Sleep Management + Original Articles

Getting a good night’s sleep does more than banish under eye circles. It has benefits for your heart, mind, and more. If you're a night owl, you may be missing out on the important benefits—both physical and mental—of hitting the hay earlier. Many people get distracted watching television or surfing the Internet into the wee hours of the morning leaving them tired and irritable the next day.

What's the connection between poor sleep habits and loss of memory? Quite a lot, say University of California researchers. Can't remember the last time you got a good night's sleep? This memory lapse may not be a coincidence, according to a groundbreaking study from the University of California. Scientists there have discovered that poor sleeping patterns as you age may be causing cognitive issues.

If you've ever woken in a state of alarm and felt your heart pounding in your chest, you know how frightening a nighttime panic attack can be. Here's how to zero in on the cause so you can sleep more soundly. If you've ever woken up in a complete panic, you know what a frightening experience it can be. Your breathing quickens, your heart feels like it is beating so hard it might come out of your chest, and you feel irrationally afraid. "I see this sort of thing all the time," says Carl Bazil, MD, director of the Epilepsy Sleep Division of the Department of Neurology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.

Do you often wake up with an aching back? Use these techniques to limber up. Readers ask all the time: What can I do to ease my stiff, sore back? We've got seven tips for how to stretch, sleep, tone and limber up that will take the ache away. 1. Sleep Better. Sometimes, getting out of bed can be the toughest part of the day.

If you wake up with neck or back pain or find yourself sleeping in awkward positions, it may be time to shop for a new pillow. You invest lots of time into picking just the right bed for optimum comfort and rest, so it makes sense to put just as much effort into making sure you have the best pillow for your needs. If you suffer from neck or back pain when you wake in the morning, or if your pillow is older than you can remember, it may be time for a new one.

Here are actionable steps you can take to deal with this common symptom of multiple sclerosis. Disturbed sleep, depression, symptom flare-ups, overheating, and normal, everyday activities all contribute to the fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis. There are steps you can take in almost every area of your life to help combat these feelings of extreme exhaustion.

Avoid the mid-afternoon slump by sitting up straight, cutting down on carbs, and going for a brisk walk. Remaining awake and alert all day shouldn't be all that hard, but it takes a rare individual not to succumb to that mid-afternoon slump. But for some, it's much more severe than simply feeling drowsy. "It's certainly normal to have a little dip of energy during the day," says Shelby Harris, Psy D, CBSM, director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program in the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

Feel invigorated during the darker months with these four expert how-to tips. The cold, gray days of winter can leave you feeling lethargic. It can be hard to stay enthusiastic and focused in the face of zero-degree wind chills and a dearth of sunlight. At this time of year, it's more critical than ever that you eat well and maintain good sleep habits in order to power through the season in fine form.

Certain soothing sounds can make a world of difference toward the quality of your sleep, and how you feel when you wake up. The popularity of nighttime sound machines is a testament to the fact that noise has a profound effect on how well we sleep. The right noises can help you settle down and drift off, while the wrong ones will jar you awake, as anyone who has ever shared a bedroom with a snorer can attest.

You know the feeling. You've been lying in bed, unable to fall asleep. Should you try counting more sheep? The answer may surprise you. According to Dr. Brant Hasler, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh Sleep and Chronobiology Center, once you've been lying in bed for 15 or 20 minutes, it's time to get up and do something else. That's right—leave the bed and stop trying so hard.

Scale stuck in neutral? You might be missing out on one essential weight-loss ingredient. If you're still a few pounds shy of your goal weight, consider this: You simply may not be getting enough sleep to achieve the silhouette you're aiming for. Too many people skimp on rest, and their waistlines reveal it. Diet and exercise do make a difference, of course, but for many folks the missing part of the weight-loss puzzle is adequate sleep.

Take a page from the olden days and get enough rest despite the challenges of today's modern life. Have you ever wondered if a good night's sleep was more easily achieved a century ago than today? While our basic human need for rest remains the same, the landscape of modern life looks very different than it did 100 or more years ago. And while some developments have made life easier, certain inventions have made it harder to get much-needed rest: Electronics.

These inspiring facts could mean the difference between the idea of working out in the AM and really doing it. Want to feel more energetic in the morning? A cup of coffee may be a non-negotiable part of your a.m. routine, but something else you should try is exercise. If the thought of breaking a sweat when you're barely alert makes you want to crawl back under the covers, consider the following reasons for lacing up your sneakers early in the day: 1.

Have you experienced these? Some are notable but harmless and others could require medical treatment. For some people, the wee hours are anything but restful. Here's a rundown of some of the wackiest sleep-related behaviors that can occur, and what to do about them: 1. Sleepeating Imagine waking in the morning and discovering that you had raided the fridge—maybe more than once.

You can grab a few z's on your bus or train ride, but what the downside of doing so? If you've ever commuted by public transportation, you understand the temptation to close your eyes and catch a few winks. Whether you rise before dawn to catch the train to the city or make the last bus home after an evening meeting, chances are you're tired as you travel.

If you sleep very little at night and take long afternoon naps to try to compensate, a technique known as Sleep Restriction Therapy could be for you. If you've got insomnia, you've probably given in to the urge to take a daytime nap. The problem with allowing yourself a little afternoon snooze is that it perpetuates the cycle of difficult sleep. Getting just enough daytime to rest to take the edge off your exhaustion means you'll be less motivated to sleep at night.

It has nothing to do with flying and everything to do with your sleep schedule on weekdays vs. weekends. See if you match the pattern. If you're like many people, you have a set bedtime and wakeup time from Monday through Friday. On weekends, however, anything goes. The problem is this: If you go to bed and get up at different times on different days, you may suffer the side effects of a phenomenon known as social jet lag.

A morning shower to shake off grogginess or a sleep-inducing shower before bed? Our experts weigh in. Do you have a favorite time of day to shower, or do you grab the opportunity whenever it arises? Lots of people feel they don't come to full alertness until after a morning shower, but if you have trouble falling asleep at night, you may want to put off your daily cleansing ritual until evening.

Left-side snoozers live differently than those who sleep on the right. What's the deal? If you're one of those people who must sleep on a particular side of the bed, you're not alone. For many folks, it's entirely possible to get up on the wrong side of the bed. But does your personal preference reveal certain things about your personality? An unscientific study by a British hotel chain maintains that it does.

Meditation can be done almost anywhere at any time, costs nothing, and could make a positive impact on your sleep. If you suffer from insomnia, you might consider meditation as a sleep aid. This ancient practice centers on clearing your mind of intrusive thoughts and attaining a deep state of relaxation and self-awareness. While meditation is not a scientifically proven way to get more sleep, studies do suggest that it helps.

Here's an easy exercise to try if your brain keeps buzzing when you lie down to sleep at night. If you're like many people, you climb into bed at night with a brain that's still buzzing from all the worries of the day. Instead of relaxing and letting go, you stress over work projects that aren't finished, realize that you still haven't bought peanut butter for the kids' lunches, and wonder exactly what that weird noise is that your car is making.

Your body temperature is set on a cycle. Understanding how it works can help you manage it. Are you always reaching for a sweater during the day, no matter what the weather, but find yourself uncomfortably warm at night? Or is it the opposite—you're one of those people who can't seem to cool off except while you're sleeping? And how come your body just can't seem to get in synch and keep you comfortable no matter what the time of day or night? The underlying reason for these discrepancies is that our body temperatures fluctuate depending on the time of day.

Looking to add more summer fun in the great outdoors? Be sure to bring these items with you when you spend the night al fresco. Why should kids in summer camp have all the fun? If you're looking for a refreshing change in your routine, one that may give you better rest and a happier outlook, you should consider spending a night or two out under the stars communing with nature.

Although they exist to treat medical problems and make us well, hospitals are some of the noisiest, least restful places to be. And all that noise can impair recovery. If you're recovering from a major illness or surgery, you need as much rest as you can get. Those lucky enough to recuperate at home will probably find the quiet conducive to healing. But those stuck in the hospital are not so fortunate. A recent small study conducted by experts at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston found that hospital noise can be a significant disrupter of crucial rest.

You hear something's good for you, and tomorrow you hear it's bad. Here's how to solve the puzzle when it comes to health claims. One day aspirin is good for you; the next day's report says it's linked to some sort of rare disease. If you follow medical news closely, it's not that surprising to find contradictory or conflicting information during the same week's news. Trying to stay on top of medical information—and use it to improve your health—can be quite challenging.

Sleep is essential for health. Here's what's most important to strive for when trying to rest. Getting your z's in many ways makes you invincible since sleep is essential for your mind and body to operate at full capacity. Research has shown that too little sleep results in more accidents on the road and at home, daytime sleepiness, concentration difficulties, poor job and school performance, increased weight gain, and health issues.

There are real health consequences when this finds its way into your bedroom. Why does even subtle light have such a disruptive influence on your sleep/wake cycles? Your body regulates itself via a natural hormone called melatonin that's manufactured in the brain's pineal gland. Melatonin is secreted in the evening, causing sleepiness, and levels stay high throughout the night to keep you asleep.

Adjust to time change and overcome fatigue with these simple tips. The lethargy, fatigue, and moodiness associated with jet lag can make the first days of any trip almost unbearable. Even though it's a temporary disorder, jet lag can throw your internal clock for a loop which can make it difficult for you to bounce back.

Avoiding exercise. Skimping on sleep. Dressing too drab. Fix these flubs, plus five other offenses. Are you giving your age the respect it deserves? Ask yourself if you're committing any of these eight offenses: Assuming that aging means accepting declining health or beauty. You hear it every day: "I'm not as healthy (pretty, vibrant, strong) as I used to be, but that's what you get with aging.

If you fight to stay alert and productive when 3:00 p.m. rolls around, here's how to overcome your lag. You know the feeling: heavy eyelids staring wearily at the clock that cruelly reads 3:00 p.m. Afternoon fatigue, otherwise known as the afternoon slump, is an all too common occurrence has become part of working life. What's Causing Your Tired Eyes? Disrupted sleep.

