As National Sleep Awareness month comes to a close, you may have already experienced sleep difficulties “springing forward” from daylight savings. But for those with other existing sleep issues, it may be hard to know how to correct or cope with your condition.
There are many risks and rewards when it comes to the amount of quality sleep you are - or are not - getting, and lots of information on the subject to sift through. Luckily, Johns Hopkins Medicine has an online section, known as Healthy Sleep, which contains valuable tips and information broken down into three categories, with a goal to help you better understand your experiences.
Below, you'll see an example from each of the three sections showcased in Healthy Sleep:
Understanding the risks of your sleep condition can help prevent other serious health problems – and vice versa. One such connection is the one between insomnia and depression. In, Depression and Sleep: Understanding the Connection, the link between the two is explored. People with insomnia may have a tenfold higher risk of developing depression than people who get a good night’s sleep. And among people with depression, 75 percent have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. The understanding of the relationship between insomnia and depression can help detect risks and seek the right help for a smoother road to recovery of both.
Besides counting sheep, how many methods have you tried to get to or improve your sleep? From your diet to your surroundings, you may be surprised at the factors that can contribute to better rest. Stress is probably the most unsurprising factor, but in the article Sleepless Nights? Try Stress Relief Techniques, simple but effective methods of relaxation are provided to send you on a way to a more peaceful mood, and possible and good night’s rest.
You may be wondering what’s behind sleep deprivation and its potential cures. The science behind this issue is complex and evolving, and the information in The Science of Sleep: Understanding What Happens When You Sleep provides a great starting point to understanding what researchers know now. Explore how your brain cycles repeatedly through two different types of sleep (REM (rapid-eye movement) sleep and non-REM sleep) and more.
Another resource that may be of use is the Johns Hopkins Health Library. There you can learn about sleep apnea, something as many as 20 million people in the United States deal with; restless leg syndrome and more.
If you’re dealing with a sleep disorder, it may be necessary to try CPAP, bi-Level or other respiratory therapy equipment, which can be provided to you by Johns Hopkins Pharmaquip. As always, be sure to talk to your doctor about your condition and any possible solutions.
Hopefully, you’ll experience sweet dreams in no time again – without the sheep counting.