The winter “cozy” scene you’re craving might be the most powerful sleep tool you’re not using—and it has nothing to do with perfection, supplements, or a cabin in the woods. In this season‑kickoff episode of Sleep Is My Waking Passion, Dr. Alison Kole introduces The Fireplace Effect: a simple, science‑backed way to calm your nervous system, lower arousal, and finally make it easier to fall asleep.

Drawing on clinical research linking relaxation practices with lower blood pressure, improved sleep quality, and better nighttime cardiovascular health, Alison breaks down why your body responds so strongly to those quiet, “fireside” moments—and how to recreate that state even if you don’t own a fireplace or find fire imagery comforting. You’ll learn how poor sleep and insomnia are tied to elevated nighttime blood pressure and “non‑dipping” patterns, and why an intentional wind‑down routine can be as important as what time you set your alarm.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• What The Fireplace Effect actually is—and why that calm, slow, dimly lit window before bed is a physiologic reset button, not just an aesthetic.
• How simple practices like slow breathing, soft light, and single‑tasking can reduce stress, support healthy blood pressure, and set up your brain for sleep.
• Why winter’s dark mornings and “hibernation” energy make it harder to sleep well—and how bright morning light plus an evening Fireplace Effect can realign your internal clock.
• A step‑by‑step, no‑perfection version of an evening Fireplace Effect routine you can start tonight, even in a small apartment or busy household.

This is not another “just turn off your phone” episode. It’s a practical  framework for designing your nights with the same intentionality you bring to your days: clear inputs, clear boundaries, and a repeatable system that your nervous system can trust.