It's not just a childhood issue. For many adults nighttime accidents are a reality. Estimates are that as many as two percent of adults still have trouble controlling their bladder while asleep. Whether this is a continuation of a youthful problem or it's onset later in life, it's universally embarrassing and can have a substantial impact on quality of life.

Before you pack your bags and move, try these smart tips for overcoming noisy neighbors. Unless you live on an isolated patch of land, dealing with noisy neighbors is a fact of life. Apartment dwellers naturally hear more neighbor noise than those in private homes, but even suburban cul-de-sacs can be beset by barking dogs, summer parties, and car alarms.

See the surprising reason why smokers have a hard time getting healthy amounts of sleep. There are plenty of compelling reasons to quit smoking, and recent research has uncovered one more: Smokers don't sleep as well as nonsmokers. In fact, they're about four times less likely to report refreshing sleep. One surprising reason? Nicotine withdrawal.

Is there substance to the idea that you can predict the future in your sleep? If you've ever had a true psychic dream, you're in the minority. According to Letitia Sweitzer, MEd, ACC, an Atlanta-based life coach who co-authored a book on dreams that come true, only about 10 percent of people have had what she considers a compelling psychic-dream story.

This sleep disorder can do more than interrupt your rest. Does your spouse complain about your frequent snoring? Are you still tired when you wake in the morning? Do you often take afternoon naps? If so, you may be suffering from a condition called sleep apnea, or obstructed sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is the most common sleep disorder.

Perk yourself up when you need it most with these easy solutions. Everyone has natural energy peaks and slumps throughout the day. Ideally, you know when you work best and have scheduled your to-do list to reflect this, but sometimes life requires that we get things done even when we're feeling sluggish. 1. See the Light If you're stuck in a dark room, your mood may come to reflect your surroundings and you may feel grumpy and sleepy.

If your loved one suffers from scary sleep disturbances, here are facts you should know. If your child or loved one suffers from frequent scary sleep disturbances, here's how to tell whether the problem is night terrors or nightmares and what you can do about them. Night Terrors Also known as sleep terrors, these are more common in children than adults.

Learn how this hormone, secreted by the brain, plays a role in diabetes risk. Melatonin is regarded by many as a sleep aid, something to take on nights when insomnia is keeping them from getting a good night's rest. But did you know the hormone also plays a key role in your body? "Melatonin is important in regulating your body's clock," says Ronald Goldberg, MD, of the Diabetes Research Institute in Hollywood, Florida.

Here are some surprising connections between how you rest and your cardiovascular health. Once upon a time, the sun went down and people went to sleep; the sun came up and people started their day. Even if your great grandparents did wake up in the middle of the night, they didn't have television or the internet to entice them to stay awake.

If you want to sleep well at night and be alert during the day, when's the best time to wash up? Our expert weighs in. Do you have a favorite time of day to shower, or do you grab the opportunity whenever it arises? Lots of people feel they don't come to full alertness until after a morning shower, but if you have trouble falling asleep at night, you may want to put off your daily cleansing ritual until evening.

If your spouse complains that you move frequently at night, you may have this condition. A person with Periodic Limb Movement during Sleep (PLMS) experiences repetitive movements, usually in the legs, about every 10 to 90 seconds. The episodes last for a few seconds each and may continue for hours. Regardless of whether you're awake during the episodes, your sleep surely is being disrupted.

Can a bite before bed cause you to have vivid dreams or even nightmares? Here's what one study says. Have you ever eaten an unusually late dinner or snack and found that you had exceptionally vivid dreams—or even nightmares? You may have wondered if it was the food that caused the dreams. While scientific evidence on the food-dream connection is modest at best, anecdotal evidence and at least one small study suggest that it may exist.

There's no debating the stress of some jobs. But even enjoyable work can encourage mood disorders. Work, even enjoyable work, can cause extreme stress, which may lead to mood disorders and depression. Some researchers suspect that growing worker stress may be associated with the increasing prevalence of depressive disorders and suicide, but they are still trying to unravel whether it's coincidence or cause and effect.

Men can prevent health risks by paying attention to changes in their body and seeing their doctor when something isn't right. When it comes to scheduling doctor visits, some men are notorious procrastinators. But this can be risky. Routine preventive care can find diseases in the early stages when there are more options for treatment and better chances of treating the issue.

Sleep patterns shift as you age. Here's what you are experiencing and what to expect. Have you always been a good sleeper, but suddenly can't seem to go more than a few hours without waking? Does your teen, who, as a grade-schooler, used to rise at dawn, now snooze until noon on weekends? How about your elderly father, who seems to be napping every time you call? What's happening with all these shifting sleep patterns? The most dramatic changes tend to take place in childhood.

Some people do. Open-eyed sleeping is a recognized medical condition. If you've ever seen someone sleeping with his eyes partially open, you know it can be jarring. The image of an open-eyed sleeper can be corpse-like, and you may find yourself tempted to try to close the eyes without waking the person. Lagophthalmos, or the inability to fully close one's eyes, can be caused by a variety of reasons.

Do you sleep or cuddle after sex? New research says your choices might reflect on your relationship. For some people, happiness is curling up for a post-sex snuggle. For others, it's conking out immediately. Scientists at the University of Michigan and Albright College recruited 456 heterosexual undergraduates to fill out anonymous online surveys about their behavior and their partners' behavior after intercourse.

Here's how what works for baby could also give you a better night's rest. If you've had a baby in the last two decades, you may be familiar with sleep training. Sleep training, popularized by a pediatrician who studies sleep disorders in children, teaches babies to become more independent and be able to fall asleep without parental comforting.

Insomnia affects more than 70 million Americans. Find out more about what's keeping you awake at night. "To sleep, perchance to dream." Shakespeare's famed words sound so tranquil, but if you've ever read Hamlet, you know the story's about to take a bad turn. For many Americans, sleep is also a maddening prospect representing hours of tossing and turning with little to show for it other than the eventual fatigue, irritability, and exhaustion.

Can't get a good night's sleep? Follow these easy guidelines. If you can't seem to get a good night's sleep, you're not alone-more than 70 million Americans suffer from sleep problems, according to the National Institutes of Health. The good news is, many of these issues can be solved by simply changing your daily routine and creating a better sleep environment.

Diabetes is a lifelong disease, but these tips can make it easier to manage the condition. According to the American Diabetes Association, more the 25 million Americans are living with diabetes. Try these tips to help manage the condition and prevent the serious complications associated with the disease. 1. Follow a balanced diet. A low-fat eating plan with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help keep blood sugar at healthy levels.

Many people successfully kick the habit, and you can too. Here, the top 10 benefits of smoke-free living. Although the health risks associated with smoking are irrefutable, many people have difficulty butting out. After all, nicotine is a powerful drug, and when smokers quit, they can experience withdrawal symptoms ranging from anger and irritability to headaches and insomnia.

Feeling stressed out? Regain your calm with these tips. Sometimes daily life can get the best of us, and our stress levels can zoom off the charts. Family issues, workplace worries, and day-to-day obligations can take a toll on how we feel, both physically and emotionally. To ease feelings of anxiety or tension, try these methods of stress reduction: 1.

Don't expect to lose 10 pounds overnight, but you can take steps to help your body rid itself of bloating while you sleep, which could result in a flatter tummy the next morning. You can wake up slimmer than when you went to bed the night before—if you adhere to this important list of to-dos: Drink plenty of water during the day. You don't want to ingest enough to fill a tanker truck—overconsumption of water can be dangerous.

This supplement is a widely recommended alternative to prescription and over-the-counter sleep medications, but some studies show it's not effective. So should you try it? The flowering plant, valerian, contains various compounds that may help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. It's also used to treat anxiety and abdominal cramps. The most studied, most widely available, and seemingly most effective species of valerian is Valerian officinalis, which is native to northern European countries.

Approximately two-thirds of adults watch TV in the hour before they go to bed. If you have ongoing sleep problems, ask yourself if you're one of them. Watching the tube before bed may seem like a good way to wind down for the evening to help you relax and fall asleep. And according to Dr. Helene M. Emsellem, author of Snooze...Or Lose, this may be true. But only if you watch TV for a very short period of time, keeping the sound low, and viewing something that's nonviolent and non-stimulating.

When you're sleep-deprived, you're more likely to take chances and make reckless decisions. What do brain scans reveal about being overtired? Your ability to make smart decisions can be lost when you lack sleep. You may take chances you wouldn't ordinarily take, have a false sense of what you can accomplish, and if you're a gambler or an over-spender, the results could be disastrous. When getting a good night's sleep is difficult, engaging in risky behavior such as mindless spending is that much easier because you don't have the wherewithal to stop yourself.

While no one claims getting up on a frigid day is easy, here are the steps you can take to make the whole experience bearable. Here's how to get moving and face the day—without getting frostbite: Programmable timers. Before you go to bed, lower the temperature on your thermostat to help you save on heating costs, then program its timer to a higher temperature about half an hour before you wake up so your room is warm.

Some things that sap your energy are no surprise, like being awake all night with a sick child or eating a heavy meal, but there are other energy depleters that are less obvious. Don't let any of the following cause your lethargy: 1. Too much time in an urban environment. You may love the city for its excitement. Yet researchers have determined that a dearth of nature can be draining. A University of Michigan study found that subjects who walked in a local park scored better on cognitive functioning tests afterward than those who strolled through a small city's downtown.

Some believe that dreams hold the key to solving nagging problems and triggering creative energy. Here are tips on how to delve into your subconscious sleeping mind. Experts say we have multiple dreams every night, but we rarely, if ever, remember them. Other than fleeting scenes here and there that may stay with us, most of our nighttime imagery is lost as soon as the alarm clock goes off. Scientifically, dream recall is a pretty murky area.

Hypnotherapy or hypnosis works by training your body to relax and your thoughts to focus. This deeply relaxed state can leave you open to changing your usual behavior. Touted by some as a cure for all kinds of medical and behavioral problems, hypnotherapy or hypnosis has the stamp of approval from both the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association as a valid medical procedure. The National Institutes of Health also approve it as a treatment for chronic pain.

