You may have probably heard or read somewhere that lack of sleep is likely to be tied up with obesity and today we find an interesting highlight that may sort of explain the whole issue. Ordinarily, lack of sleep may make you think you are forced to eat less with the notion that you would prefer to sleep than eat. But an experiment proved otherwise.

Apparently the trick was done using some photos of food on 12 normally weighted men. They did not sleep and after some scans showed a high level of activity that is associated with hunger. They were reportedly hungrier even without sleep compared to the ones who got some nap.

The heightened desire to eat is what the scientists call “Hedonic Stimulus Processing”. So if you want some good advice, try to get some sleep and forget that notion of sleeping over eating when needed. It may make a difference in calories, especially if you are trying to lose weight.

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Most people nowadays are busy trying to burn those excess calories solicited from the just concluded Holidays and while many feel that exercise and cutting down the food intake is all that it takes to do so, hold on a second.

While controlling food intake and exercise may do that, do not forget the most important factor of all – SLEEP. Studies have shown that people would need 7.5 to 8.5 hours of sleep to truly reap the benefits of dieting.

Studies have demonstrated that lack of sleep leads to an increase in the hormone ghrelin (which tells the body to eat) and a decrease in the hormone leptin (which tells your body to stop eating).

Paired with a reliable bed and doing away with the vices like TV, do not overlook the value of sleeping properly. It may play a big difference when it comes to dieting and your overall health of course.

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It takes a big setback to somehow wake anyone up to reality and alertness and for Arianna Huffington, perhaps sharing a past ordeal or experience can be a wakeup call of sorts for people who deprive themselves of sleep.

Sharing how she suffered an accident traced all the way to lack of sleep, Huffington reiterates the importance of getting the proper amount of sleep. Apparently her talk was aimed to wake up the working class, most of which sacrifice sleep to supposedly provide some semblance of productivity in the financial aspect.

Sadly, while this may hold true at times, health is something that cannot be taken for granted. And for people who do not want to learn the hard way, the best thing is to perhaps think about getting the right amount of sleep above anything else which will eventually lead to one’s improved productivity.

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Couples have their share of lack of sleep problems and the common solution we hear of today is for them to sleep in separate rooms. Snoring and even blanket sharing have been problems for couples and in the end, you will agree that this issue may be a reason for tarnishing their relationship.

But according to therapists, this is something that can be remedied, especially the snoring part. Snoring, is a common problem among couples and one potential relief could be in the form of an anti-snoring pillow. This is one of several companies that offer pillows designed to help prevent snoring by keeping the sleeper’s airway open.

Then there is the petty thing about blankets and maybe even pillows. Please. Couples can place additional ones for each one without having to sleep on different rooms. As you can see, there are various ways to revel against sleep problems such as these and they may even make relationships stronger.

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Soda drinkers listen up. While you may be forced to limit your soda intake, you may want to watch your sleeping habits. A study shows that if you are not careful, you may be at risk of a heart disease. This study is from the University of Miami, where 2,500 soda drinkers were evaluated.

They found those who drank diet soda daily were 61 percent more likely to have a vascular event such as a stroke. They found chronic short sleep produces hormones and chemicals that increase your risk of developing heart disease. Sleeping less than six hours a night gives a 48 percent greater chance of developing or dying from heart disease.

Though a study, you may want to consider this concern. Sleep issues are growing to date so if you want to stay healthy, be aware of these findings to make sure you don’t be part of it.

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Travelers who often have to deal with lack of sleep when on the go may now finally get some remorse thanks to the Aerosleeper headrest. This is sort of like a sleeping clamp and should address the kinks out of your neck, allowing you to doze off easily on your next plane ride.

They cost about $9.95 and may be small or compact. Check out the video to see what the Aerosleeper Headrest can do for you.

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According to a new research, UK businesses are losing a fortune from people who have lack of sleep. About £280 per year per annually is being lost with workers waking up feeling tired and unrefreshed to perform their duties.

About over 27% of the working nation are suffering from this dilemma which doesn’t even include sick days too. Half of those questioned said they drag themselves into work feeling tired over 20 times a year.

