Health News
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom
The upcoming holidays add a lot of extra activity to our already busy schedules. To make time for all of these add-ons, many people cut back on sleep to get everything done.
You might be surprised to know that the best solution for holiday productivity is to make a good night?s sleep a priority. For most people, this means around 7-8 hours each night.
Walking around bleary-eyed from lack of sleep slows you down, and limits your ability to multitask or even carry out your daily tasks efficiently. An occasional night of 5 hours of sleep won?t be a problem, but if this is a regular occurrence (be honest with yourself!), it?s time to revisit your sleep patterns.
Lack of sleep is also associated with weight gain. People eat more, in the hope that they?ll feel more energized. Mental focus and awareness of mindful eating also decline with fatigue. Some hormones related to hunger and fullness signals are also out of whack, and stress levels can skyrocket with too little sleep.
While it?s not a perfect world, one of the best gifts you can give yourself this season is a good night?s sleep. To optimize your ease in falling asleep after a hectic day, aim for a one-hour ?mental detox? prior to turning off the light. Shut off the television, computer, and smart phone, and read, or take a warm shower to relax.
What about a power nap? This can help in a pinch, but is no substitute for a sound, sustained sleep.
Sweet dreams to all!
- End Of Daylight Saving Time, Which Can Disrupt Sleep Pattern, Is A Good Time To Review Your Sleep Habits, Experts Say
Sunday, Nov. 2, is the end of Daylight Saving Time this year and for those who already sleep poorly, it might mean further disruption to their sleep patterns. Turning our clocks back one hour in the fall can be disruptive to our sleep patterns, says Sabrina...
- Number Of Sleep-disorder Facilities Growing As Kentuckians Admit They're Tired
The number of sleep-disorder facilities in Kentucky doubled from 25 to 52 in the past 10 years, part of a nationwide trend to help the 70 million Americans who have trouble getting some shuteye. "Demand growth is a result of more physicians being better...
- Get More Sleep This Weekend!
By Dr. Madelyn FernstromFor those of you who skimp on sleep because of ?too much to do,? this weekend is meant for you. It?s the end of daylight savings time, and we turn our clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday morning. It?s time to ?fall back? and...
- Daylight Savings Ends Sunday
If you have trouble sleeping, there's good news - you are getting an extra hour this weekend. Don't forget to adjust your clocks an hour back at 2 a.m. Sunday due to the end of Daylight Savings. But you may also want to pause this weekend to ask...
- Sleep Quantity And Quality Are Key To Good Health
In observance of National Sleep Awareness Week (March 1-8), representatives from the Northwest Hospital Sleep Disorders Center will be in the Old Court Cafe March 2 - 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sleep quantity and quality are key factors to our health...
Health News
Don?t Skimp on Sleep
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom
You might be surprised to know that the best solution for holiday productivity is to make a good night?s sleep a priority. For most people, this means around 7-8 hours each night.
Walking around bleary-eyed from lack of sleep slows you down, and limits your ability to multitask or even carry out your daily tasks efficiently. An occasional night of 5 hours of sleep won?t be a problem, but if this is a regular occurrence (be honest with yourself!), it?s time to revisit your sleep patterns.
Lack of sleep is also associated with weight gain. People eat more, in the hope that they?ll feel more energized. Mental focus and awareness of mindful eating also decline with fatigue. Some hormones related to hunger and fullness signals are also out of whack, and stress levels can skyrocket with too little sleep.
While it?s not a perfect world, one of the best gifts you can give yourself this season is a good night?s sleep. To optimize your ease in falling asleep after a hectic day, aim for a one-hour ?mental detox? prior to turning off the light. Shut off the television, computer, and smart phone, and read, or take a warm shower to relax.
What about a power nap? This can help in a pinch, but is no substitute for a sound, sustained sleep.
Sweet dreams to all!
- End Of Daylight Saving Time, Which Can Disrupt Sleep Pattern, Is A Good Time To Review Your Sleep Habits, Experts Say
Sunday, Nov. 2, is the end of Daylight Saving Time this year and for those who already sleep poorly, it might mean further disruption to their sleep patterns. Turning our clocks back one hour in the fall can be disruptive to our sleep patterns, says Sabrina...
- Number Of Sleep-disorder Facilities Growing As Kentuckians Admit They're Tired
The number of sleep-disorder facilities in Kentucky doubled from 25 to 52 in the past 10 years, part of a nationwide trend to help the 70 million Americans who have trouble getting some shuteye. "Demand growth is a result of more physicians being better...
- Get More Sleep This Weekend!
By Dr. Madelyn FernstromFor those of you who skimp on sleep because of ?too much to do,? this weekend is meant for you. It?s the end of daylight savings time, and we turn our clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday morning. It?s time to ?fall back? and...
- Daylight Savings Ends Sunday
If you have trouble sleeping, there's good news - you are getting an extra hour this weekend. Don't forget to adjust your clocks an hour back at 2 a.m. Sunday due to the end of Daylight Savings. But you may also want to pause this weekend to ask...
- Sleep Quantity And Quality Are Key To Good Health
In observance of National Sleep Awareness Week (March 1-8), representatives from the Northwest Hospital Sleep Disorders Center will be in the Old Court Cafe March 2 - 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sleep quantity and quality are key factors to our health...