The keys to picking the perfect nighttime snack are to practice portion control and combine two essential types of foods. If you feel like you need a little something in your stomach before you turn in for the night, you're far from alone. It's a good idea to make sure your appetite is satisfied before shutting the light, as you don't want hunger pangs waking you in the middle of the night.

Studies demonstrate that proper napping techniques can relax your mind and focus your thoughts. What's the right way to catch some z's? If you have a cat or dog, you may envy their ability to nap throughout the day. Unlike our pets and most other mammals, however, humans sleep during specific blocks of time. According to the National Sleep Foundation, it's not clear this is our natural pattern.

It’s hard to sleep when your head hurts, you’re all stuffed up, and your breathing is compromised. Here’s how to soothe your symptoms and get some much-needed shut-eye. The average cold can last up to two weeks, and that's way too long to go without a full night's rest. You know it's a cold—and not the flu—if you feel congested and your symptoms are confined to your head, nose, and throat. You're not congested because you're full of mucus, however, you're congested because the blood vessels in your upper respiratory tract are inflamed, causing the lining of your nasal passages and throat to swell up.

This insomnia remedy is making a real splash in certain circles. See what recent studies say. Never mind the over-the-counter and prescription pills that can have numerous side effects, achieving a better night's sleep naturally might be as easy as downing a glass of tart cherry juice. Scientists at Northumbria University in England initially discovered the link between tart cherry juice and better sleep when they studied the drink for its exercise-recovery properties.

The keys to picking the perfect nighttime snack are to practice portion control and combine two essential types of foods. If you feel like you need a little something in your stomach before you turn in for the night, you're far from alone. It's a good idea to make sure your appetite is satisfied before shutting the light, as you don't want hunger pangs waking you in the middle of the night.

Hypnotherapy or hypnosis works by training your body to relax and your thoughts to focus. And in many cases this deeply relaxed state can leave you open to changing your usual behavior. Touted by some as a cure for all kinds of medical and behavioral problems, hypnotherapy or hypnosis is not always taken seriously. This is despite the fact that both the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association have given it their stamp of approval as a valid medical procedure.

If you have Erectile Dysfunction (ED), getting your sex life back on track is probably a top priority. As a first step, consider whether these lifestyle changes are at the root of your sexual woes. If you have Erectile Dysfunction (ED), getting your sex life back on track is probably a big concern. The condition often has a lot to do with lifestyle, experts say. "Erectile dysfunction is a subject that is near and dear to our hearts," says Carol Ash, a hospitalist at Meridian Health New Jersey in Red Bank, NJ.

While java will give you a jolt, you have other pick-me-up options that may be less jarring to your system. Consider forgoing the caffeine for a protein-rich snack. If you've ever been hit with the 3 p.m. sleepies (and who hasn't?), you may have been tempted to head to the nearest coffee bar for a caffeine infusion. But while java will give you a jolt, you have other pick-me-up options that may be less jarring to your system.

Several studies have shown that lack of sleep has a profound effect on your mental well-being and that, for some people, chronic insomnia increases the risk of developing a psychological disorder such as depression or anxiety. You know how you feel after a restless or sleepless night—grouchy, stressed out, and just plain awful! The longer you go without a good night's sleep, the worse you feel. Here's what you can do to get your sleep habits—and your mood—back on track.

If diet or lifestyle habits are at the root of your bloating or gas overload, there are steps you can take during the day to avoid having problems at night. Everyone produces gas while digesting food and, once formed, and that gas has to go somewhere. Throughout the day and night, normal amounts of gas pass through your body unnoticed, but any build-up of excess gas usually makes itself known. If it passes through your mouth, you burp.

When you don't get enough sleep, it becomes difficult to focus your attention and manage your emotions. You lose perspective. It is as if you become a different person than who you are when you are well rested. No one knows exactly why we are designed to sleep, but just about everyone knows what happens when we don't. If you are one of the estimated 50 to 70 million Americans who suffer from chronic sleep loss, you are probably feeling the consequences right now.

Taking a hot bath every evening is a natural way to decrease stress and anxiety, and ease yourself into a good night's sleep. Here's how to make this pre-bedtime ritual work for you. Taking a hot bath every evening is a natural way to decrease stress and anxiety, and ease yourself into a good night's sleep. Here's how to make this pre-bedtime ritual work for you. Timing is Everything Figure out how much sleep you need and what time you need to go to bed to get that amount.

Some experts say that even if you are a night owl by nature, you can transform yourself into a morning lark and be more productive during the day. Here's how. Some experts say that even if you are a night owl by nature, you can transform yourself into a morning lark and be more productive during the day. These tips, for exercising in the morning to changing your sleep habits, may seem obvious—as you may have tried some of them from time to time to no avail—but the secret to a successful switch is to be consistent.

If you have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep, there may be a simple solution. If you have primary insomnia, that is, if you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep and it's not due to a medical problem, it is quite possible that one of your routine habits is to blame. Eating big dinners, drinking alcoholic beverages, sleeping in a hot room, exercising late in the day, and smoking cigarettes can all prevent you from getting a good night's sleep.

If you're sawing logs at night, it's important to find out if it's just a noisy nuisance or a sign of a serious sleep disorder. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but everyone who has sleep apnea snores. If you're sawing logs at night, it's important to find out if it's just a noisy nuisance or a sign of a serious sleep disorder. Snoring is a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, a serious medical condition that results in blocked airflow while you sleep.

Researchers have found that night owls tend to eat twice as much junk food and weigh more than people who go to bed on the early side and wake up with the sun. Yes, it can. Researchers have found that night owls—people who routinely stay up late and sleep in the next morning—tend to eat twice as much junk food and weigh more than people who go to bed on the early side and wake up with the sun. For some people, "early to bed, early to rise" just doesn't cut it.

This drugstore staple is often overlooked in our search for the best health and beauty aids. But there are some good reasons to add this affordable compound to your shopping cart. This drugstore staple is often overlooked in our search for the best health and beauty aids. But there are some good reasons to add this affordable compound to your shopping cart. Epsom Salt—or magnesium sulfate—is a pure mineral compound and essential electrolyte that many of us need more of in our diet.

If you wake up with a wet pillow, it may just be a normal effect of sleeping on your stomach or your side. In some cases, however, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. If you wake up with a wet pillow, it may just be a normal effect of sleeping on your stomach or your side. In some cases, however, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. Saliva coats your mouth and throat, makes it easier to swallow, helps food taste better, and keeps the area clean by washing away leftover food particles.

Get that overdue good night's rest you need by committing to these essential to-dos. Learn how you should sleep and what foods you should avoid to prevent the burn from ruining your night. If you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling refreshed in the morning, you're not alone. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about 40 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders and 20 million more have occasional bouts of disrupted sleep.

If you're caught up in a cycle of sleepless nights, there's a drug-free way to get back on track: Make love more often. If you're caught up in a cycle of sleepless nights, there's a drug-free way to get back on track: Make love more often. Whenever you read tips for beating insomnia, you probably see the advice to use your bed (and bedroom) only for sleeping and sex.

A good meal should boost your energy, not leave you feeling sapped. A good meal should boost your energy, not leave you feeling sapped. Here's what you can do to avoid post-meal fatigue. 1. Eat light.  Heavy meals, especially those rich in carbohydrates, help boost your levels of the brain chemical serotonin, which is responsible for the "tired but content" feeling that often comes after a holiday dinner, but can occur after any big meal.

The typical smartphone user checks his phone an average of 34 times per day. What’s more, many people who compulsively check their cellphones are unaware that they are doing it. If you haven't done it yourself, you've certainly seen it: A group of people at a social gathering who, instead of conversing with each other, are pecking away at their cell phones. While this situation may sound strange, it's actually very common. A recent study in the journal Personal and Ubiquitous Computing found that the typical smartphone user checked their phone an average of 34 times per day.

The best time to go to bed is the time that ensures you get enough sleep before you have to get up each day to go to work or school or take care of your home life. Early to bed, early to rise? That's good. Late to bed, late to rise? For some people, that's good too. Your body's best bedtime is the time that works best for you. The best time to go to bed is the time that ensures you get enough sleep before you have to get up each day to go to work or school or take care of your home life.

Also known as "dream sleep," REM (rapid eye movement) is the stage of sleep when your brain processes your thoughts and memories from the day. Also known as "dream sleep," REM (rapid eye movement) is the stage of sleep when your brain processes your thoughts and memories from the day. While you are sleeping, your brain moves through a series of sleep cycles that repeat themselves about every hour and a half, or five times, throughout the night.

As if bloating, cramping, breast pain, and mood swings weren't enough, the long list of symptoms that can affect women with premenstrual syndrome also includes trouble falling asleep. Here's what to do if it happens to you. As if bloating, cramping, breast pain, and mood swings weren't enough, the long list of symptoms that can affect women with premenstrual syndrome also includes trouble falling asleep. Here's what to do if it happens to you. Not all women suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS), but if you're one of them, you certainly know it.

A number of possible factors can make you more susceptible to having an asthma attack at night. Read on to find out what they are and what you can do about them. If you battle your worst asthma symptoms at night and wake up many mornings still feeling tired and out of sorts, you could have nocturnal asthma. As the name implies, this is when asthma strikes at night causing shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and/or chest pressure.

If you're living with a sleepwalker, here's what you should know before your child takes his next nighttime stroll. Encountering a sleepwalker can be a bit bizarre. Like the classic horror film, Night of the Living Dead where zombie-like figures walk around scaring ordinary folks, sleepwalkers appear awake but aren't. Their unusual behavior can be upsetting to parents and siblings but most incidences of sleep walking are benign and generally cease during adolescence.

