Shift work sleep disorder is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder that is caused by working irregular or nontraditional hours, such as nighttime shifts or alternating shifts.1 Many professions, particularly in the public health and safety domains, require 24-hour operations. Therefore, the workday is divided into multiple shifts, which are covered by different groups of employees. It is … Read more
One in three adults in the United States doesn’t get enough sleep.1 In many cases, it’s not for want of trying but because they struggle with falling asleep at night. Over time, people have developed several self-help tricks to help you fall asleep and get better quality sleep. One of the self-help tricks you might not … Read more
Circadian rhythm sleep disorders, also known as sleep-wake cycle disorders, occur when there is a mismatch between your internal circadian rhythm and your external environment, which can make it hard for you to get adequate, restful sleep.1 Your circadian rhythm is a daily cycle of mental, physical, and behavioral processes in your body.2 Also known as … Read more
Sleep anxiety involves fear or worries about being able to fall or stay asleep. Such worry can then interfere with a person’s ability to get adequate rest. Sleep anxiety is complex, and people may experience it in various ways. It can make falling asleep harder or make staying asleep more challenging. It can also lead … Read more
The military sleep method has been going viral on social media because it promises to help you fall asleep in under two minutes. The development of the method is credited to Bud Winter, an Olympic sprint coach who also studied sports psychology. In his book, “Relax and Win: Championship Performance,” Winter reportedly describes a technique he developed … Read more
Are you more of a night owl than a morning person? Do you have trouble falling asleep until late? Is waking up early a struggle? Are early morning classes, meetings, or activities hard for you? If so, you may have delayed sleep phase syndrome. Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder that can … Read more
When you feel tired, it should theoretically be easy to fall asleep. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. The frustrating experience of wanting to sleep but not being able to can happen for a lot of reasons. Here are some of the most common reasons for difficulty falling asleep. Stress When you’re stressed, your body … Read more
This condition is caused by narrow, obstructed, or collapsed airways in the throat, which can block your airflow and prevent you from getting enough oxygen.3 If you or a loved one have obstructive sleep apnea, you’re not alone. It is estimated that over 10% of adults and 2% to 4% of children worldwide live with … Read more
Getting through the day on a poor night’s sleep is brutal. You feel groggy and foggy-brained, it’s hard to muster momentum, and it can even affect your mood. Studies have shown that when sleep quality is consistently poor, these symptoms can become exacerbated and even negatively impact our long-term memory and decision-making skills.1 “In addition to physical and … Read more
In honor of Sleep Awareness Month, we are hitting the snooze button and properly catching up on one of our favorite topics: sleep. From uncovering sleep hacks on the other side of the world to figuring out how to calculate our accumulated sleep debt, this collection of articles serves you all the tools you need … Read more