It says shattered workers are 23% less satisfied in their jobs and admit to low levels of productivity (24%) compared to their colleagues.

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If you have tried all efforts to slim down, then perhaps sleep is the answer to losing some excess pounds. Weird as it may seem, a study was able to prove this and overall showed that a good night’s sleep is your ticket to a better body and better life.

During the study, adults were asked to sleep for 8.5 and 5.5 hours. The researchers measured loss of fat and lean body mass and found that those people who slept 8.5 hours per night lost 56 per cent more body fat than those who slept only 5.5 hours.

People with shorter sleep lost almost twice muscle mass. So if you are relying on what it says whenyou tip the scales, muscle weighs more than fat hence possibly damaging previous weight loss attempts.

The researchers found that lack of sleep caused an increase in a hormone called ghrelin in the blood. Ghrelin reduces energy expenditure, stimulates hunger, promotes retention of fat, and increases glucose production in the body.

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New York Harbor Healthcare System will officially open a new Sleep Center this September 27, Monday. Now, veterans of all ages will be able to be diagnosed and treated for various sleep issues like obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, central sleep apnea syndromes, narcolepsy, as well as sleep problems associated with traumatic brain injury.

The new Sleep Center will be armed with a four-bed, state-of-the-art sleep laboratory that will provide advanced diagnostic sleep studies and therapies such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Also, the center will be conducting home sleep studies for sleep apnea testing. Having poor sleep quality is more than just feeling tired. A lack of sleep can lead to other health problems, productivity problems at work and accidents.

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Ben and Jerry’s in Vermont may have a solution in the form of a work place nap rooms made for employees. They allow their employees to snooze but is not a permanent solution for employees who lack sleep. Further, there is that possibility that employees may abuse such a privilege.

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If you are conscious about your weight, then exercising may not be the only solution. In fact, you can probably sleep on it! Especially if you are in your teens, a study suggest that the best ways to fight calories and the fat is to sleep regularly.

This is not the first time we have heard of the link between obesity and sleep loss. It has been reported by other studies that lack of sleep may alter levels of hormones that regulate one’s appetite, but only a few tried to see the influence of sleep loss on a person’s eating habits.

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Here is an interesting take on Sleep Deprivation. Though we all know that lack of sleep does have a bearing towards healthier lives, it is our body and our brain that will eventually be the affected parties. And though we do find sleep deprivation as not serious for now, the amount or effects it would have will eventually be something that will set in.

Getting into the details may be a bit too scientific but overall, sleep deprivation is no laughing matter. If you are among the sleep-deprived, it would be best to seek medical advice. Among the minor signs of sleep deprivation include:

• Yawning
• Irritability
• Aching muscles
• Dizziness and nausea
• Temper tantrums in children

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In an odd way to address the sleep deprived people over in Britain, a sleep concert will be held where artists will be playing doze-stirring tracks to help sleepless employees overcome their sleep problems. And while the whole intent may be good, this is perhaps the first time you would hear of such an event, something that employers find useless.

75% of Britons suffer from lack of sleep while others do not sleep more than 6 hours daily. Sleep concerts have been a great success in Japan where stressed-out workers will pay £50.00 for attending the concert.

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Though it should not be surprising to associate migraine with lack of sleep, new research further explains why such would contribute to the growing headaches people have to deal with. It all boils down to the proper safeguarding of proteins.

Using rats to prove the theory, sleep- deprived rats secreted high levels of proteins that arouse the nervous system and low levels of proteins that shut it down. In short, arousal proteins occur at levels that are high enough to cause pain.

The findings will be reported at the 52nd annual meeting of the American Headache Society in Los Angeles.

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While it is always a joy to see a baby enter your family, it seems that this is short-lived. As far as this study is concerned, new dads (not moms) suffer from post natal depression three to six months after their new child is born.

The rate of “baby blues” is lower than that of mothers but it seems that when dad’s have to deal with lack of sleep and new responsibilities, the realities of being a father starts to kick in and provide depression all the more.