More than a snuggle buddy, a body-length pillow can improve your bedtime posture and help you get a better night's sleep by relieving common aches and pains that are keeping you awake. Have you hugged your pillow lately? More than a snuggle buddy, a body-length pillow can improve your bedtime posture and help you get a better night's sleep by relieving common aches and pains that are keeping you awake. If you're pregnant, or suffer from arthritis, back pain, or sore muscles resulting from an injury or pain after surgery, a full-length body pillow can provide support to your entire body and help keep your spine aligned while you sleep.

There are you, peacefully dozing off, and then, whoa! Your body does a sudden jerk and you're awake again. For the most part, these body spasms are considered normal. But sometimes they're not. There are you, peacefully dozing off, and then, whoa! Your body does a sudden jerk and you're awake again. For the most part, these body spasms are considered normal. But sometimes they're not. Hypnic jerks, or sleep starts, are normal leg, arm, or full-body twitches that occur just as you're about to fall asleep.

You may have considered participating in a clinical trial. But are you a good candidate? And what's in it for you? Reading about the latest miracle medication to hit the market after success in clinical trials, you may have wondered who are these people who offer themselves up to science? You may even have considered participating in a clinical trial yourself. But are you a good candidate? And what's in it for you? Advantages 1.

Tempted to sleep out in a hammock on a warm summer night? Or take a hammock nap in the late afternoon? It may turn out to be the best sleep you ever got. Tempted to sleep out in a hammock on a warm summer night? Or take a hammock nap in the late afternoon? It may turn out to be the best sleep you ever got. If you're a parent, you know that rocking a baby is the best way to get him to sleep. If you have a grandmother, you may have seen how quickly she falls asleep in a rocking chair.

The MSLT helps confirm a diagnosis of narcolepsy, a condition in which a person suddenly loses muscle control and falls asleep, or idiopathic hypersomnia, which is excess or inappropriate daytime sleepiness without an apparent cause. Most sleep studies are performed overnight so your doctor can monitor your sleep patterns and behavior. But you may also benefit from another test that assesses just how sleepy you are during daytime hours. The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) looks at how overtired you are during the day.

Hypersomnia is a word used to describe excessive sleepiness at times when you should actually be feeling well rested. If you consistently feel drowsy in spite of a good night's sleep, there are several possible causes and many potential treatments. Hypersomnia is a word used to describe excessive sleepiness at times when you should actually be feeling well rested. If you consistently feel drowsy in spite of a good night's sleep, there are several possible causes and many potential treatments. It makes sense to feel tired and feel the need for a nap if you didn't sleep well or at all the night before.

If you've had bouts of short-term insomnia in the past, you can probably predict when it's likely to happen again. The first thing to do is to stop anticipating trouble. Worrying about insomnia only makes insomnia worse. If you've had bouts of short-term insomnia in the past, you can probably predict when it's likely to happen again. The first thing to do is to stop anticipating trouble. Worrying about insomnia only makes insomnia worse. Here's what else you can do to avoid sleepless nights.

Don't let fibromyalgia rob you of the pep of a productive morning. These seven tips will help you give you the start you deserve. Fatigue is one of the hallmark symptoms of fibromyalgia and many experience it most acutely in the morning. What can you do about morning fatigue due to fibromyalgia? Try these seven tips to start your days off right. 1. Get a good night's rest. Insomnia, restless leg syndrome, pain, and frequent waking are common with fibromyalgia.

Work in the United States has become a 24-hour phenomenon. Working irregular hours may also lead to a condition characterized by insomnia, excessive sleepiness during work, difficulties concentrating, headaches, and lack of energy. Work in the United States has become a 24-hour phenomenon. Many workers, such as healthcare providers, must be available at all hours, and increasingly, companies are adding shifts to accommodate customers and vendors in different time zones. Non-standard work schedules, which includes evenings, nights, weekends, and shift work are common.

Although many experts encourage exercise earlier in the day to help you fall asleep easier at night, those in the know say that an evening workout might just work out for you. Exercising before bed: Will it keep you up or put you to sleep? Although many experts encourage exercise earlier in the day to help you fall asleep easier at night, those in the know say that an evening workout might just work out for you. Overall, exercise has been proven to improve sleep quality in people who have insomnia as well as those who don't have serious sleep problems.

Although a few short nights can make us cranky and irritable, generally our mood returns to normal once we've resumed our regular sleeping routine. For individuals who struggle with depression, however, insomnia can be a chronic problem. Although a few short nights can make us cranky and irritable, generally our mood returns to normal once we've resumed our regular sleeping routine. For individuals who struggle with depression, however, insomnia can be a chronic problem. The symptoms of depression and insomnia overlap and there's a direct relationship between the two.

Color counts. For instance, red is an intense color that some people associate with passion and eroticism, but color experts point out it can also evoke feelings of anger and aggression. If you are sensitive to your environment, the color of your curtains, your rug, your bedding and the walls that surround you can influence how you feel when you're trying to relax before falling asleep. The psychological effects of color have not been studied extensively and the results of those studies performed have not always been consistent.

If you're tired of being jolted from your sleep by the sudden sound of a jarring alarm clock, there's a more pleasant way. Try beginning your day with a simulated sunrise or enticing aromas to soothe you into the world of the awake. If you're tired of being jolted from your sleep by the sudden sound of a jarring alarm clock, there's a more pleasant way. Try beginning your day with a simulated sunrise, emanating from a natural light clock or enticing aromas to soothe you into the world of the awake.

Sometimes it's hard to decipher between a few restless nights and full-blown insomnia. Here's help in figuring out the difference as well as steps you can take to get a good night's sleep. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between a few restless nights and full-blown insomnia. Here's help in figuring out the difference as well as steps you can take to get a restful night's sleep. If there was one definition for normal sleep, it might be easier to know the difference between mild sleeping difficulties and true insomnia.

Here's how to use this aromatic herb to calm your senses and relax your mind. Lotions, potions, and perfumes scented with lavender oil can soothe restless nerves and help you drift off to dreamland. Here's how to use this aromatic herb to calm your senses and relax your mind. The strong and distinct scent of lavender originates in the essential oils found in every petal of the plant's colorful flowers.

Covers are used to encase mattresses and pillows and protect against allergens, body fluids, and bed bugs. Here's what you need to know about safeguarding your bedding. Sure, you want to protect your investment, and mattress and pillow covers do just that. They encase the bedding to protect against allergens, body fluids and bed bugs.Before you start shopping, here's what you need to know, depending on what you need.

If your bed partner accuses you of nasty behavior in the middle of the night, you may be one of the few people who have a problem with sleep aggression. Sleep aggression is one of several known parasomnias, or sleep disorders that are characterized by unusual or disturbing experiences upon arousal, such as sleepwalking, sleep eating, teeth grinding, sleep talking, bedwetting, and night terrors. Aggressive...

If you wake up with bad breath every morning, join the club. Very few people can escape it, and no one starts the day with a minty-fresh mouth. Fortunately, there are ways to tame the dragon. If you wake up with bad breath every morning, join the club. Very few people can escape it, and no one starts the day with a minty-fresh mouth. Fortunately, there are ways to fight the dragon. Bad breath in the morning can have many of the same causes as bad breath any other time of day: dry mouth, smoking, sinus problems, poor dental hygiene, or a stomach disorder, to name just a few.

If you often wake up to crumbs in your bed and have no idea where they came from, or if there are dirty dishes on your kitchen counter and you don't recall leaving them there, you may suffer from nocturnal sleep-related eating disorder. If you often wake up to crumbs in your bed and have no idea where they came from, or if there are dirty dishes on your kitchen counter and you don't recall leaving them there, you may suffer from nocturnal sleep-related eating disorder. There are many names for overeating at night: nocturnal eating syndrome, night-eating syndrome, sleep-related eating, sleep-eating disorder, and nocturnal sleep-related eating disorder (NSRED).

If you often wake up to crumbs in your bed and have no idea where they came from, or if there are dirty dishes on your kitchen counter and you don't recall leaving them there, you may suffer from nocturnal sleep-related eating disorder. If you often wake up to crumbs in your bed and have no idea where they came from, or if there are dirty dishes on your kitchen counter and you don't recall leaving them there, you may suffer from nocturnal sleep-related eating disorder. There are many names for overeating at night: nocturnal eating syndrome, night-eating syndrome, sleep-related eating, sleep-eating disorder, and nocturnal sleep-related eating disorder (NSRED).

Here's how to avoid common hotel disturbances and at the same time, be prepared for the worst. The problem with getting a good night's sleep in a hotel is that it can be so unpredictable. You won't know whether or not it's going to happen until you try. You may find yourself in a quiet, peacefully decorated room with a bed that's even more comfortable than your own.

The importance of sleep can't be over stated. But in our 24/7 society, many children have trouble drifting off. Melatonin works as a sleep-aid for many adults, so is it a good option for kids, too? The importance of sleep can't be over stated. Sleep matters... a lot. But in our 24/7 society, life is hectic and many children have trouble drifting off. Well-rested kids are better behaved at home and perform better in school. Tired kids have difficulty problem solving, staying focused, and just plain coping.

If you don't sleep easy in your own bed, you may have an especially hard time hunkering down on a plane. The best advice is to be as comfortable and sleep-ready as possible. Have you ever gotten on an aiplane and watched, with more than a little envy, as your seatmate buckled up and fell fast asleep, just minutes after take-off? If you don't sleep easy in your own bed, you may have an especially hard time hunkering down on a plane.

If you get all hot and sweaty while you're sleeping, and it has nothing to do with the temperature of the room, it could be a sign of a more serious medical condition. Everybody sweats. It is a natural response to heat, and it helps you maintain a normal body temperature in sweltering conditions. Excessive sweat is another story, however, especially when the air is cool and there is no other apparent reason. If that's the case, your night sweats may be linked to a more serious health condition.

If you're having trouble falling asleep at your normal bedtime every night, sleeping through the night, and waking up when you need to every morning, you may need to reset your inner clock. If you're having trouble falling asleep at your normal bedtime every night, sleeping through the night, and waking up when you need to every morning, you may need to reset your inner clock. Your circadian rhythm is the internal biological clock that helps you fall asleep in darkness and wake up to sunlight, in a constant pattern that repeats itself every 24 hours.

