Sleep

Sleep

Sleep

For many of us, sleep is the sweet balm that soothes and restores us after a long day of work and play. But for those for whom sleep is elusive or otherwise troubled, the issue is far more fraught. Most people, at some point in their lives, experience difficulty falling asleep. Other parasomnias—such as sleep apnea, night terrors, narcolepsy, and sleep paralysis—are surprisingly common. The good news is that treatment of sleep disorders is progressing rapidly, with new advances appearing every month.

The Land of Nod

The Land of Nod

How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?

New research into who needs sleep most, and why.

By Art Markman Ph.D.

How Insomnia Influences Your Emotions

Insufficient sleep may contribute to the onset of emotional difficulties.

By Michael J Breus Ph.D.

This May Be the Way to Get More Sleep

The powerful connection between anxiety and insomnia, and how to overcome it.

By Susan Krauss Whitbourne Ph.D.

When Is Insomnia Not Insomnia?

Some sleep routines may not be common. That doesn't mean they're a problem.

By Matthew J Wolf-Meyer Ph.D.

3 Habits That Could Be Wrecking Your Sleep

2. That glass of wine only seems like it's helping you to unwind.

By Linda Wasmer Andrews

SEE ALSO

Recent Posts on Sleep

What Dreams May Tell You About Your Mental Health

By Mark Travers Ph.D. on April 19, 2018 in Social Instincts

People with more intense lucid dreams reported lower levels of distress.

6 Ways That Night-time Phone Use Destroys Your Sleep

By Susan Biali M.D. on April 17, 2018 in Prescriptions for Life

Struggling with insomnia and poor quality sleep? Frequently wake up unrefreshed? If you use your phone at night, there's a good chance that it's to blame. Here's why.

"The Other Woman"

By Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on April 17, 2018 in Sex Esteem

What does the "other woman" in the triangle of an affair feel and think about the wife who is being cheated on? A few thoughts about infidelity and lovers and the men they bed.

Why It's So Hard to Sleep in the NBA

By Kelly Bulkeley Ph.D, on April 05, 2018 in Dreaming in the Digital Age

How can NBA players and coaches improve their sleep? One possibility: by actively engaging with the creative powers of their dreaming minds. Better sleep leads to better dreaming.

The 24/7/365 Economy, Shift Work, and Sleep

By John Cline Ph.D. on March 31, 2018 in Sleepless in America

Many jobs have shifts that don't fit the 9-to-5 workday. Shift work can cause a sleep disorder with difficulty falling asleep when off and difficulty staying awake on the job.

Insomnia: Symptom or Disorder?

By John Cline Ph.D. on March 31, 2018 in Sleepless in America

New research is showing just how prevalent insomnia is for people seeking mental health treatment, how disabling it is, and how important it is to make it a focus of treatment.

Lucid Dreaming for Creativity, Better Sleep, and Wellness

By Michelle Carr Ph.D. on March 31, 2018 in Dream Factory

Dr. Clare Johnson’s new book tells you everything you ever wanted to know, and more, about lucid dreaming for creativity, better sleep, health and wellness.

The Nirvana of Sleep

By Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. on March 30, 2018 in A Unified Theory of Happiness

When night falls, magic happens. We restore, detox and sort out memories. But how? Here are nine natural conditions for letting yourself fall and stay asleep.

The Evidence on Melatonin for Insomnia

By The Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research on March 29, 2018 in Evidence-Based Living

If you have ever experienced insomnia, you know the agony of trying to fall asleep when your body will not cooperate. Melatonin is a popular solution, but does it really work?

6 Steps to Getting a Good Night's Sleep

By Chuck Schaeffer Ph.D. on March 29, 2018 in Psychlopedia

How to achieve more restful, restorative sleep, starting tonight.

The Happy Enemies of Sleep

By Matthew J. Edlund M.D. on March 29, 2018 in The Power of Rest

To sleep, don't light the night.

Psychosis in Adolescence Caused by Sleep Deprivation

By Jeffrey Deitz M.D. on March 22, 2018 in Case Conference

A puzzling psychiatric disorder has links to a very common condition.

How Can You Help Your Children Sleep Better?