Dr James Paulson and Sharnail Bazemore, who carried out the study, said more efforts should be made to improve screening and referral of at-risk fathers, particularly as mounting evidence suggests that early paternal depression may have substantial emotional, behavioural and developmental effects on children.

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You can add another issue to highlight among teens if they lack sleep. A study showed that lack of sleep could become a high risk issue for teens who lack sufficient shuteye. Teens who go to be after midnight are more likely to experience depression, especially the ones who get less than 5 hours of sleep. Worst, 50% of those sleep-deprived teens may even commit suicide!

Doctors recommended that parents remove television sets and video games from teenagers’ rooms to help them get nine hours of sleep each night. Make sure they get sufficient sleep to avoid falling into these sleep issues and trauma.

(Source) Foxreno

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You just have to give DJ Moby a lot of credit for being wise despite his growing Insomnia problem. Perhaps learning from the fate of stars such as Michael Jackson, he refuses to take sleeping pills to aid him with his Insomnia. His reason is of course being addicted to them which as we all know has led to more deaths than remedies.

His insomnia problem is so bad that he often hallucinates through lack of sleep but says that he won’t turn to medication to solve his restlessness. Kudos to DJ Moby and perhaps the battle against Insomnia still continues. But for sure, there will be a solution but the only thing is when?

(Source) SIFY

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The number of sleep disorder patients has been on the rise and thanks to the efforts of programs such as Sleep Wellness, most sleep disorder victims are being treated to something ideal as far as handling their lack of sleep issues to date. And leading the way is no other than Clinical Hypnotherapist Benjamin Moss, the CEO and founder of Sleep Well Guru.

The Sleep Well program focuses on three key areas. First, it helps quiet down the rapid, incessant thinking which interferes with the process of falling asleep. Next, “guided imagery” gently sends the listener into a profound state of relaxation. Finally, direct positive suggestions lull the mind into the deepest level of sleep. Users of this product report awakening in the morning feeling refreshed and energized.

(Source) Big News

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Though it was said to be made for relieving sore eyes, people with bulging eye bags and lack of sleep may find the Eyezone Eye Massager handy to have. The device is good for people who lack sleep thus resulting in strained eyes which may need proper comforting and massage which normally costs a bundle if you talk about other devices.

After staring at a computer screen all day or even flipping through a text book for hours on end, your eyes just get a little on the sore side. Instead of just ignoring it and pushing through, you could take a quick break and pull out this Eyezone Eye Massager. It straps to your head and uses vibrating foam pads.

It claims to relieve not only sore eyes, but migraines, sinus problems and helps prevent age related loss of sight.

Price: $25

(Source) Gizmodiva via Coolest Gadgets

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There are no numbers to determine which people are truly affected by the hard times we are in but thanks to this study of Philips, we are now able to identify the people affected the most; managers. Apparently most workers are getting sleepless nights since they either have to deal with their personal security or make sure that they are doing their job right. And along that line plays the importance of being prepared, making sure that you can handily cover your work to avoid being tagged as lackadaisical in the workplace.

According to this survey:

• Americans are more likely than other nationalities to lose sleep through stress at work with 30 percent citing it as the reason they wake up during the night
• The average amount of time it takes Americans to fall asleep – at nearly 26 minutes – is more than any other country surveyed – and American men lead the world in snoring with 29 percent snoring every single night.
• 70 percent said that their work suffered because of lack of sleep
• The number one symptom of this lack of sleep was less patience, followed closely behind by less enthusiasm and concentration

“People lose sleep either because they cannot sleep (insomnia) or because they are not setting aside enough time for sleep – both of which can happen because of work-related stress in the current economic environment,” said Dr. David White, Chief Medical Officer for Philips Home Healthcare Solutions. ”People simply need to take sleep much more seriously.”

“Sleep is not optional – it is absolutely critical to people’s health,” continued Dr. White “The consequences of not sleeping enough are well documented. People who do not get enough sleep can gain weight, are prone to diabetes, high blood pressure and even heart attacks. We are facing a serious healthcare problem if we do not take sleep more seriously.”

