Sleep:Insomnia
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What You Need to Know
Video: Perspectives on Insomnia
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Insomnia and Stress"It can become a vicious circle"
( 1:24 ) -
What Helps Me SleepAvoiding TV and adjusting my bedtime
( 1:43 ) -
Reset Your RoutineBedtime behaviors can bring on insomnia
( 2:03 ) -
Battling Depression"I wasn't worth much to my son"
( 1:50 )
SLIDESHOW
Yoga Moves to Beat Insomnia, Ease Stress, and Relieve Pain
The next time you find yourself lying awake at night, grab your yoga mat: Research suggests this ancient form of exercise can help combat insomnia, relieve stress, and ward off aches and pains that can keep you tossing and turning. Here are some of master yoga instructor Sara Ivanhoe's favorite calming and comforting moves. View Slideshow
ONLINE RESOURCES
The Best Websites for Understanding Insomnia (or for When You Just Can't Sleep)
- Site: The Insomnia Blog
- Who it's for: Insomniacs looking for some light educational reading
- Why we like it: Michael Breus, PhD, a well-known sleep doctor, provides a refreshingly easy-to-read blog about new studies, trends, and findings.
Insomnia's Emotional Toll: A Young Mom Shares Her Struggle With Sleep and Stress
With 2 sets of twins and a husband in the military, exhaustion is not an option
For a person with chronic insomnia, the only thing worse than tossing and turning all night might be struggling through the day. A consistent lack of sleep can cause physical and emotional problems, affect relationships, and impair your social life... Read More
All About Paradoxical Insomnia: A Rare Condition Between Sleep and Wakefulness
Suzy's strange sleep disorder left her frustrated and confused
Insomnia usually means trouble falling asleep, waking throughout the night, or waking too early in the morning. But one type doesn't fit so clearly within these guidelines. Patients with paradoxical insomnia report spending hours awake at night, even though, to others, they appear to be sleeping... Read More
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Expert Lawrence Epstein's Advice on Treating Insomnia and Staying Asleep
Dr. Lawrence Epstein
Instructor at Harvard Medical School
Q: When I have trouble sleeping, I depend on coffee to get through my morning. Will that make it harder to fall asleep the next night, too?
A: Coffee can make insomnia worse. You've got to remember that the effect of caffeine can be long-lasting. The half-life of caffeine is four to seven hours, so it will be in your system for longer than you think, affecting your behavior, your alertness, and your ability to fall asleep. Some people drink caffeine in the afternoon when they feel tired, but it becomes hard to fall asleep at night, which perpetuates the problem. I recommend avoiding all caffeine after noon. Read More
A: Coffee can make insomnia worse. You've got to remember that the effect of caffeine can be long-lasting. The half-life of caffeine is four to seven hours, so it will be in your system for longer than you think, affecting your behavior, your alertness, and your ability to fall asleep. Some people drink caffeine in the afternoon when they feel tired, but it becomes hard to fall asleep at night, which perpetuates the problem. I recommend avoiding all caffeine after noon. Read More
PRINT IT OUT
Got Insomnia? What Not to Do at 3 a.m., and What to Try Instead
- Don't look at the clock.Do this instead: Turn the clock around to face the wall, or hide it in a drawer or under the bed. Constantly checking the time will only arouse you and reinforce the idea that you'll "never" get back to sleep.
