Category: Sleep

Everyone has occasional sleepless nights. The stress of work, school, relationships, travel, health and world situations are ever-present realities in most people’s lives. That can lead to restless thoughts, over-stimulation, overuse of drugs, alcohol or food, and seeking solace in electronic devices.  All of these can make it difficult to fall asleep. But an often-overlooked…

We train for work projects, running races and even volunteer commitments. But what about training to be a morning person? It’s great to be a night owl, but sometimes it’s not the healthiest lifestyle. This may be because kids have grown up, making once-quiet nights chaotic. Or it could be because work hours have become…

Could you unknowingly disrupt your ability to sleep? The answer is yes. Actually, make that a double yes. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) reports that about one-third of Americans have experienced some kind of insomnia. And one-tenth of Americans have experienced insomnia on a regular basis. The thing is many people don’t know…

It seems like there are thousands of sleep aids on the market – and perhaps you’ve tried them all. But what about those so-called “all natural” sleep aids? Here’s what you need to know about one of the most popular – melatonin. The pineal gland in the brain secretes a hormone called melatonin, which helps…

Tired of counting sheep? Longing for a restful night’s sleep. Join the club. Insomnia is far from uncommon — and the consequences can be downright dire. Not only does it affect work performance, it also brings out the irritation in people. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), about a third of people…

You wake up in drenched in a cold sweat, terrified. No, it’s not a hot flash. In fact, it feels much worse. It was a disturbing dream. And unfortunately, you remember the scariest part. Really, it was like a bad horror movie. You were running through the forest with an axe murderer chasing you. Just…

When winter arrives, it’s the harbinger of cold and flu season. Will you or your family members be struck down this year? There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to sleep when you’re sick. From painful head pounding to seemingly endless sniffling and coughing, sleep can feel impossible. And unfortunately, things just seem to get worse…

Dreams may reflect what the sleeper experiences during waking activities, including daily stress, imagined terrors, post-traumatic stress or other psychiatric illnesses. There was a time when medical professionals regarded dream analysis with the same disdain as witchcraft or astrology. But an increasing number of medical researchers now believe there’s a strong connection between dreams and…

Insomnia is a disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep for long periods of time. About 30 percent of adults have this sleep disorder, but many manage to function even though they build up a massive sleep debt. That can lead to health problems down the road, sap energy, and affect…

Do you awaken most mornings exhausted, as if you ran a marathon in your dreams? But you still get behind the wheel of your car to commute to work, don’t you? Beware — it is estimated that drowsy driving causes about 100,000 automobile accidents a year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, resulting…