Sleep is still essential for being productive. Sacrificing it may lead to a significant nosedive in performance and place your overall health in jeopardy as well.

This study is not affiliated with Sleepzine.

(Source) Press

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Normally, window blinds and shades can help a lot in getting some sleep since they fend off the usual irritating lights our eyes have to deal with. Exposure to light can disrupt sleep, making it difficult to fall asleep or even stay asleep. Lack of sleep has been linked to obesity, diabetes, immune system dysfunction, impaired judgment, disorientation and irritability. Using blinds and shades to control light can be your first step towards achieving a good night’s sleep.

“The immune system doesn’t work well if we don’t sleep,” says David P. White, McGinness professor of sleep medicine and director of the sleep disorders program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “Most think sleep serves some neurological process to maintain homeostasis in the brain.”

In the bedroom, diminish all light in order to establish a nocturnal atmosphere. Any light trickling in from windows, whether it is sunlight or streetlights, should be blocked. Blackout shades over windows can offer a good solution. Many window blinds and shades come with a blackout liner option. Shades on tracks not only offer insulation, but can also provide a complete blackout solution.

To wake up by natural light, blinds set with timers can be a great way to ease the transition between sleep and waking.

(Source) PR Web

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When you sacrifice sleep, being stressed and fatigued can lead you to be giving up a healthy part of your body. With obvious abuse, noticeable weight loss is obvious and that is what Lindsay Lohan is pointing out with her dramatic weight loss today.

The actress has looked increasingly skinny lately, and shocked onlookers with her bony frame during a shopping trip last month.

“I eat just as much as I always have.”

Instead, the Mean Girls – who raised eyebrows when she shed too many pounds back in 2005 – star puts her skinny look down to “working a lot” and “stress…and lack of sleep when I travel.”

(Source) Entertainment Wise

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But mind you, there is a down-side to all of this and it includes sacrificing health due to lack of sleep. Earning a fortune is one thing but the problem is focused on your health.

Take it from Ronson, she knows the price to pay for avoiding depression.

The 31-year-old girlfriend of actress Lindsay Lohan was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA yesterday, but is now home doing well.

She wrote on her blog Monday, “I’m home and all good. I was just pretty exhausted from travelling and working too much to buy Chanukah gifts and my Jewish mother was worried about me.

(Source) Showbiz Spy

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The amount of sleep have a bearing as to how we would carry out our day and our moods as well. Of course, you all know that lack of sleep is like waking up the wrong person at the wrong time and for what it is worth, it would be best to keep track of sleep, only if it were that simple.

But with this new device, the Sleep Cycle Tracking Watch, you can perhaps monitor your sleep and know when to wake up at the right time. It is somewhat similar to a modern day alarm clock only that you can monitor when you move (when you are almost awake), and wake up at the right time in a given window. Ideally, you feel refreshed every morning, ready to jump out of bed.

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Online gaming has been identified as one of the major reasons why most kids and teens are losing sleep, being glued too much on their computer to play their online adventure games and slug it out with other players from the world. Apparently, this means sacrificing sleep as well, something that has become a concern for parents on the health of their kids.

Blizzard Entertainment cannot be blamed for developing such games. In fact, much of the responsibility is pegged at the hands of the actual players and the parents in being able to control the frequency of their log on times.

The law should be laid out by the parents. Games and vices will always be there but the ultimate decision of disciplining themselves should be the main objective if they are to address the issue of lack of sleep and sleep deprivation among kids and teens.

(Source) Red Herring

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Sleep is essential to maintain the healthy bodies that need to carry out various duties today. Majority of the people today are sacrificing sleep for productivity and output which is a commendable effort but only for a limited time. Bodies are not machines. Thus in that sense we all know that in the same way that most people get sick, the same will hold true if we abuse our bodies by not giving them proper rest.

For a better medical understanding read on this:

When it’s sleep-deprived, the body has more difficulty processing blood sugar and has reduced levels of leptin, an appetite-suppressing hormone. These changes can increase the risk of weight gain and diabetes. Lack of sleep also increases inflammation in the body, which is believed to be an important factor in the development of heart diseases.

