August 3, 2020

AHA News: Enjoy a Nap, But Know the Pros and Cons

WEDNESDAY, July 22, 2020 (American Heart Association News) -- You could read this story now. Or you could take a nap first, and perhaps tackle it feeling more alert and refreshed.

Health-wise, is that a good idea?

August 3, 2020

Don't Forget Good Sleep Habits During Summer

SUNDAY, July 26, 2020 -- Summer means long, carefree days outside, but don't let that sabotage your slumber, sleep experts say.

An American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) survey found that 36% of U.S. adults said they sleep less in the summer, with the highest rates in the West (42%) and Midwest (40%).

July 9, 2020

As REM Sleep Declines, Life Span Suffers

TUESDAY, July 7, 2020 -- Deep sleep is essential for good health, and too little of it may shorten your life, a new study suggests.

REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is when dreams occur and the body repairs itself from the ravages of the day. For every 5% reduction in REM sleep, mortality rates increase 13% to 17% among older and middle-aged adults, researchers report.

June 30, 2020

Sleeping In on Weekends Won't Erase Your 'Sleep Debt'

TUESDAY, June 30, 2020 -- For those who try to catch up on lost sleep during the weekend, French researchers have some bad news: Once Saturday and Sunday have come and gone, many will find they're still seriously short on sleep.

The finding centered on adults who regularly get only six hours of sleep or less on weekdays. That's far less than the seven to eight hours per night that most people need, said study author Dr. Damien Leger. He is chief of the Hotel Dieu Center of Sleep and Vigilance at the Public Assistance Hospital of Paris.

June 29, 2020

Yes, Bad Sleep Does Make People Grumpy

MONDAY, June 22, 2020 -- Not getting enough sleep can kill your mood the morning after, Norwegian researchers report.

"Not in the sense that we have more negative feelings, like being down or depressed," said lead author Ingvild Saksvik-Lehouillier of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. "But participants in our study experienced a flattening of emotions when they slept less than normal. They felt less joy, enthusiasm, attention and fulfillment."