Slideshow: 14 Reasons why You Can't Sleep

You follow all the sleep rules to the letter, but you're still not getting the rest you need. Here are some reasons you're tired.

Click here to view Slideshow

2 Tips - How do You Get a Baby to Sleep

Adults need between 7 and 9 hours each night.  Dr Harvey Karp told FoxNewsHealth.com that sleep deprivation can lead to unhealthy parents.  

"To ensure that new moms and dads get some sleep, Karp said parents can teach their baby to sleep better from the very first week of life with two important tips."

“Safe swaddling; arms down, not over-heating the baby and always sleeping on the back,” he said. “And the second part is white noise --all naps and all night. Those two things help to turn on the calming reflex, which gets the baby into a very profound sense of sleep.”

Read What are White Noise Machines? in our Key Sleep Aids Blog

Source: FoxNewsHealth.com
Picture: by permission Rachel Burke, all rights reserved

 

Can Sleeping In make you Fitter?

How do you make it in the Big Leagues? Practice
How do you stay there? Sleep In

New research suggests the more sleep-deprived a pro athlete the more likely he or she is to fail.

“Deep sleep is crucial for muscle recovery, bone mineralization, bouncing back from injuries, as well as illness recovery” says W. Christopher Winter, M.D.

Make sleep a priority in your life.

Source: Men's Health News

 

Which is Better - what you eat or when you eat?

Is there a good time of day to eat anything you like? Anything at all? Possibly, yes.

[ I think I'm going to like this... ] 

Scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Sudies report "eat early and eat whatever you like but skip dinner and never have late night snacks."

Source: Psychology Today

 

Glow of Gadgets at Night may Hinder Sleep

Not getting enough sleep? The problem may be in front of you.

Researchers have long known that light suppresses melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) says beware of blue wavelengths, the kind emitted by energy efficient light bulbs and electronic gadgets.

Studies have linked blue light and poor sleep to depression, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular problems.

Watch this ABC7 video on how gadgets affect your sleep

So what's a gadget addict to do?

Have a regular bed time routine

Sleep in a cool, dark room

Most importantly, power down early, ideally two to three hours before bed

* * * TURN OFF YOUR ELECTRONICS 2 - 3 HOURS BEFORE BED * * *

22 Tips for a Better Night's Sleep

We've read many tips for a good night sleep, avoid caffeine and don't smoke, get more exercise, etc.  The author of this article has several I'll bet you've never heard before. 

Read Stephanie's article here

Which of these tips were new to you?

Prepare Your Bed for Summertime

As the season changes to summer, it’s time to clean the house and change the bed sheets. You can put away the flannel and bring out the summer sheets.

Summer Bed Linens - lightweight natural materials are best for summertime
Cotton Bed Sheets - natural and breathes well
Bamboo Bed Sheets - softer and smooth than the finest cotton

This hot August I believe you'll thank yourself for a cool comfortable bed

Source
Art provided by Fireside Saints by Douglas Jerrold, Blackie & Son, Ltd 1904

Myth: People need Less Sleep as they Age

According to study data, the answer is yes. But not as much less as we might think.

A 2010 sleep laboratory study from the United Kingdom's University of Surrey had 110 healthy adults go to bed at the same time and spend eight hours there. Scientists measured the amount of time the subjects slept and compared the averages by age:

Age 20-30: 433.5 minutes (7.23 hours)

Age 40-55: 409.9 minutes (6.83 hours)

Age 66-83: 390.4 minutes (6.51 hours)

Source: San Francisco Chronicle to Read More

New Parent Sleep Deprivation? It's NO Laughing Matter

People who have children know all too well about the sleep deprivation that goes hand-in-hand with having a new baby. But it's no laughing matter.

Myth 1: Babies Should Sleep in Silence

Myth 2: Some Babies Sleep through the Night

Myth 3: Never Wake a Sleeping Baby

Read Lorie Johnson's Article "Sleep Deprived Parents? Put Baby Myths to Bed" 

Children are effected by Sleep Disorders

The Centers for Disease Control has labeled "insufficient sleep" a public health epidemic

From bedwetting to loud snoring, a host of symptoms can indicate an underlying sleep problem in children... In some cases, children diagnosed with attention problems, such as ADD/ADHD, actually have a sleep disorder. Some of the symptoms are the same, such as changes in behavior and attention. "There are studies that show that up to 38 percent of our children who are on stimulant medication for ADD/ADHD do not have ADD/ADHD," Salberg says. "They have sleep deprivation or poor sleep, most of which is due to sleep apnea."