(Source) Online International Network

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If the demand for anti-snoring devices these days is any indication then perhaps the figures can likewise show the swelling number of people who are suffering from serious sleep apnea and snoring problems. The main causes of sleep problems have been directed to the people who have failed to watch their weight and abused their body.

Food, a usual necessity has gone out of bounds and people these days tend to use meals or snacks as a means of making up for lack of sleep. Ordinarily, we do need energy in our bodies to continue our daily tasks but while it is a temporary solution for such cases, all of this will eventually catch up when we reach the old age.

If you will notice these days, a lot of the old folks need support like bedside anti-snoring devices for them to avoid health risk complications that may affect their cardio and respiratory systems. In worst cases, it may even lead to death if they are not careful.

There are records to support these claims. In fact you can just see it in the headlines these days. You can just check out this report from Florida where anti-snoring device demand is increasing today.

Doctors in the central Florida town say their community is at the forefront of a national trend that has made the devices one of Medicare’s fastest-growing medical equipment expenses, up 96% nationwide since 2004.

The booming sleep industry and an aging and increasingly obese population have prompted greater use of the devices, which treat sleep apnea, a condition that causes snoring, brief breathing lapses and tiredness.

“As we get older and as we get fatter, we have more sleep apnea,” says Juan A. Albino, a pulmonologist and sleep specialist in Lady Lake.

(Source) USA Today

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For anyone, undergoing surgery of any kind for health issues is the last thing that they would want to resort to. For snoring people, this is something many would call as really serious but just like the common advice to us, if you don’t do the necessary precautions to avoid a problem such as snoring from worsening; chances are you are heading towards advanced medical help.

To some, snoring may not be that serious of an issue. It stems from fatigue and lack of sleep. But evaluate yourself even more and you may find something more serious than these things. Remember that when it comes to finding something wrong with your health, it may include other areas such as your heart and your respiratory system.

Snoring is something that comes out due to something you did wrong. It occurs if you have gone above your limits and may be close to abusing your body. If that is the case, then at least there is a reason. But if you start snoring for no reason at all, better drop by your physician’s office and get to the bottom of it. It may be serious than you think.

(Source) Sun Sentinel

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Sleep deprivation is an abuse we lash at our bodies. Without rest, we find ourselves opening a door for all illnesses and diseases to come in which if contracted may place us in living shorter. Medical intervention in the form of specialists and pills are great but they still cannot guarantee if our lives will last longer because of them. Sleeping is still the most important part of living healthy and making our body function properly.

“We spend – or should spend – a third of our lives sleeping,” says Amita Sehgal, PhD, Professor of Neuroscience and an Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI).

“The idea that so much time is spent in sleep is intriguing. Also, sleep deprivation has serious health consequences and impairs cognitive function.”

(Source) One India

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Sleeping is one of the things that people would love to do. But apparently, people have to discipline themselves and make sure that they get the adequate sleep recommended for people today. Apparently, there are some beliefs that many would agree to while others would consider as based on beliefs and myths. But myth or not, it remains that we have to manage ourselves well since in the end, lacking sleep will take its toll on us.

Here are some common myths of sleeping and insomnia. We may or may not agree with them but they are apparently related to how we perceive and understand sleep as a whole.

1. Humans Need Eight Hours Sleep a Night: There are many ways of sleeping and few cultures sleep in eight-hour consolidated blocks like we do. In places like Bali and New Guinea, people tend to slip in and out of sleep as they need it, napping more during the day, and getting up more at night.
2. Sleep Isn’t Just a Bodily Function: Sleep is a biological, physiological system, akin to the cardiovascular system, the nervous system and so on.
3. Animals Don’t Have Sleep Problems: Insomnia occurs in animals and insects, too, sort of. Technically, insomnia is defined as a “complaint,” and since animals can’t complain, it’s difficult to measure in them
4. Falling Asleep Is a Gradual Process. Nope. Instead, for most people, it switches on and off like a light switch. But for insomniacs and narcoleptics, the switch doesn’t quite work.
5. Sleeping Less Burns More Calories. In the short term, yes, but sleeping less probably won’t help you lose weight. Lack of sleep suppresses our natural appetite-depressants, while fueling appetite-increasers, often leading to weight gain.

