As a lifelong insomniac, it’s been drummed into me that ‘blue light’ — the type emitted by smartphones and laptop screens — is the enemy. This short-wavelength, high-energy light is also a natural part of sunlight, and helps to regulate our body clocks in the morning by suppressing the release of the sleep hormone melatonin, … Read more
While many turn to western medicine when suffering from a mildly sore back, stiff neck or interrupted sleeping patterns, an Australian acupuncturist has revealed how these common problems may be relieved at home by massaging pressure points. Brendan Smith, founder of the Sydney-based clinic Village Remedies, uses Chinese medicine practices to stimulate the body’s natural … Read more
Could a cure for insomnia be in our genes? Difficulty sleeping could be hereditary as scientists discover 47 sections of DNA that determine how easily we nod off Of these 47 genetic sites, 36 had never been identified in previous studies Sleep quality may be related to the release of the feel-good chemical serotonin Those … Read more
MEMOIR THE SHAPELESS UNEASE: A YEAR OF NOT SLEEPING by Samantha Harvey (Cape £12.99, 192 pp) There can be few people for whom Samantha Harvey’s dazzling, dizzying trip through the nightmare world of the sleepless will be completely foreign. Who among us hasn’t lain awake at night counting backwards from one thousand? I can sometimes … Read more
Mindfulness isn’t the solution! It is yet another added pressure. Being mindful is the last thing we want to do We’re ‘the lucky generation’ – healthier, richer and more independent than at any time in history. So why can’t we sleep at night? Author Ada Calhoun has some surprising theories At first I thought it … Read more
Sleepless nights will be a thing of the past, thanks to these tech products that feature soothing sounds, ways to adjust slumber-perfect temperatures, and more. Why big data may help you sleep better at night At CES 2020, Sleep Number debuted its latest smart beds, which feature climate-controlled technology that gathers data while you snooze. … Read more