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Is Your Coffee Habit Making you Sleepy?
Do you find yourself getting drowsy after drinking coffee? If so, you are not alone. While caffeine typically provides an energy boost, too much of it can have the opposite affect. Writer, Emily Laurence lays out three reasons why you can get tired from coffee and what to do about it. Developing Tolerance: If you regularly consume coffee, your body can develop a high tolerance to the caffeine making it harder to drink enough to keep you awake. You can also suffer from withdrawal through headaches if you go without coffee. Substituting your daily intake with decaf coffee, herbal tea, or golden...
Are You Asleep or Are You Awake? Or Are You Both at the Same Time?!!
Have you heard of asymmetrical sleep? It means that one side of the brain is less active, sometimes experiencing deep sleep while the other side remains active, or awake. Usually, both hemispheres of the brain have similar or symmetrical brain activity when you sleep. Many mammals and birds have periods of time when one half of their brain is awake while the other hemisphere is sleeping, allowing them to remain alert while still getting some shut-eye. This aids in avoiding predators or other potential dangers. Also, birds in migration and other animals on the move can still sleep while their body keeps going. But, this...
Are you Losing Sleep over Sleep?
Do you find yourself awake at night because you are stressed about losing sleep? If so, you are caught in the vicious cycle of insomnia. We all have moments of temporary sleeplessness, but if you have chronic insomnia, your lack of sleep builds up, and can cause more serious health issues. Studies show that the adrenaline that prevents sleep for insomniacs speeds up their metabolism meaning the body works overtime and therefore you are exhausted and less able to function during the day. Luckily, there are ways to break this cycle of sleeplessness. Good sleep practices and managing stress can...
As Seasons Change, So Can Your Sleep Patterns
Fall colors mean shorter days as we head toward winter. And while shorter days and colder weather can be the perfect reason to cozy up in your warm bed, the change in seasons may create some challenges not just for falling asleep but also for staying asleep. How can you ensure the change of seasons doesn't negatively affect your sleep? Writer Emily Laurence gives some great advice directly from a sleep-medicine specialist: Stay Bright: Yes, light is a big factor in sleepiness. Melatonin is a sleep-regulating hormone and is affected by energizing light. So, keeping your space well-lit as the sun...
The Pros & Cons of Common Sleeping Positions
You likely don't think a lot about your body's position while you sleep. As long as you're asleep, why does your position matter? Well, your body placement may affect your health substantially according to new studies. Check out the following pros and cons and discover whether your sleeping position is helping or hindering your health. 1) Back Sleepers Pros: Slumbering face-up can be good for your spine, particularly if you put a soft pillow or rolled up towel under your knees to facilitate natural curvature of your spine. A healthy and happy spine leads to a healthy posture, and sleeping face up allows...
The Sweet Sounds of Sleep
Did you know that the average American sleeps a full hour less than we did in the 1940's? Poor sleep is linked to diseases such as Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes. If you go untreated for a sleep disorder, you are more susceptible to these diseases. And that's not all - poor sleep also affects mental health. When we are sleep-deprived, many parts of our body mentally and physically suffer. As if that isn't enough, quality of sleep also affects our health and well-being in many other ways. Sleep scientist, Dan Gartenberg has focused his research on the most regenerative...