Healthy Sleeping
Healthy sleep isn't just about getting enough sleep; getting the right kind counts, too. While you sleep your brain stays active, and it actually takes several stages of sleep to make you feel well and refreshed. Just how much sleep we need changes as we age, from 16 to 18 hours a day for newborns to 7 to 8 hours a night for adults. If you find yourself feeling tired or fatigued during the day even after a full night in bed, you may have a sleep disorder. See your family doctor or a sleep specialist for help.
Recently Answered
- Q If I want to have a lucid dream, how do I do it?
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Being able to have dream recall is important. You have probably heard of people who keep dream journals. As soon as they awake, they record as many details of their dreams as they can remember. They jot down these thoughts, even if they wake up in the... Full Answer
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- Q Can caffeine make up for a lack of sleep?
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Dr. Dawn Marcus, NeurologySleep experts in Switzerland found that sleep deprivation temporarily worsened people's mental capabilities. When these same sleep-deprived people had caffeine, simple mental processes did improve. Complex mental activities, however, do not... Full Answer
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- Q Does getting adequate sleep help me stay slim?
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Kate Geagan, Nutrition & DieteticsSleep is a key to staying slim. It’s a critical time of rest, repair and renewal for your body. Skimping on it is a surefire way to undermine your energy for the entire day. Lack of sleep has also been linked to higher risk of type 2... Full Answer
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- Q How does drinking alcohol before bedtime affect sleep quality?
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Ben Kaminsky, DermatologyTo promote sleep quality, avoid alcohol. Alcohol can cause a person to fall asleep quickly but many people wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble getting back to sleep. Full Answer
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- Q How does exposure to daylight affect sleep quality?
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Ben Kaminsky, DermatologyResearchers have found that exposure to daylight and darkness regulates the body's natural secretion of melatonin. Spend time outdoors each day, especially during the morning hours, to keep the body's rhythms in harmony. To try the natural... Full Answer
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- Q Why is sleep important for women?
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Ashley Koff, Nutrition & DieteticsSleep may have a greater influence on your ability to enjoy your day than household income and even marital status. One study found that an extra hour of sleep had more of an impact on how a group of women felt throughout the day than earning more money... Full Answer
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- Q How does my brain regulate sleep?
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Ashley Koff, Nutrition & DieteticsWashington State University researchers documented how active brain cells release adenosine triphosphate (ATP) -- the molecule that provides energy for physiological processes -- to start the events leading to sleep. The ATP then binds to a receptor... Full Answer
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- Q Why should I avoid eating before going to sleep?
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Ashley Koff, Nutrition & DieteticsHeavy foods too close to bedtime can upset your sleep as much as they upset your stomach. The best bedtime snack is nothing. Eating provides energy and that runs counter to prepping the body for rest. If you need to take a medication or if you are... Full Answer
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- Q What should I visualize at night if I want to sleep better?
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Dr. Michael Breus, PsychologyWhen you close your eyes for the night, create a restful rocking scene: imagine yourself swaying in that hammock, or floating lazily on a raft under gentle waves. Use your senses: hear the waves beneath you, feel a light warm breeze, smell... Full Answer
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- Q Will sleeping with a fan on help me sleep better?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyA fan will dry out the air and prevent a person from getting a good night's sleep. Learn more in this video with Dr. Oz. Full Answer
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