Nocturia, a condition that causes you to take several trips to the bathroom during the night because of an excessive need to urinate, not only disrupts your sleep cycle but could be a sign of a more serious medical problem. Nocturia, a condition that causes you to take several trips to the bathroom during the night because of an excessive need to urinate, not only disrupts your sleep cycle but could be a sign of a more serious medical problem. If you wake up several times a night because you have to urinate and this is becoming a habit, one thing is for certain.

Like thieves in the night, physical and mental health conditions can rob you of valuable dreamtime. To solve the problem, you have to get to the root of it, and treat it. Like thieves in the night, physical and mental health conditions can rob you of valuable dreamtime. To solve the problem, you have to get to the root of it, and treat it. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), approximately 35 percent of people who suffer from chronic insomnia have a mother or other family member with a history of sleep problems.

When it comes to kids and secondhand smoke, is there a safe level? And what does secondhand smoke affect? See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page! We know that smoking puts us at risk for countless health problems, especially cancer and heart disease. Despite the overwhelming evidence, many parents continue to smoke. In addition to compromising their own health, smoking parents put their children at risk for serious health issues by exposing them to secondhand smoke.

Certain hormones send hunger signals to your brain that let you know when it's time to eat. Other hormones send signals that tell your brain you're full and it's time to stop. And just like the rest of your body, those hormones don't work as well when you don't get enough sleep. See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page! Certain hormones send hunger signals to your brain that let you know when it's time to eat. Other hormones send signals that tell your brain you are full and it's time to stop. And just like the rest of your body, those hormones don't work as well when you don't get enough sleep.

Although little is understood about sleep talking, researchers and medical experts agree that it is rarely more than a fleeting disturbance in the night. Here's what they know. See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page! If you've got something to say, and you're saying it while you're asleep, you're a member of a select group of adult sleep talkers. Although little is understood about sleep talking, researchers and medical experts agree that it is rarely more than a fleeting disturbance in the night.

When Daylight Saving Time arrives, you can reset your alarm clock, your computer clock and your wall clock, but it's not so easy to reset your internal clock. These tips will help make it easier. When Daylight Savings Time arrives, you can reset your alarm clock, your computer clock, and your wall clock, but it's not so easy to reset your internal clock.  The hormone melatonin, secreted by the pineal gland in your brain, regulates your sleep-wake cycle by responding to daylight.

While it probably won't hurt you to experience occasional nocturnal stirrings, night after night of interrupted sleep is dangerous to your mental and physical health. Do you wake up at 2, 4 and 6 a.m.? While it probably won't hurt you to experience occasional nocturnal stirrings, night after night of interrupted sleep is dangerous to your mental and physical health. Here's what you can do to help yourself sleep through the night.

Everyone moves around in their sleep. But if you're constantly flailing about, knee-jerking your partner, and generally disturbing the peace, it may be time to make a change. See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page! You may not realize that you are tossing, turning, and kicking up a storm each night. But if you're not waking up feeling rested and refreshed in the morning, or if you're okay but your sleep partner is complaining, you know something is up.

If you've tried everything from relaxation techniques to sleeping pills but still can't doze off at a reasonable hour, you may have a condition known as Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome. Having trouble falling asleep at night? If you've tried everything from relaxation techniques to sleeping pills, and still can't doze off at a reasonable hour, you may have a condition known as Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome. Worrying about it won't make it better, but the right type of treatment just might.

If you're tossing, turning, and looking for alternative ways to get to sleep, melatonin supplements might help. But then again, they might not. Here's why. If you're tossing, turning, and looking for alternative ways to get to sleep, melatonin supplements might help. But then again, they might not. Here's why. You produce your own melatonin, a hormone that's made in the brain and works with your circadian rhythm, or sleep-wake cycle, to help you know when it's time to sleep and when it's time to wake up.

Poor sleep and chronic pain often go hand-in-hand. While there are a variety of treatments to help you through the night, could Cognitive Behavioral Therapy be the best bet? Find out here. Poor sleep and chronic pain often go hand-in-hand.  Millions of patients who live with fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraines, and other painful conditions have trouble falling or staying asleep because of their symptoms. The more sleep they lose, the more stressed and exhausted they feel and the more pain they experience.

You and your partner may be the best of friends during the day, but what happens at night? If you're not sleep compatible, your relationship can suffer, as can your physical and mental health. You and your partner may be the best of friends during the day, but what happens at night? If you're not sleep compatible, your relationship can suffer, as can your physical and mental health. You can't sleep poorly every night, so you have to find a solution.

Sleep deprivation is a growing epidemic in this country, and neither gender has a lock on it. But there are a few behaviors of which men seem to be particularly guilty. Sleep problems seem to be a national emergency, and neither gender has a lock on bad sleep habits. But there are a few behaviors of which men seem to be particularly guilty. Check out this list and see if any of these unsound practices sound familiar: Overdoing the caffeine.

Ever find yourself at a party and suddenly realize you are wearing nothing but your underwear or, worse yet, standing there stark naked? Such is the stuff of recurring dreams. Ever find yourself at a party and suddenly realize you are wearing nothing but your underwear or, worse yet, standing there stark naked? Such is the stuff of recurring dreams. But what does it mean? The purpose and meaning of dreams is debatable; no one really knows for sure.

Being part of a couple means compromise, but sometimes your sleep-sex cycles simply aren't in sync. Here, five things you can do to get on the same page. Being part of a couple always means compromise, but sometimes your sleep-sex cycles simply aren't in sync. Here's what you can do. Think about it. What's making you so tired? If lack of sleep is a chronic problem, or if you are getting enough sleep but you are still tired most of the time, you need to get to the root of the problem.

Why do you need to change your sheets and pillowcases every week? Because, even if you shower every night and sleep alone, you're not the only one messing up your bed. Why do you need to change your sheets and pillowcases every week?  Because, even if you shower every night and sleep alone, you're not the only one messing up your bed. Here's a riddle for you: What has eight hairy legs, no eyes, no head, a big mouth and snuggles up with you at night? That's easy; a house dust mite.

Do you wake up at the slightest disturbance or are you the type that sleeps through the alarm each morning? Whichever way you roll, there are ways to work with your current sleep style. Do you wake up at the slightest disturbance or are you the type that sleeps through the alarm each morning? Whichever way you roll, there are solutions. On college housing applications, there is often a series of questions to answer, and boxes to check, about sleep and other lifestyle habits to help administrators make better roommate matches.

Family therapist Allison Cohen says separate beds are not a symbol of a dysfunctional relationship if they lead to healthier interactions between couples. Instead of tearing you apart, separate beds may actually bring you closer together. For some couples, sleeping together is a cure for insomnia; for others, it's a cause. If you have trouble sleeping in the same bed as your partner, don't let it lead to more trouble in your relationship. When the National Sleep Foundation polled adults about their sleep habits and conditions, about 25 percent of participants who are married or living with someone reported that they lose sleep because of their partner's sleep problems.

If you've done everything in your power but still can't find the land of nod, here's what you should do next. The room is dark, the temperature is right, and you're as relaxed as you can be. If you've done everything in your power but still can't manage a good night's sleep, it's time to get help. Although we treat it like a medical condition, insomnia is actually a symptom of some other condition.

Highly emotional states—both positive and negative—can put your brain into overdrive, causing bouts of insomnia. If an overactive mind is keeping you awake, here are some tips for turning it off. Highly emotional states such as stress, depression, anxiety-and even positive states such as happiness and excitement-can all put your brain into overdrive and cause bouts of insomnia. If an overactive mind is keeping you awake at night, here are some tips for turning it off.

You may not realize that something as mundane as a car accident could put you at major risk for this disorder. Typically, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with soldiers who have returned from combat; however, new information has found that the most common cause of PTSD is car accidents. Car accidents are also the most frequent kind of trauma experienced by American men and the second most frequent trauma experienced by American women.

If you feel frightened when the lights go out, the solution may seem obvious: sleep with a night light. But some researchers say this may do more harm than good. So, what's next? One of the first things experts advise for getting restful, restorative sleep, is to make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet. But what if that kind of darkness scares you? If you are fearful, experience sweating, shaking or heart palpitations, or feel that you are losing control and can't think rationally when the lights go out, it's time to get help.

When you climb into bed at night, do you don a silk nightgown, heavy flannels, a tee-shirt and boxers...or nothing at all? Your answer may determine how well you'll sleep. Comfort is essential to a good night's sleep, and what you wear to bed certainly contributes to your comfort level. Next time you go pajama shopping, consider these options. One of the best ways to help yourself to a restful night's sleep is to develop a consistent routine that includes the same relaxing activities, done in the same order and about the same time, night after night, just before you go to bed.

A sleep study is a time commitment that may not be convenient, but for everyone involved, it's usually a win-win situation. Sleep studies help researchers learn more about the myriad problems related to disrupted sleep. If you have sleep-related problems, participating in an overnight study can help you get an accurate diagnosis that can lead to the most effective treatment and prevent further health problems.

Researchers think your ability to cope with disruptive sounds while sleeping has something to do with how your brain is wired. Why is it that some people can sleep through almost anything, while others need earplugs and white noise to get through the night? Researchers think your ability to cope with disruptive sounds while sleeping has something to do with how your brain is wired.

Lucid dreaming is knowing that you are in a dream and using that state of awareness to influence what happens in your dream. It's a controversial subject, though. Some say it tricks people into thinking they can rewrite the script of their lives. Others, on the other hand, believe it can lead to creative insight. Lucid dreaming is knowing that you are in a dream while you are still in it and, at times, using that state of awareness to influence what happens in your dream. Lucid dreaming is considered by many sleep experts to be a variation of normal dreaming. There are techniques used to induce lucid dreaming, which practitioners say helps them solve problems and even learn new skills.

