Thinking of doing some traveling during spring break? Travel is good for reducing stress and making for a more relaxing break, when done right. For more on the benefits of travel, check out our blog Spring vacation coming up?             One of the best ways to help make a break from work or school a […]

March tenth begins Daylight Saving Time here in Indiana. As can be expected, this change in time causes a stir each year as the clocks are set forward an hour and we all lose sleep. Aside from the usual complaints, there are the silent ones as our bodies internal clocks are disrupted by the abrupt […]

There are plenty of things that can put your sleep schedule into disarray, including vacations and school breaks. These times can be great for catching up on sleep, particularly for the sleep deprived, but they can also disrupt sleep schedules which can disrupt a person’s sleep cycle for several weeks. This means that while the […]

Valentine’s Day is notorious for sugary heart-shaped treats. Sugar eaters beware, eating sugar before bed can bring a fitful night of sleep with sugar induced nightmares. The good news is, eating candy, cookies, cakes, chocolates, or other delectable goodies doesn’t have to be avoided to skip the nighttime horrors. Simply avoiding the treats four hours […]

It’s that time of year to make a change for the better! The best advice we’ve heard on changing old habits to better ones is to take it one good decision at a time. Sometimes it’s that one shift of action that brings about the benefits. For instance, did you know that sleeping better can […]

It should be no mystery that the best way to start off the day right is to have a great night’s sleep. If proper sleep or a proper mattress isn’t on your list for a better year, we suggest adding it! And here are some reasons why: improved memory, stronger immune system, better cognitive clarity, […]

Last month we looked at the importance and interesting qualities of Stages 3 and 4 of sleep. Now we’ll be talking about the most exciting part of the sleep cycle, rapid eye movement, or REM, sleep. Sleep is often described as either REM or NREM (non-REM) sleep; yet, REM sleep only takes up about one-fifth […]

Humans aren’t the only ones who need sleep. “Every animal, without exception, exhibits at least a primitive form of sleep” (Finkel, 56). Dolphins, for example, sleep using only half their brain at a time. By having one hemisphere of their brain active while the other hemisphere rests they can swim continuously. Perhaps more familiar to […]

We hope you found last month’s look into stages one and two of sleep to be insightful and enjoyable. If so, then we hope you’ll join us as we look at the deep sleep stages. Unlike the first two stages that are for shifting through the day’s events (often in the form of dreaming), the […]

While the upcoming end of Daylight-Saving Time may feel like a boon, it actually plays havoc on your sleep. The ‘Falling Back’ to sleep part can feel great that first day, but as with any change in a sleep routine, the side effects can last from one to several weeks. For those that rise early, […]

Insomnia is no fun. To help combat insomnia, which is a difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep, here are a few tips to help you fall asleep consistently!  Reduce, limit, or eliminate… Reduce stress with relaxation techniques before bed. Deep breathing, imagery, meditation, and biofeedback are some great techniques to try. Making plans for […]

Society seems to frown on sleep as people fight against the signs of a failing internal balance. Yawns are treated with caffeine in coffee, and insomnia is silenced with pills. What exactly should a good night’s sleep do for you? The first stage of sleep is known as the shallow end of sleep. It typically […]

“’It seems as if we are now living in a worldwide test of the negative consequences of sleep deprivation,’ says Robert Stickgold, director of the Center for Sleep and Cognition at Harvard Medical School” (Finkel 47). Sleep does more than you may think. Besides being important for mental and physical health, sleep is also key […]

Eating before bed is rarely a good idea, but if you must, here are a few tips to keep those late-night excursions from disrupting your sleep too much. To start with, the biggest things to avoid are big meals, caffeine (at least 6 hours before bed), alcohol (at least 6 hours before bed), and sugary […]

The color of your bedroom walls plays a role in how well you sleep. Some colors suppress sleep while others help maximize its effectiveness. In a study by the hotel brand Travelodge, researchers analyzed 2000 bedrooms to determine which colors helped and which ones hindered sleep. These are the colors to avoid in a bedroom: […]

School is coming up fast and that means having to adjust back to the school year sleep routine. If you or your kids are having trouble, here are some tips to help make the transition a little smoother.  Start 2 weeks early The best thing to do is to set the routine in motion at […]