Read more of Vanessa Renderman's article here 

Slideshow: 22 Best Diet Tips

Losing weight just got a little easier. See WebMd's gallery
of tried-and-true weight loss tips. They really work!

Watch their slideshow here

 

Mom always said "Make Your Bed, It Won't Make itself"

Did you mother tell you "Make your bed, it won't make itself?"

That's not true anymore with the smart bed.  Watch the video here  

5 Reasons: Real Men Need Real Sleep

In honor of Men's Health Week, Ashley Sleep reveals five important reasons why real men need to make real sleep a priority:

1. Better Immune System  2. Energized metabolism  3. Stronger relationships  4. More youthful appearance  5. Improved memory

Read the Article here

3 Tips to Get Newborn to Sleep & Stay Asleep

Swaddle Your Baby

Wear Your Baby Down

Use a White Noise Machine

Read Jordon Glover's article here

Junk Foods More Appealing when Sleepy

Do you crave junk food when you are sleepy?  I do.

A recent study reported by USNews.com "Unhealthy foods, such as sweets and chips, are more appealing to people who haven't had enough sleep, new research suggests."

Now you know - "Your guard is somewhat down when you're tired and sleep deprived. Even though you know you probably shouldn't eat certain foods, when you're tired you might just decide to go for it."

Can't Sleep? You May be Afraid of the Dark

"The high incidence of insomnia among Americans has been attributed to risk factors such as high levels of stress, shift work, or mood disorders such as anxiety or depression.  This study, however, is among the first to suggest that an underlying fear of the dark could be a major contributor."

CBS News reported "Poor sleepers were more easily disturbed by the noises, and their reactions were exaggerated by darkness."

Blue Light Warning for Sleep Deprived

Researchers, including Harvard University’s Dr. Steven Lockley, have long known that light suppresses melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep.  Studies have linked blue light and poor sleep to depression, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular problems

What’s a gadget addict to do? Power down two to three hours before bed time.

Moderate Drinking May Disrupt Sleep

Alcohol is thought to disrupt sleep during the second half of the night, because of what's known as a "metabolic rebound" effect. Alcohol can help you fall sleep immediately after you drink it, but as your blood alcohol level declines, you become more alert.

Rachael Rettner, MyHealthNewsDaily, reports people who consume low doses of alcohol sleep for less time than normal.

Sleep Tips for Shift Workers

Shift work - midnights or afternoons - has its reward, but restful sleep is often sacrificed.

Shift workers average just five hours of sleep per day. Sleep loss from working nights can cause chronic drowsiness, depression, poor quality work and driving accidents.

Read Sleep Tips for Shift Workers from the Henry Ford Center for Sleep Disorders

Is Stress Stealing Your ZZZs?

Stress may keep you tossing and turning at night.  Figure out how it is affecting your life.

Take WebMDs quiz  

QUIZ: Myths and Facts About Fatigue

Take WebMD's quiz and see if you know the difference between myth and fact

Chris

How to treat insomnia in week 15 of pregnancy

Paula Greer, Nurse Midwife at Baltimore Washington Medical Center, answers the question "How can I treat my Insomnia in week 15 of pregnancy?".

She advises periods of insomnia during pregnancy is common. Your inability to sleep can interfere with your ability to function and result in exhaustion and mood changes.

Some of her suggestions are:

Adequate nutrition, avoid caffeine and alcohol

Regular physical activity

White Noise

Sound Dampen your room

Hydrotherapy with warm soaks in bath

Read more here

Change is the law of life

Change is the law of life. Those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.

Lack of Sleep & Obesity Linked

A new study published in The American Journal of Human Biology discusses the link between inadequate sleep and obesity.

" Experimental studies have found that short-term sleep restriction is associated with impaired glucose metabolism, dysregulation of appetite, and increased blood pressure."

" Inadequate sleep can refer to either shorter sleep durations or poor sleep quality with or without the presence of a sleep disorder. " 

" In simplistic terms, obesity develops when energy intake is greater than energy expenditure...a potential additional factor may be an inadequate sleep. "