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Sleep

How Much Sleep Do Kids Really Need?

By Shelby Harris, PsyD on February 16, 2012 in The Land of Nod

An extremely heated debate has just arisen in the field of pediatric sleep medicine—a field that is generally not very excitable. In this week's issue of Pediatrics, University of South Australia's Health and Use of Time Group reported that kids' nightly sleep time has reduced by three-quarters of a minute for each year they studied. Read More

Eight Keys to Life Hardiness and Resiliency

By Preston Ni, M.S.B.A. on February 11, 2012 in Communication Success

Helen Keller once wrote: “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.” As we navigate through challenging times toward a better future, it’s useful to visit some tried and true ideas regarding life hardiness and resiliency. Read More

Should Pregnant Women Forget About a Good Night's Sleep?

By Shelby Harris, PsyD on February 8, 2012 in The Land of Nod

In my practice, the majority of my patients are women. I'm often asked by patients (and friends!) why insomnia is more common in women. As a result, I'm going to dedicate my first few posts to sleep disorders common to women, discussing problems that can occur throughout her life. Today, we'll discuss what happens during pregnancy and what can be done to sleep better. Read More

The Serious Risks of Low Sleep in Teens

By Michael J. Breus, Ph.D. on February 8, 2012 in Sleep Newzzz

A large-scale survey on teens and sleep has made a big splash in the news recently with its results: most teens are not getting enough sleep, and their lack of sufficient sleep is being associated with a whole series of risky, unhealthy behaviors, from smoking and drinking to sexual activity and over-eating. Read More

The Neuroscience of Imagination

By Christopher Bergland on February 8, 2012 in The Athlete's Way

Albert Einstein said of the theory of relativity, "I thought of it while riding my bicycle." New ideas tend to bubble up and crystallize when you are inside the aerobic zone. While walking, jogging, biking ... you are able to problem solve in way that is different than when you are sitting at your desk. Neuroscientists are just beginning to understand this phenomenon. Read More

Can Sleep Help Heal Painful Memories?

By Michael J. Breus, Ph.D. on February 6, 2012 in Sleep Newzzz

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley examined the relationship between sleep abnormalities and the brain areas related to emotions. They discovered that REM sleep processes emotional experiences, so that these experiences feel less painful, difficult, and emotionally charged after sleep. Read More

Forensic Sleep Medicine: Sleep Driving

By John Cline, Ph.D. on February 6, 2012 in Sleepless in America

In a previous blog I discussed the relatively new field of forensic sleep medicine. This has become a more recognized and important area of study and practice as sleep related crimes have come to greater attention. Dr. J. Steven Poceta recently published an interesting series of clinical and legal cases in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. Read More

Possible Worlds in Dreams

By Patrick McNamara on February 4, 2012 in Dream Catcher

We can work with most dreams and learn from them. Read More

The International Association for the Study of Dreams

By Patrick McNamara on February 4, 2012 in Dream Catcher

One way to promote the scientific study of dreams is to join and support an organization that does just that. Take for example the " International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD)" Its website is http://www.asdreams.org Read More

Sleepy Teens

By Jann Gumbiner, Ph.D. on February 2, 2012 in The Teenage Mind

Can't get your teen out of bed to go to school? Maybe the problem isn't him. Maybe the problem is his changing body. Read More

I Must Be Dreaming! The Conscious Unconscious

By Robin Fox on January 29, 2012 in The Tribal Imagination

When we are dreaming the unconscious is supposed to be in charge. But what if we can consciously take charge of the process? Read More

Five Keys to Enhancing Your Emotional Intelligence

By Preston Ni, M.S.B.A. on January 25, 2012 in Communication Success

Emotional Intelligence (EQ or EI) can be defined as the ability to understand, manage, and effectively express one's own feelings, as well as engage and navigate successfully with those of others. According to Talent Smart, 90% of high performers at the work place possess high EQ, while 80% of low performers have low EQ. Read More

The Sleep-Heart Connection

By Michael J. Breus, Ph.D. on January 24, 2012 in Sleep Newzzz

Here's some serious and important news about sleep and heart health: there's yet more evidence of a link between sleeplessness and heart disease. The results of a large-scale study show that people who suffer from insomnia are at higher risk for heart attacks. Read More

45 Quotes on Dreams

By Dr. Stephanie Sarkis, Ph.D. on January 23, 2012 in Here, There, and Everywhere

Ever been ridiculed for your dreams? Ever feel like your dreams are just that — dreams? See what well-known people know about dreams. They are essential to your life. Read More

Psychology in the Bedroom

By E. E. Smith on January 19, 2012 in Not Born Yesterday

A noted specialist has come out with a simple prescription for what to do (and not to do) in the bedroom. As he explains it: "Psychologically, people need to use the bedroom for sleeping and making love, and not much else." Read More

Who Can I Sleep With?

By Matthew J. Edlund, M.D. on January 19, 2012 in The Power of Rest

From deaths of infants to a litany of zoological diseases, who knew that co-sleeping could be so perilous? Is there anyone you can sleep with safely? Read More

Love, Make-up Sex, and the Silent Treatment

By Rita Watson on January 18, 2012 in With Love and Gratitude

Whether withholding loving words through the silent treatment or withholding sex as punishment each is a game that is detrimental to relationships. In the sexless marriage oftentimes couples need to step back, put their priorities in order, and learn the art of kissing and making up. Read More

Dreams and Reality

By Marilyn Wedge, Ph.D. on January 18, 2012 in Suffer the Children

     A few weeks ago, a woman named Marianne came to therapy distraught with worry. Marianne told me that she had been having an affair for the past eight months, and was in the process of deciding whether to leave her husband. She had two daughters, ages 15 and 19, and she had taken great pains to conceal her affair from them as well as her husband. Read More

The Unslept Mind: Dreams, Self, and Psychosis

By Patrick McNamara on January 18, 2012 in Dream Catcher

Have you ever gone without sleep for any long period of time? Read More

Safer Sleep for Babies: New Guidelines

By Michael J. Breus, Ph.D. on January 17, 2012 in Sleep Newzzz

Moms and Dads, here's some important news: there are new guidelines you should know about that can help your baby sleep more safely. The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued new recommendations for sleep safety and protection against SIDS. SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome, has yet to be fully explained. Read More

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Sleep Blogs

  • Patrick McNamara

    Dream Catcher

    The neuroscience of our night life
    By Patrick McNamara

  • Mindful Sleep Mindful Dreams

    It all happens while you sleep
    By Rubin Naiman, Ph.D.
  • Michael Breus

    Sleep Newzzz

    Information from "The Sleep Doctor" for better sleep and better health.
    By Michael J. Breus, Ph.D.
  • Dennis Rosen, M.D.

    Sleeping Angels

    How children's sleep affects their health and well being.
    By Dennis Rosen, M.D.
  • John Cline, Ph.D.

    Sleepless in America

    Healthy rest, problem sleep, and the dreams and nightmares therein.
    By John Cline, Ph.D.
  • Shelby Harris

    The Land of Nod

    Improve your life by getting the sleep you need.
    By Shelby Harris, PsyD
  • Matthew Edlund, M.D.

    The Power of Rest

    Why sleep alone is not enough–and how to reset your body.
    By Matthew Edlund, M.D.