Bright Light Therapy for Patients with Parkinson’s and Sleep Disorders Bright Light Therapy for Patients with Parkinson’s and Sleep Disorders Bright light therapy is a treatment that has been used in patients with disruptions in their circadian rhythms. This is the internal biological clock ...Read More Sleep-Deprived Teens More Likely to Commit Crimes than Adults New research out of the University of York in the United Kingdom and the University of Pennsylvania reported that teens who report midday sleepiness tend to show more anti-social behaviors like fighting, cheating, stealing, ...Read More A Placebo May be Effective in Treating Insomnia The journal, Brain, published new research suggesting that insomnia treatment may not need to include neurofeedback, or training of the brain functions. Instead, researchers found that patients experienced the same benefits if they just ...Read More It’s Not Just Pre-Bed Screen Time that Causes Sleep Loss The ideal 7-9 hours of nightly sleep is a recent discovery.
Historical data suggests humans have been struggling to get a good amount of sleep long before the invention of electronic devices. Read More Some Insomnia Drugs May Be Prescribed Out of Habit Multiple factors are responsible for driving the complex clinical decision-making process. Things like peer pressure, psychological and social dynamics, as well as exposure to pharmaceutical advertising play a role in a physician’s choice of ...Read More Sleep Quality May be Affected by Air Conditioners A joint research team from Toyohashi University of Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, and the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering published findings that showed air conditioning (AC) airflow stimulates ...Read More Benefits of Low-Cost Treatments like Massage and Guided Imagery for Insomnia Many patients in a progressive care unit suffer from difficulty sleeping, as well as pain and anxiety. In a recent study, researchers found that clinical massage and guided imagery might be a low-cost benefit ...
Read More Research Shows Camping Good for Sleep Research Shows Camping will Recover Sleep Patterns Many people stay up late into the night, usually watching some type of screen like a television, phone, or tablet. Reading is even a major culprit to ...Read More Discovery of Breathing Molecule May Help Treat Sleep Apnea Targeted treatment for respiratory conditions, especially sleep apnea, are possible with the discovery of a breathing molecule found in new research out of the University of Warwick. The name of the molecule is Connexin26 ...Sleeping in a cool, dark place will help you get more quality shut-eye. We all know how much—and how well—you sleep affects both your athletic and professional performance. One study found that basketball players’ free-throw and three-point-shot accuracy increased by 9 percent when they slept an extra 108 minutes per night.But becoming a better sleeper isn’t easy.So I called Cheri Mah, author of the basketball study and a research fellow at UC San Francisco, for advice on what gear to buy to boost sleep quality.“
Adequate sleep is essential—it’s as important as training or nutrition,” says Mah. “That’s easier said than done, because sleep is the first thing that gets sacrificed when you have so many things to juggle.” Athletes should try to get eight to ten hours of sleep per night, says Mah. The following seven products will help you make each hour count.Pillow Photo: Bed Gear“Some people prefer to take their own pillow traveling,” says Mah. If you travel light and can’t afford the extra room, ask the hotel management what kind of pillows they use. Many offer different options, and if you have a preference—like foam or down—having the right pillow can vastly improve sleep quality when you’re on the road.We like: Bed Gear BG-X All Position Pillow ($92)This pillow has a moisture-wicking cover and air gussets to help you shed nighttime heat.Earplugs Photo: Mack's EarplugsAn ideal sleep environment is a quiet one, but not everyone has the luxury of quiet room. Whether you live near a busy street or share a bed with a snoring partner, you can block out the noise with earplugs.
We like: Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs ($6)I’ve been traveling with Mack’s earplugs for the past decade. The silicone plugs mold perfectly into my ears, giving just the right amount of noise protection. Bonus: They pull double duty while I’m surfing or kayaking because they’re waterproof.Fan Photo: Lasko“Cooler temperature is associated with better sleep quality,” says Mah. A fan is an effective, inexpensive way to regulate the temperature in your bedoom.fy Mattress or Mattress Cover Photo: NovaformA mattress should be comfortable. It should also sleep cool. Many athletes perspire at night, Mah says, so ensuring that you have a cool bedroom and comfortable bedding can boost sleep quality.We like: Novaform 3-Inch Seasonal Memory Foam Mattress Topper ($190)This Novaform mattress topper costs about a tenth of a brand-name memory foam mattress without sacrificing any of the plush, enveloping feel. Nice touch: The side is infused with gel designed to pull heat away from your body and circulate air for a cooler night’s sleep.
Sleep Tracker Photo: Fitbit“Some consumer devices have helped people learn about and be more cognizant of how many hours they sleep,” says Mah. “If you wake up and stop to think about how you slept for 10 more seconds in the morning than you would have otherwise, that’s a step in the right direction to get healthy sleep every day.”We like: Fitbit Surge ($250)I’ve been testing the Surge for months and have been impressed with its data tracking, but I was particularly interested in how well it monitors sleep. One tester realized he’d toss around for 45 minutes after his aging dog’s 3 a.m. pee breaks.Eye Mask Photo: Bucky“Eye masks are good if you travel or are on the road a lot,” says Mah. “It’s a good idea to bring your own in case blackout curtains are not available where you’re staying.”We like: Bucky 40 Blinks Sleep Masks ($11)This mask lightly cups your eyes and has a more adjustable head strap than any of its competitors I’ve tested.Blackout Curtains Photo: Bed Bath & BeyondSure, blocking morning light will help you sleep longer, but it’ll also help you sleep better.