(Source) Newsweek

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The delicate stage of infants today is how fast they can learn things like talking and perception. While we all know that this varies, sleep has been identified as another contributor towards how fast a child can develop such learning abilities.

“Children are able to make the transition well if they are able to interact with peers and teachers and concentrate in class and take on the workload,” he said.

“If you have enough sleep, you have enough concentration … the brain is still growing, they are still taking in a lot of information,” Sydney Morning Herald quoted Jon Quach, lead researcher, as saying.

Lack of sleep contributes to child development and proper growth. Apparently being left out would be the intellectual development of a child. Monitor their sleeping habits and make sure that they get the proper shuteye. It can make a difference.

(Source) The Times of India

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At times, it is easy to spot the people who lack sleep. Other than looking haggard overall, you can simply see it in their eyes. Eye bags are bulging and they have some red eyes at times as well. As far as eyes turning red, it should not be surprising.

Normally, when a person would see you with red eyes, they would say you took a quickie nap. So if that is the case, why? Well for sure, you are trying to make up for lost sleep perhaps on the night before.

The next time you see red or feel that your eyes are so strained, don’t be surprised. You need to make up for sleep and your eyes are obviously telling you why.

“When you don’t get enough sleep, your eyes haven’t had enough time to refresh themselves. As a result, the blood vessels near the surface of the eye become enlarged and dilated, causing the bloodshot look,” says Dr. Press. “The best remedy is, of course, to get more sleep, but there are different things you can do to get rid of your red, dry eyes.”

(Source) PR Web

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Such has been proven by the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to which an estimated 50 to 70 billion people suffer from sleep-related problems. Besides having trouble at work, health experts warn that chronic sleep loss is often linked with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, cardiovascular disease, depression, cigarette smoking, and excessive drinking.

The National Sleep Foundation, a Washington-based organization that studies sleep and sleep disorders, sustains that adults should sleep at least seven hours a night, children ages 5 to 12 should get 9 to 11 hours, while adolescents need 8 1/2 to 9 1/2 hours.

The new study, based on a door-to door survey of 87,000 U.S. adults from 2004 through 2006, revealed that among adults 18 and older who slept 7 to 8 hours a night, only 18 percent were current cigarette smokers, compared to over 30 percent of adults who slept less than six hours a night.

Lack of sleep also resulted in obesity, according to the study, which found that about 33 percent of those who slept less than six hours were obese, as were 26 percent of those who got nine hours or more. Only 22 percent of those sleeping the recommended amount of time were obese.

(Source) eFluxMedia

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Today, if you are not properly rested, sleep will come back to haunt and collect in the form of deteriorating health. It is a given that people today value sleep unlike before. Being productive is one thing but not being able to sleep in the way that people are traditionally known to be can lead to dire consequences which at most can damage health concerns for people today.

Sleeping too little messes with your mind and hurts your body.

Sleep not only makes you feel sharp and rested; it seems to play a key role in how the brain sorts out information and lays down long-term memories. And a lack of sleep has been associated with maladies ranging from cardiovascular disease to depression the CDC says.

(Source) Wall Street Journal

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Kinda weird if you ask me since considering people who are in the prime of their lives look towards these naps to help them gain more rest towards combating these usual health problems that come with age. Strange as it may, this study proves it so it should be a warning to people who love to nap during the daytime.

“Our study is important both clinically and for future research. It points out the need for health care providers to discuss nighttime sleep and daytime napping with older individuals,” study author Suzanne E. Goldman said in a prepared statement.

The study “also points out the need to identify the causes of disturbed nighttime sleep in order to determine appropriate treatment. Our study suggests that older adults nap because of health problems and disrupted sleep at night. Thus the napping may reflect needed sleep,” Goldman said.

(Source) Washington Post

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