By Sydney Finkelstein Ph.D. on March 21, 2018 in Superbosses

Is your kid getting enough sleep? Are you? You're not alone. We're in the midst of a sleep epidemic, but there are things you can do to fix the problem.

How Authoritarians Make You Sick

By Eric R. Maisel Ph.D. on March 19, 2018 in Rethinking Mental Health

As part of the ongoing authoritarian wound series, we examine how authoritarian wounding can lead to lifelong physical problems and ailments that can elude medical diagnosis.

It’s Daylight Saving Time and I Need Coffee

By John Cline Ph.D. on March 18, 2018 in Sleepless in America

How do most people cope with the annual Daylight Saving Time change? Often with extra coffee. But why is it so effective?

Celebrate World Sleep Day

By Kathleen Frazier on March 16, 2018 in From Sleepwalker to Sound Sleeper

This is how Columbia University Medical Center's sleep researchers celebrated.

How to Fall Asleep

By Neel Burton M.D. on March 16, 2018 in Hide and Seek

Life is short and its best hours are spent in sleep.

Should Young, Old, and Sick Dogs Be Banned From the Bedroom?

By Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on March 15, 2018 in Animal Emotions

An essay called "Out of the Doghouse, Into the Bed" is very human-centered, and suggests that dogs in need be banned from bedding down near or with their human companions.

Does Your Brain Wake Up When You're Dreaming?

By Michelle Carr Ph.D. on March 15, 2018 in Dream Factory

Our brains cycle through four stages during sleep; these stages give rise to unique types of dream experiences that reflect which parts of the brain are active during sleep.

Dream Recall and Dream Sharing Among Millennials

By Kelly Bulkeley Ph.D, on March 14, 2018 in Dreaming in the Digital Age

The dream patterns of young adults or Millennials (ages 18-34) differ in important ways from those of older adults.

For the Best Sleep, Less Time in Bed Can Be More

By Seth J. Gillihan Ph.D. on March 13, 2018 in Think, Act, Be

Tired of lying awake in bed? Find out how to schedule your time in bed to optimize sleep quality.

The Simple But Effective Way to Solve Problems Better

By Amy Morin on March 13, 2018 in What Mentally Strong People Don't Do

Wrestling with a tough choice? Research says this simple psychological trick will give you clarity on how you should proceed.

Daytime Sleepiness Can Raise Risk of Alzheimer Disease

By Naveed Saleh M.D., M.S. on March 12, 2018 in The Red-Light District

Elderly adults who experience excessive daytime sleepiness could be at increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The clinical implications of this finding.

Sleepers Awake! Obstructive Sleep Apnea

By Sylvia R. Karasu M.D. on March 09, 2018 in The Gravity of Weight

Ondine's curse, the Pickwickian syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea literally take your breath away while you are sleeping.

What Happens in the Brain During Unconsciousness

By Lydia Denworth on March 06, 2018 in Brain Waves

People have wondered about the mysteries of the unconscious brain for centuries. Three new studies shed a little more light and show the brain is still working, but differently.

Staying Mentally Fit

By Jeff Corbin, MD MPH on February 20, 2018 in Rethinking Normal

Are you feeling better but not well? Mental fitness can help!

Requiem For a Sleepwalker

By Kathleen Frazier on February 18, 2018 in From Sleepwalker to Sound Sleeper

A family seeks help after a sleepwalker's tragic drowning.

The Shape of Bipolarity

By Russ Federman Ph.D., A.B.P.P. on February 17, 2018 in Bipolar You

Much of what is communicated about bipolar disorder doesn’t come close to conveying its complexities or subtleties.

The Sleeper’s Dilemma

By Darby Saxbe Ph.D. on February 16, 2018 in Home Base

Skipping sleep can hurt your cognitive abilities—and even increase your heart disease and Alzheimer's disease risk down the road. Here's what to know and what you can do about it.

Why Do Anxiety and High Blood Pressure Go Hand-In-Hand?

By Susan Heitler Ph.D. on February 15, 2018 in Resolution, Not Conflict

Feeling anxious? Concerned about high blood pressure? Maybe one treatment can ease both, and without medications. Here's over a dozen options.

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