Shift work disrupts our internal clock, which tells us when to eat, sleep, and be active. Healthcare, transportation, manufacturing workers, and public servants play a critical role in our society, often working in the wee hours of the morning when the rest of us are sound asleep. Working nights, early mornings, or rotating shifts can affect workers' health.

Snoring loudly enough to wake up your sleeping spouse may be more than just annoying, it could signal a serious health problem. Snoring loudly enough to wake up your sleeping spouse may be more than just annoying, it could signal a serious health problem. Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts, waking you-and your bed partner-from a sound sleep.

Although the procedure may sound complex, the intended results are not. NFT seeks to teach a brain with a particular abnormality how to behave normally. Picture the scene from TV. A patient suffering from some mental malady is holed up in a windowless office, electrodes placed strategically about her head, while a screen records responses to various stimuli. It's fiction, but the premise is anchored in scientific accuracy.

Find out about a therapy that can help you breathe better and reduce the risk of serious medical problems. If you have moderate to severe sleep apnea, you have an increased risk of developing more serious medical problems. CPAP therapy helps you breathe better at night and reduce that risk. Sleep apnea is more than just a fancy term for snoring. Obstructive sleep apnea is a result of blockages in the nose, mouth or throat that interrupt breathing during sleep, which makes it difficult to get enough air into the lungs.

You've heard that "beauty sleep" is important, but do you know why? Here is what a restful slumber can do for your skin. You've heard that "beauty sleep" is important, but do you know why? Nanette B. Silverberg, MD, the director of Pediatric and Adolescent Dermatology at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, and Clinical professor of Dermatology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, explains the science behind beauty sleep, and what restful slumber can do for your skin.

Sleeping soundly isn't just good for you it's good for your heart, especially if you're a man. According to a recent study funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (an arm of the National Institutes of Health) men with sleep apnea, a sleep disorder, have a 58 percent higher risk of developing heart failure than those without it. The Study The study followed 4,000 subjects for a nine year period and also found that men (ages 40 to 70) with severe sleep apnea had a 68 percent higher risk of developing coronary heart disease than those without it.

It sounds like something out of a sci-fi film, but sleep paralysis is fairly common. Although experts consider it harmless and even normal, it can be terrifying for those who are afflicted. It sounds like something out of a sci-fi film, but paralysis resulting from a temporary disconnection of the body from the brain is a fairly common sleep disorder. Although it is considered harmless, and even normal, by sleep experts, it can be terrifying for those who are afflicted.

What are the challenges of getting a good night's rest and what's the best advice for addressing common sleep issues? Remember your teenage years, when you could conk out at the drop of a hat and sleep until lunchtime? Those days are long gone for most of us. In fact, getting and staying asleep are a real problem for a lot of middle-aged folks. But sleep is crucial to your physical, emotional, and mental well being.

A recent study found that men who have insomnia are four times more likely to die when compared to men who reported sleeping well. A recent study by researchers at the Pennsylvania State University's College of Medicine in Hershey, PA found that men who have insomnia are four times more likely to die when compared to men who reported sleeping well. Scientists followed a group of 1,741 randomly-selected men and women in Central Pennsylvania and the results are giving baby boomers a new worry to keep them up at night.

Are you noisy in bed? You may be a nocturnal grinder, waking up your bed partner as you feverishly wear down your teeth. Are you noisy in bed? You may be a nocturnal grinder, waking up your bed partner as you feverishly wear down your teeth. Even if no one's noticed, your dentist can surely tell. Nocturnal bruxism—or nighttime teeth grinding—is a noisy, often destructive habit, but one you might not be aware of, especially if you sleep alone.

Is street noise keeping you up at night? Loud neighbors interrupting your sleep? Block disruptive sounds with a soothing white noise machine. But if you don't feel like buying one, other options can work just as well. Is street noise keeping you up at night? Loud neighbors interrupting your sleep?  Block disruptive sounds with soothing white noise. White noise machines, also known as sound conditioners or sound soothers, help lull you to sleep with a low, steady hum or relaxing, "natural" sounds from nature.

If your teenager seems depressed, the problem could be in the bedroom. Experts say children ages 10 to 17 need approximately 9 hours of sleep each night. But after-school activities, homework, television and online distractions make getting this much rest challenging for many. It hardly seems fair that the hormonal changes associated with puberty exacerbate the problem since biologically adolescents are driven to go to sleep later and sleep longer.

8 tips to help your teens get their Z's. Knowing what good sleep entails is important. Sleep deprivation can contribute to teen depression. Help your teen develop good sleep habits with these recommendations: Help your teen make sleep a priority. Encourage him to focus on establishing healthy sleep patterns by keeping consistent sleeping and waking times.

Learn how to beat fatigue and rev up your romance. Stifle that yawn! Daytime sleepiness and fatigue don't have to come between you and your significant other. In fact, you can often achieve a much more harmonious relationship simply by figuring out how to get more z's and making sure you get the sleep you need.

For women who experience night sweats, the story is always the same: Suddenly waking in the middle of the night, feeling extremely hot around the face, neck, and chest, and sweating profusely, to the point of saturating your pajamas and sheets. Fortunately, there are effective ways to stay drier in the night. Almost half of all women approaching or experiencing menopause can tell you all about night sweats. The frequency may vary from woman to woman, but the story is always the same: Suddenly waking up in the middle of the night, sometimes several times a night, feeling extremely hot around the face, neck and chest areas, and sweating profusely, to the point of saturating your sheets, pillowcases and nightclothes.

If you (or someone who sleeps close to you) suffers from occasional or mild snoring, our home remedies can help ensure a better night's sleep. Loud, persistent snoring is a sign that your airways are blocked, preventing normal breathing. For some, this may be a warning of a serious medical condition. But for many people, snoring is simply a noisy nuisance. If you (or someone who sleeps close to you) suffer from occasional or mild snoring, these home remedies should help ensure a better night's sleep.

You spend one-third of your life in bed. Make sure it's quality time, by choosing the very best pillow for your needs. You spend one-third of your life in bed. Make sure it's quality time, by choosing the very best pillow for your head. According to the Better Sleep Council, the average person spends one-third of her life, or 220,000 hours, in bed. For that reason alone, it's important to choose your pillow with the same care you use to choose your mattress.

Does your mood take a sharp turn for the worse when your allergies kick in? It might not be "all in your head." Does your mood take a sharp turn for the worse when your allergies kick in? If so, it may not be "all in your head." In recent years, there's been growing recognition that many allergy sufferers experience depression along with the physical symptoms, causing researchers to explore the connection.

The unique sleep disorder known as narcolepsy is identified by a collection of unusual and rather scary symptoms and characterized by falling asleep often and at inappropriate times. The unique sleep disorder known as narcolepsy is identified by a collection of unusual and rather scary symptoms and characterized by falling asleep often and at inappropriate times. In spite of the obvious symptoms, very few people are diagnosed early enough to prevent the devastating effects this condition can have on their lives.

Women are already more prone than men to insomnia and other sleep issues. Then menopause kicks in and these problems often get worse. So, what's a gal to do? Women are already more prone to insomnia and other sleep disturbances than men, then menopause kicks in and, for many women, it only gets worse. In many cases, midlife insomnia has little to do with menopause, however, but may be attributed to sleep disorders and other medical conditions.

Too little sleep has long been blamed for a variety of mental and physical problems, but too much sleep may be just as detrimental to your health. Are you sleeping long nights and still can't drag yourself out of bed in the morning? If you're getting more than 7 or 8 hours of sleep every night, your internal clock may need resetting. Too little sleep has long been blamed for a variety of mental and physical problems, but too much sleep may be just as detrimental to your health.

When you don't get enough sleep, you feel drowsy the next day. Simple enough. But if you're getting plenty of z's and still catch yourself nodding off in the middle of the day, it could be a sign of other health problems. When you don't get enough sleep, you feel drowsy the next day. Simple enough. But if you're getting plenty of z's and still catch yourself nodding off in the middle of the day, it could be a sign of other health problems. Find out what's normal and what's not.

The question is no longer a simple, "soft or firm?". Now you need think about whether you want to include "muscle-recovery properties"or "thermal-regulation technology," for example. The question is no longer a simple, "soft or firm?", but do you want to include"muscle-recovery properties" or "thermal-regulation technology" when you buy your next mattress? Whatever criteria you choose, comfort rules! Even the best mattresses lose support with time.

Creating the right environment is essential for getting a good night's sleep. Lighting, room temperature, noise level, air quality and your choice of bedding all contribute to slumber quality. Adjust them to suit your own personal comfort level, and you'll enjoy a more blissful state of slumber. Many factors affect your quality of sleep. The state of the room you sleep in is one of them. Creating the right environment is essential for getting a good night's sleep. Lighting, room temperature, noise level, air quality and your choice of bedding all contribute to slumber quality.

You may sleep as few as 5 hours, or as many as 10, but what's most important is that you get what you need. Here's what happens when you don't. You may sleep as few as 5 hours, or as many as 10, but what's most important is that you get what you need. Here's what happens when you don't. If you suffer from chronic or even occasional insomnia, have experienced jet lag or pulled an all-nighter and then stumbled into work the next day, you have first-hand knowledge of what happens to your brain-and sometimes your life-when you don't get enough sleep.

Remember the last time you noodled over a problem but didn't arrive at a suitable solution? Chances are, you put it out of your mind and told yourself you’d sleep on it, only to wake the next day with the answer. Remember the last time you noodled over a problem but didn't arrive at a suitable solution? Chances are, you put it out of your mind and told yourself you'd sleep on it, only to wake the next day with the answer. You may not have realized you were employing a scientifically studied problem solving technique.

Thanks to our natural internal rhythms, or biological clock, we tend to (or at least hope to!) fall asleep with the moon and wake up with the sun. What happens in between, however, is a bit more complicated. Thanks to our natural internal rhythms, or biological clock, we tend to (or at least hope to!) fall asleep with the moon and wake up with the sun. What happens in between, however, is a bit more complicated. Sleep happens in stages, and these stages are measured by brain wave activity, which cycles up and down throughout the night.

