isaac, aged six, and four-year-old twins Malachi and Roman, has seen her sleep habits shift considerably since becoming a parent. She recalls struggling with her body temperature at night after giving birth to her twins, due to health concerns linked to blood loss and the subsequent need for her body to recover and regulate. “I had a lot of blood loss, and my body was trying to regulate,” she explained, reflecting on that challenging time.
Today, she describes herself as typically running “normal to warm,” which encouraged her to endorse Breescape’s cooling sheet collection. Graham expressed her enthusiasm for the product, stating, “The cooling sheets have enhanced my sleep because I actually am staying cool for longer if I get really hot.” A set comprising sheets, pillowcases, and a blanket, she describes it as a game-changer for managing her heat during the night.
Her experiences as a mother have profoundly influenced her perception of sleep. Graham shared that the demands of raising her children have instilled in her a newfound appreciation for rest. “I think kids really helped me slow down,” she stated. “If I’m going to get rest, I’m going to be a happier person. I’m going to make healthier decisions about how I treat myself and what I eat.”
Although she identifies as a morning person, aiming to be in bed by 10 p.m. each night, Graham acknowledged that maintaining such a routine isn’t always feasible. “I try not to plan my day around sleep, but inevitably it happens,” she noted. To ensure she gets adequate rest, she sets a deadline for completing her chores by 9 p.m., which allows for her nighttime routine beforehand.
However, Graham’s commitments as a model often complicate her schedule. Late nights working events or responding to her children’s needs, such as dealing with nightmares or bedwetting, mean that she cannot always adhere to her ideal sleep schedule. To offset these interruptions, she relies on quick power naps during the day. “It doesn’t matter where I am as long as I can be horizontal,” she joked, highlighting her practical approach to reclaiming lost sleep.
The model’s husband, Justin Ervin, has an opposite routine, which Graham humorously described as “special.” As a self-proclaimed night owl, he often stays up until the early hours, a stark contrast to Graham’s early bedtime. She lightheartedly remarked that his lifestyle does not come with the same temperature fluctuations that she experiences, given her journey through childbirth.
Moreover, Graham is dedicated to instilling healthy sleep habits in her children. She currently enforces a flexible bedtime between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. and prefers for them to wake up naturally around 6:45 to 7:15 a.m. “If their body’s waking them up, then that’s when they’re supposed to wake up,” she said, acknowledging the balance required between school obligations and their natural rhythms.
As she prepares for her upcoming appearance in the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Graham remains committed to teaching her sons about the value of restorative sleep. She emphasises the importance of adapting routines in line with age and recognition of individual needs.
In a world that often overlooks the importance of sleep, Ashley Graham’s candid reflections on motherhood and rest underline an essential truth: investing in quality sleep is foundational to well-being, especially in a busy family life.