What we now know - "Sleep Is Your Superpower" (TedTalk)

[Pluvious]

Very informative discussion on what is currently known and suspected, on the function and importance on sleep.

For example, did you know that every year, at the daylight savings time change, in the Spring heart attacks spike 25% and in the Fall it drops similarly ?

If, during the night, you don't get the right kind of sleep, the next day your capacity to learn will be severely impacted. And much of what you learned the day before will be lost.

Premature death and even Alzheimer's is strongly suspected to be impacted by our sleeping habits.

Some good tips near the end on ways to help.

Note to jury: Please don't delete this. During these politically tumultuous times, we need all the help we can get in dealing with the stress of the monster in the White House.

[Phoenix61]

1. Interesting but I'm not sure about

keeping the room at 65 degrees especially when it’s 80 outside.

[Pluvious]

7. I agree !!

It's so hard to sleep when cold.

I wonder if humans evolved with that being the medium temperature during the night...

[Phoenix61]

8. It's not that. I sleep great when it's cold.

I just don’t think I could afford it unless I get a window unit for the bedroom. I’ve actually thought about doing that.

[Frustratedlady]

2. Being on prednisone, I have lost a ton of sleep.

Sleeping aids didn't even help. If I got more than 2 hours (Feb. to present), it would be a miracle.

My body has adjusted, somewhat, but I'm sure the lack of sleep has taken its toll.

[love_katz]

3. I need a cool room in order to sleep well.

I have trouble getting to sleep if the room is too warm, and I am more likely to wake up tired and with a headache. So, I find it easier to sleep better from fall through spring. I hate summer, when I have to run air conditioning in order to sleep. I have to use portable air conditioners, which are noisy, because I can't afford to have whole house air conditioning installed. This was a very interesting talk. Thank you for posting.

[Pluvious]

6. My pleasure - one suggestion...

I have found certain variants of tart cherry juice to help a lot with improving the ability to fall back asleep during the night. LMK if you desire more info.

The other tricks are: No lights (put a red night light in bathroom), and discipline yourself to ONLY think of boring repetitive topics or activities while you try to fall back asleep).

[SunSeeker]

4. Sadly, DU is not conducive to good sleep. LOL

[Pluvious]

5. I hear you there !

I actually tried to request and encourage DU Administration for adding a "night mode" viewing option like Twitter and Reddit provide.

As it's well known blue (white) light signals our brains to WAKE UP.

And getting stirred up with political injustice topics sure doesn't calm the mind lol.

[Ohioboy]

9. Personally, I've found that regular exercise helps my sleep pattern

Best routine for me is to do some kind of short, low impact exercise in the morning before breakfast.

[AirmensMom]

10. I've been recommending his book,

Why We Sleep, for months now. I heard his interview, I think by Terry Gross, and immediately bought the book. Can’t seem to get anyone interested in it, though. I’m guessing that it’s still unpopular to admit that we need sleep. Still, since you posted the video, you are obviously interested in the subject. So I’ll recommend the book to you.

[Pluvious]

11. Thank you very much !

We'll check it out for sure.

Humans can sure be contradictory in their motivations and behavior.

My theory for this is that the trait and skill we have for denial, helps keeps us sane with our awareness of our inexorable mortality. It spills out in other areas in our lives (like extreme sports, smoking and drinking addictions, etc).