For years, sleep researchers have tried to figure out exactly why we dream and what our dreams really mean. Theories abound, but none are proven. Dreams are recognized as a form of thinking, however, and at one time or another, most of us have had to deal with some pretty disturbing thoughts. For years, sleep researchers have tried to figure out exactly why we dream and what our dreams really mean. Theories abound, but none are proven. Dreams are recognized as a form of thinking, however, and, at one time or another, most of us have had to deal with some pretty disturbing thoughts.

There's that long stretch ahead until the end of the workday. How are you ever going to stay awake? You could consume massive doses of caffeine, but that's likely to leave you wired and even more exhausted at the end of the day. Instead, try these alternatives. You didn't get enough sleep last night, did you? And now there's that long stretch ahead until the end of the workday. How are you ever going to stay awake? You could consume massive doses of caffeine, but that's likely to leave you wired and even more exhausted at the end of the day.

You've seen it in movies, heard laughable stories from family and friends, and even read about it in literature. So what's the real deal behind this nighttime phenomenon? As far as science and medicine has come along with treating, preventing, and managing various diseases and ailments, it's surprising that so little is known about sleep, including dreams, sleep patterns, and habits. One of the most fascinating (and sometimes comical) occurrences associated with sleep is sleepwalking.

Sleep disorders are also commonly reported in adults with ADHD. Brain researchers are working hard to find out why. There are more than 70 different types of sleep disorders, Harvard experts say, and up to half of all children diagnosed with ADHD suffer from at least one of them. Sleep disorders are also commonly reported in adults with ADHD. Brain researchers are working hard to find out why.

Is your asthma keeping you up at night? As many as 20 million Americans suffer from asthma and many of them find that their symptoms worsen after dark. This condition is so common, it's often referred to as "nocturnal asthma." Is your asthma keeping you up at night? If so, you certainly aren't alone. As many as 20 million Americans suffer from asthma according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. And many of them find that their symptoms worsen after dark. In fact, this condition is so common, it's often referred to as "nocturnal asthma.

Is your asthma keeping you up at night? If so you certainly aren't alone. As many as 20 million Americans suffer from asthma according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. And many of them find that their symptoms worsen after dark. In fact, this condition is so common, it's often referred to as "nocturnal asthma." What Causes Nocturnal Asthma? If you wonder what the connection is between asthma and nighttime, there are several possible explanations. Some experts believe that natural changes to the body's internal rhythm, which occur over the course of the night, can affect the respiratory system and trigger nocturnal asthma in certain people.

If you think allergies are to blame for the situation, you might be surprised to find out you're wrong. Do you snore? If so, this problem is probably keeping you from getting some quality rest. The fact is that people who snore may wake themselves (and their parner, too) multiple times during the night. Such constant waking can prevent the body from going into "REM sleep, which is the deep stage of sleep that allows you to feel truly rested in the morning.

How to stop the snoring, kicking, and teeth grinding. Your partner may be snuggly, cuddly, and cozy in bed. But once the lights are out,  instead of falling into blissful dreamland, you lie awake enduring snoring, teeth grinding, and kicking. It's not your partner's fault, of course. But admit it: you do feel a tad irritated in the morning when you're so tired you can barely drag yourself to the coffeepot, while the sound sleeper on the other side of the bed is chipper, cheerful and ready to greet the day.

Yoga shows great promise for providing relief, which is great news for the millions of cancer survivors in the U.S. The conclusion of cancer treatment does not necessarily mean that cancer-related stress, anxiety, and treatment side effects end as well. Cancer survivors frequently report post-treatment difficulties, particularly fatigue, and poor sleep quality. Yoga shows great promise for providing relief, which is great news for the millions of cancer survivors in the U.

When you don't get enough sleep, it can make you feel groggy and cranky. But it can also result in insulin resistance that can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. When you don't get enough sleep, it can make you feel groggy and cranky. But it can also result in insulin resistance that can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes, research shows. Even worse, it doesn't take long for this to happen. In one study, when sleep was restricted to four hours a night for two nights in a row, glucose tolerance—when the body does not process glucose properly because it's not using insulin right—was reduced by 40 percent.

Sleep disturbances are common in people who have cancer, especially those undergoing chemotherapy, which makes a challenging situation even more difficult. Sleep disturbances are common in people who have cancer—especially those undergoing chemotherapy—which makes a challenging situation even more difficult. Chemotherapy and other treatments cause side effects, such as pain, itching, fever, and hot flashes that make sleep difficult.

Tips for how to prevent this sleep-robbing, and potentially fatal, disorder. It's easy to blame the symptoms on something else—job stress, an exciting TV show right before bed, or waiting up for a teenager who's late getting home. But if you suffer from constant fatigue, chronic poor concentration, depression and a lack of energy, you may have obstructive sleep apnea and not even know it.

People with anxiety have a significantly higher incidence of insomnia, and insomniacs are at much greater risk of developing an anxiety disorder. People with anxiety have a significantly higher incidence of insomnia, and insomniacs are at much greater risk of developing an anxiety disorder. Insomnia disorder is common—affecting up to 30 percent of adults. Mental health experts generally define insomnia as difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, waking too early, sleeping poorly, and reporting daytime impairment or distress.

We all experience the occasional night where we can’t seem to fall asleep or we toss and turn all night. It’s frustrating, but generally, not detrimental. However, chronic insomnia can be harmful to our health, and stress is often the behind-the-scenes culprit. We all experience the occasional evening where we can't seem to fall asleep or we toss and turn all night. It's frustrating, but generally not detrimental. However, chronic insomnia can be harmful to our health, and stress is often the behind-the-scenes culprit.

There are some foods and beverages that not only interfere with sleep; they work hard to keep you awake. If you're having trouble falling or staying asleep, staying asleep, it may have something to do with your eating (and drinking) habits. A heavy meal eaten too close to bedtime can make you feel uncomfortably full or cause indigestion, both of which can interfere with your ability to fall asleep.

If you suffer from arthritis, you already know that sleeping in certain positions can make your symptoms even worse upon awakening. If you suffer from arthritis, you already know that sleeping in certain positions can make your symptoms even worse upon awakening. And while proper sleep positions are important for everyone, they're even more crucial for arthritis patients. That said,...

Many children hate to go to bed; however, when your child's late nights leave him lacking enough z's, this can put him at risk for a number of health problems, ranging from being overweight to having trouble sitting still to an inability to concentrate in school. Does your child have trouble falling asleep at night? If so, he certainly isn't alone. Many children hate to go to bed; however, when his late nights leave him lacking enough z's, this can put him at risk for a number of health problems, ranging from being overweight to having trouble sitting still to an inability to concentrate in school.

If you're counting sheep instead of catching zzz's, you need a bedtime makeover. Take control of your insomnia and diabetes at the same time. If sleep eludes you night after night, chances are you're feeling the mind-numbing effects by day. Maybe you're drinking more coffee to keep awake, or succumbing to a mid-afternoon nap just to stay alert for the rest of your day. For those who have diabetes, better control of the blood sugar may be just what you need in order to get high quality slumber every night.

Enhancing your performance may be as easy as getting a good night's sleep. Want to improve your game?  Whether that's the game of life or sports, improving your performance is as easy as falling asleep. Read on for new research about how getting more sleep will bump up your game.  Scientists, doctors and mothers have praised the powers of sleep for generations.

Doctors and patients report that improving sleep habits can reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Migraines affect approximately 28 million people in the United States. They throb, they ache, and they can rob sufferers from their quality of life. There is a lot of research looking into how to help migraineurs—and sleep is turning out to be a major factor.

As anyone who’s tossed and turned all night can attest, sleep is important to our overall health and quality of life. Occasional sleepless nights are bothersome, but not harmful. Prolonged insomnia, however, is another story. Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder, particularly in people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. However, insomnia is actually more than just a disease symptom; it's a co-existing illness. Fortunately, there is an effective way to battle arthritis-induced insomnia.

How many hours of slumber do experts suggest for a healthy heart? Chronic lack of sleep can do more than just leave you feeling drowsy the next day, it can lead to a constellation of serious health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, mood disorders, cardiovascular disease and hypertension (high blood pressure).

Here's a sampling of how just 15 extra minutes in the morning can make a big difference in your life. Are you on intimate terms with your snooze button, hitting it several times until you finally roll out of bed 20, 30, or even 40 minutes after the first alarm goes off? If the answer is yes, you're missing out on a great opportunity to improve your health.

You'd think that with the work they put into their day, sleep would come easily. The truth is, that's when the tossing and turning begins. Women today have more to do than ever before, juggling family, career, education, social, and community responsibilities.  The only time they have to relax is when their head hits the pillow.  You'd think with all the work they put into their day, sleep would come easily.

Did you know that in addition to being a nighttime nuisance, snoring can also be downright dangerous? If your partner is a snorer, you're all too familiar with this irritating habit. But did you know that in addition to be a nighttime nuisance, snoring can also be downright dangerous?  In fact, research suggests that heavy snoring may raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Sleep apnea doesn't just happen to adults--don't miss these symptoms in your children. If you're like most parents, you want to be sure that your child gets enough sleep. A good night's sleep is essential to so many aspects of your child's everyday functioning, including physical and mental development, mood and general health.  But for children who suffer from the worrisome symptoms of sleep apnea, no matter how many hours a night they get, it often isn't enough to allow them to be their daytime best.

Trouble sleeping decreases overall quality of life in patients with chronic pain and diseases and can even aggravate disease symptoms. Poor sleep also limits patients' ability to cope with their disease. This can be a vicious cycle in people with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis-related inflammation causes pain and stiffness, which interferes with sleep, which further aggravates inflammation.

Read on for the reasons why a short snooze may be one of the best things you can do for your health. Have you ever watched a cat go through its daily routine? Chances are you've witnessed a lot of grooming, playing and chasing-and napping. In fact, cats sleep more than half of their lives away. But they don't slumber continuously for 16 hours. They sleep in long and short stretches through the day and night.

