Smarter Sleeping 101

Archive for May, 2008

Sorry I haven’t posted in a while folks, I was out on an extended memorial weekend vacation.  Now I’m back and i’ve got a great comic for you.  The comics coming out of xkcd are often times obscure and to be frank, nerdy.  But I think just about anyone can relate to this  one.  I used to have trouble remembering dreams until I created SleepSmart, now I remember around 80-90% in detail.  Wouldn’t you like to keep your dreams alive?

This week’s Insomnia Story comes from the popular site She Knows.  This is for all the new mother’s who have discovered a new found sleeping issue along with their little bundle of joy:

“Every now and again, no matter how tired I am, it happens, I go through several days of having a very difficult time sleeping. I’m sleepy and yawning and (day)dreaming about my favorite flannel sheets, but when the lights go out, my eyes won’t close.

I’ve never been able identify a trigger or a pattern for these episodes. It doesn’t seem to be related to family issues or work issues or other issues. Perhaps it’s environmental or even hormonal. No matter what it is, I’m restless on those nights. I can’t settle my brain even though I’m not thinking about anything in particular. Trivial things bounce through, not really stopping to be considered or resolved. I’m not particularly aware of big things lurking in the shadows, but probably they are there.”

Keep Reading…

This robust list comes from Jessica Hupp from the Nursing Online Education Database.  The first 14 are posted here, you’ll have to visit the site for the remaining 36:

1. Get on a regular schedule: Following a regular schedule can improve the quality of your sleep by keeping your sleep phases consistent.
2. Open a window: Get some fresh air to improve the quality of your sleep.
3. Reduce or eliminate caffeine: Caffeine can mess with your energy levels and disrupt sleep patterns, so reduce or eliminate use of it, especially in the hours before you go to bed.
4. Only sleep in your bed: Use your bed exclusively for restful activities, not work or TV.
5. Don’t go to bed with a full stomach: Going to bed with a full stomach can result in disruption, because digestion takes energy.
6. Meditate: Focus on relaxing to let yourself get better rest.
7. Stay away from the computer and TV: Backlit screens can stimulate your brain in a way that’s not conducive to sleep.
8. Realize that sleep is vital: Give yourself all of the time you need to get a good night’s rest.
9. Don’t snooze: If you’re snoozing every morning, you’re stealing valuable moments of quality sleep. Set your alarm clock later and get up right away.
10. Write out what’s on your mind: Create a worry list to put things out of your mind and get to sleep.
11. Don’t stress yourself out: Don’t force yourself to sleep if you’re not tired, or become worried when it takes you a while to get to bed. Sleep will come eventually.
12. Sleep in a dark room: Limit your exposure to light in order to keep your body’s internal cycles intact.
13. Drink something warm before bed: Raise your body temperature to induce sleep with warm milk or herbal tea.
14. Never go to bed hungry: Just like a too-large meal, going to bed with an empty stomach will disrupt your sleep.

 Keep reading…

Scientists have confirmed after extensive research that the average human swallows at least 12 insects a year while they sleep.

The research carried out by The University Of Oxbridge near London in England Town claims most people are unaware that they have swallowed anything in their sleep and that the most common insect swallowed is indeed a spider.

“The results are quite frightening” said Scientist Bill Brainy “But it is harmless really - no one will die from swallowing an insect in their sleep. However those who sleep with open windows may want to consider closing them at night.”

This is a joke, of course, and comes from TheSpoof.com.  The truth is, we don’t eat bugs in our sleep.  Why would any bug in their right tiny minds crawl into a damp, warm, breathing cave protected with large white fangs?  Give the buggers some credit!

The Cure for Insomnia, directed by John Henry Timmis IV, is officially the world’s longest movie, according to Guinness World Records, as of its release in 1987. Running 5220 minutes (87 hours) in length, the movie has no plot, instead consisting of artist L. D. Groban reading his lengthy poem “A Cure for Insomnia” over the course of three and a half days, spliced with occasional clips from heavy metal and pornographic videos.

The movie is shot entirely on video, and its intended purpose actually was to be so unbelievably boring that it would put people to sleep thus curing insomnia. It is therefore disputed as to whether or not The Cure for Insomnia should even be considered as a candidate for the world’s longest film in the strictest sense.

It was first played in its entirety at The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Illinois from January 31 to February 3, 1987 in one continuous showing. It is not clear whether or not the movie has been shown since then.

Has anyone seen any part of this film?