Brain Sense

I remember having that problem in college. My roommate was an early-to-bed type (like me), but the noise from our dormmates running up and down the halls made getting to sleep a challenge. (Most of them flunked out the first year, so things got better after that.) My solution was to make sure that I had at least a couple of afternoons a week free so I could get in some naps. Other possible solutions include finding a quieter place to sleep, using earplugs, or gently persuading others to "keep it down." Whatever solution you put in place, do try to get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation negatively affects learning, emotions, social relationships--just about everything that makes us who we are. We can't be at our best without our zzz's.

As for your second question, the answwer is, "No doubt about it." You are describing a vicious cycle. Anger and stress keep you awake; and the more sleep you lose, the more angry and stressed you become. The key is to break the cycle. Soft music, warm baths, good novels, and gentle yoga can help you de-stress and get to sleep. You'll wake up after a good night's sleep feeling less stressed and angry. If stress and anger are keeping you awake often, talk to a counselor. You may need some talk-therapy to help you feel better and sleep better.

I can understand your frustration with brain mapping research. Knowing which part of the brain does what helps scientists (and eventually the rest of us) understand the brain better, but the practical applications are not always obvious. Nonetheless, I think you will be happy to learn that a great deal of down-to-earth research has been done on the very questions you ask. The particulars vary with each study, but, in general, the recall is nearly always better (to a level of statistical significance) after sleep. Sleep outperfoms extra study time--assuming, I think, that the initial period of study was adequate to the task. Naps as short as 20 minutes and as long as 2-3 hours have been shown beneficial. A full night's sleep shows improvements in learning scores, too. The sleep comes at some time after a learning session--sometimes immediately, sometimes after an interval. I don't think there is any general concensus about how long the sleep needs to be or when it needs to occur. You'll find another report of this type at http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brain-sense/201002/get-smart-take-na... Hope this helps.

If you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of your family. Grab a nap whenever you can and try encouraging EVERYONE to go to bed a little earlier. You'll all be better off for it.

Actually, I looked into this a few years back and found a little research on people who make such claims. Some people who assert this are in truth sleeping more than they admit or more than they realize. Among those who actually sleep less than 6-7 hours, a few research studies have found evidence of chronic sleep deprivation. Concentration, physical and mental performance, etc. are impaired. I know, I know, there are stories out there--but I'd be careful about believing everything I hear or read. Fact is, too little sleep compromises brain function--even for a self-proclaimed Superman.