Snoring ranks among the top three things people want to change in their mate. If you lie awake at night as your partner saws the log, you're far from alone. Although snoring can affect anyone, it's most common in males and those who are overweight. According to the National Sleep Foundation, this nighttime disturbance affects 37 million Americans on a regular basis.

Learn how to get a better night's sleep during the hottest nights of the year. When the mercury soars, you take longer to fall asleep and your sleep is more intermittent. Although the ideal room temperature for sleeping is 65 degrees Fahrenheit, indoor temperatures during summer can rise to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in some parts of the country.

Millions of Americans are affected by migraines. Here, a look at this common neurological disease, from symptoms to treatment. At some point in their lives, 12 to 28 percent of people will be experience migraines, according to the European Journal of Neurology. What's more, in any given year, this common neurological disease will affect 6 to 15 percent of adult men, 14 to 35 percent of adult women, and approximately 4 to 5 percent of children under 12.

When nocturnal asthma symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath disturb your sleep, you can find yourself feeling tired and unable to focus the next day. When nocturnal asthma symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath disturb your sleep, you can find yourself feeling tired and unable to focus the next day. Possible Causes According to the experts, the odds of your asthma kicking in at night can be extremely high.

The word is out — sex can be great for your health in more ways than you can imagine. Looking for the secret to a better quality of life, or longer life? Some of us think the answer lies in a bottle of herbal pills, a better diet, or more aerobic exercise. Few of us would think sex could have the same benefits. But according to research, sex does much more than satisfy desire - it can have a significant impact on your health and increase your lifespan.

Is a prescription sleeping pill or over-the-counter sleep aid right for your insomnia? Here’s a look at these treatment options for sleepless nights. Insomnia affects about 30 percent of adults in America. There are two types of insomnia - primary and secondary insomnia. Normally insomnia is treated by prescription sleeping pills, over-the-counter sleeping aids, or therapy. The American Academy of Sleep Science (AASM) defines primary insomnia as sleeplessness that cannot be attributed to an existing medical, psychiatric or environmental cause (such as drug abuse or medications).

How much slumber does your heart need? Read on to find out. One in five Americans gets less than six hours of sleep a night, according to the National Sleep Foundation's 2009 Sleep in America poll. While that might be good news for the purveyors of caffeine, it could spell bad news for those who want to lower heart disease rates in the U.

Pay attention to your dreams—they may be giving you a few hints about your health and well-being. The jury is out on the significance of dreams.  For some, their nocturnal visions are fascinating and mysterious and offer unconscious insight into their personal lives and the world at large; for others, dreams pointless and simply help to pass the time while they get their 40 winks.

Find out if it's time to kick the habit. Maybe you had a bout of insomnia recently-a big deadline at work, your kid's grades, a fight with a friend-and reached for an over-the-counter sleep aid. You slept so well that you took it again the next night, and the next. Now it's been a few days and you've become so attached to the sleep aid that you're afraid to try going to bed without it.

With all of the choices out there, it can be hard to know what kind of mattress is right for you. Here's what you need to know. You can install blackout shades, turn up your white-noise machine, and take a calming bath before bed, but you probably won't get a good night's sleep if your mattress is wrong for you. And with all of the choices out there, it can be hard to know what kind of mattress you need.

With a few tricks, everyone will think you got a full eight hours. It's no secret that you'll have trouble sleeping as you get older. And there's nothing like a full plate—work projects due, sick kids, and money worries—to keep you up at night. If you've been tossing and turning in the wee hours, it's probably taking a toll on your appearance.

Getting enough z’s at night can have therapeutic effects. We all have the occasional sleepless night. However, when sleeplessness persists, it can have a detrimental effect on your physical well being, especially if you have Crohn’s disease. Sleep modulates the immune system, and a regular good night sleep is a key component of good health.

Learn more about the unique relationship between the two. Sleep apnea and insomnia are two distinct sleep disorders. One is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, and the other is characterized by the difficulty to fall or stay asleep. Both can cause a considerable amount of physical and emotional symptoms.

Dr. Jeff Aroesty answers a reader's question about snoring and discusses the innovative Pillar® Procedure. Q: My husband has always been a snorer, but over the past few years it seems to have gotten worse. It's to the point where I'm often forced to get up in the middle of the night to sleep in the guest room. We're both in our fifties and extremely health conscious.

Getting quality shut-eye may benefit you more than you ever thought. To sleep provides more than a chance to dream. Scientists are waking up to the fact that the right amount of shut-eye restores bones, gives the brain a much-needed break from the daily grind, and prevents a whole host of maladies, including heart disease.

There may be more of a connection than you think. Most people probably wouldn't rate getting enough sleep as the most important aspect of their life, but maybe they should. In addition to feeling rested and invigorated, studies have shown that a lack of sleep can increase your odds of becoming overweight, incurring an emotional disorder, and performing poorly in the workplace.

Learn why getting the proper z’s is so important for your health. Maybe you're so overloaded that you work late into the night and rise before dawn. Or you manage to get to bed early but toss and turn for hours. Whatever the reason, you're not getting enough sleep. And you're not alone. According to the World Sleep Foundation, almost half of all Americans are sleep deprived, many chronically.

You steal blankets like you should be on “America’s Most Wanted” and the sounds that come from him are akin to a freight train. Because the phrase "sleeping together" is usually used as a euphemism for having sex, we rarely talk about actually sleeping next to a loved one. However, sharing a bed with someone special can be one of the most reassuring and comforting aspects of your day.

Take a deep breath. The truth about yawning may surprise you. At approximately three o'clock Monday through Friday you have a bout with it—the stretching, open mouthed, groan of a yawn. Although yawning is a casual part of our daily lives, few know how or why we do it. In fact, the average adult experiences about 20 yawns per day.

100,000 of the car accidents that occur each year are a result of driver fatigue. Follow these tips to help stay safe on the road. Driving to a destination is often the most ideal way to go. You don't have to contend with long lines, flight delays, or metal detectors. Best of all, you're the master of your own itinerary: leaving when you're ready and not when you have to, stopping when the need arises, and exploring the back roads along your route if you so desire.

Not getting enough z's? You could be doing serious damage to your health. With a long list of to-dos and not enough hours in the day, you might be tempted to skimp on the amount of z's you get. Besides, you can sleep when you're dead, right? But, if you sleep less than six or seven hours a night, death might come sooner than you think.

You probably already know that food can give you energy, but can it help you fall asleep, too? Here, six that can help you catch your z's. Your eating habits can have a direct effect on your day—emotionally, mentally, and physically. A healthy, balanced breakfast kick-starts your metabolism, giving you energy for the rest of the day. Skipping meals can result in tiredness and irritability.

Late-shift workers put themselves at risk for certain illnesses. Is there anything they can do to protect their health? Trying to get enough sleep while working the late shift can feel like trying to swim upstream. Simply put, the human body is meant to be active during the daytime hours. In fact, humans' circadian rhythms (the body's biological sleep clock) are naturally programmed to promote sleep at night.

Will you live to a ripe old age? Read on to calculate your odds. We've split the atom, spliced the gene, even sent a spacecraft to Mars. But finding a reliable way to predict a person's life span? That's proven a bit more difficult. In recent years, however, scientists have begun to crack the code-identifying 22 genetic, demographic, and lifestyle factors that can estimate life span with a surprising amount of accuracy.

Can't get a good night's sleep? One of these misconceptions may be undermining your efforts. Drinking alcohol makes you drowsy. Counting sheep makes you doze off. You can catch up on lost sleep over the weekend. When it comes to getting your Z's, it can be difficult separating fact from fiction. But according to experts, knowing the facts can help improve your sleep, reduce your disease risk, and boost your health.

Our internal clocks, also known as circadian rhythms, determine when we feel alert and sleepy. Learn how to get in sync with your biological schedule. Are you a morning person, or do you thrive in the evening? Do you take cover in your house all winter only to emerge refreshed when warm weather arrives in the spring? We may know that animals have biological clocks that determine which times of day they're active.

Follow these tips to enhance your recall and make your mind more nimble. Have you ever lost your reading glasses and then found them on top of your head? Have you ever gotten your kids off to school, only to find their lunches still in the refrigerator? If so, you're not alone. According to experts, many of us have minor problems with recall as we age.

Have you ever wondered why certain people manage to stay so slim? Here, we expose their six best-kept secrets. Are you sick of drinking diet soda with your salad while your skinnier girlfriend gulps down supersize colas and cheeseburgers? You could blame your waistline on bad luck or bad genes, but the difference in your body shapes is more likely the result of your eating patterns.

Most Americans aren't getting enough Z's. Learn how to get the sleep you need. Today, the average American gets about seven hours of sleep on weeknights and seven and a half hours of sleep on the weekends, according to the National Sleep Foundation. However, most experts recommend that adults get a minimum of eight hours' sleep a night.

For centuries, we have attempted to decode our dreams. Here, find out what experts say they could symbolize. Whether we're losing our teeth, falling from a tall building, or being chased by a vicious attacker, at some point, we all have dreams that may seem absurd. But according to many psychologists, the mental pictures we conjure while we're asleep can speak volumes about our waking hopes and fears.

Bedtime doesn't have to be a fight. It's an age-old struggle: Adults try to put their little ones to bed, but their kids seem determined to thwart the routine at every turn. Children try to avoid bedtime for a variety of reasons; they may have separation anxiety, be fearful of the dark, experience nightmares, or simply don't want to take time out for something as mundane as sleep.

If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, a good night's sleep may seem like a dream. Try these tips to get your Z's. While you were sleeping, you may have woken up hundreds of times without knowing it—if you have sleep apnea, that is. Experts put the number of Americans with sleep apnea between 12 and 18 million, including many who are untreated and undiagnosed.

Even the biggest couch potatoes can learn to love exercise. For many of us, the word "workout" conjures images of profuse sweat, intense pain, and utter confusion. The good news: You don't have to be a natural exercise enthusiast to get in shape. Even the biggest couch potatoes can learn to love exercise. Just follow these six simple tips.