Mike Tilki is executive vice president of sales East for Talalay Global, headquartered in Shelton, Connecticut. When he’s not busy in the bedding industry, his interests take him outdoors — including golf, “despite the fact that I’m not any good at it,” Tilki jokes. He also kayaks, often bringing his dog, Otis, along for the ride. “Ever since I taught him to ride on it, he won’t let me go out solo.” Whatever he’s up to, Tilki says, “If I’m spending time with my family, I’m happy.”
BedTimes: Tell us about your bedtime routine.
Mike Tilki: I don’t have any real bedtime rituals other than brushing my teeth. I do tend to patrol the house to make sure the lights are off, doors are closed and thermostat is set to my liking.
BT: How many hours do you typically sleep?
MT: I always shoot for eight hours but probably average around seven. If I get less than six, I can be cranky.
BT: Pets in the bed — yay or nay?
MT: It’s a yay for me. I know it’s not recommended, but it’s too late now. Otis, our 4-year-old chocolate lab, is a constant bed companion.
BT: What is the best sleep product that you own?
MT: This will come off as a shameless plug, but it’s definitely my Talalay latex pillow. It makes a huge difference in how I sleep. I try to take it with me when I travel, if at all possible.
BT: What are your best sleep tips?
MT: Make sure you have a great pillow. But room temperature is also key for me. If the room isn’t cool enough, I think it impedes your ability to get into a good sleep state.
BT: Where is the last place you got a great night’s sleep that wasn’t your house?
MT: This happened recently. My wife and I were on vacation in Mallorca, Spain, and stayed at a nice hotel overlooking the ocean. It was cold enough at night to leave the balcony doors open. With the combination of the cool breeze and the sound of the ocean, I was out like a light.
BT: What are your secrets for getting a good night’s sleep while traveling?
MT: For business travel, I always try to book a room with two queen beds because they seem to hold up better than the king beds in most hotels. Also, I’ll always return to a hotel that allows me to set the thermostat to a lower setting.
BT: What do you do that breaks the traditional sleep rules?
MT: Doomscrolling on my phone. I can be really bad about it. Plus, I tend to find great things to buy that aren’t as great in the light of day.
BT: OK, now for a game of “What Would you Rather?” Physical book or Kindle?
MT: Audiobooks have really ruined me for both. With all my travel, being able to listen to a book allows me to get through a lot more reading. I probably average about five books a month.
BT: Before bed — read a book, watch a show or listen to a podcast?
MT: Usually, watching sports helps me wind down. It could be any obscure sport, and I’ll still get sucked in. Additionally, even though it defies sleep rules, I find that a nightcap can also be relaxing.
BT: Is there anything else you want to add?
MT: I think finding a way to decompress or “turn off” at night is a critical step to finding sleep. The method can be different for everyone, but finding a process to disconnect from the thoughts and stress of the day is so important. The best mattress or pillow in the world won’t help if you can’t get your brain ready for sleep.
