I was in a restaurant recently and heard a man at a nearby table extolling the virtues of Ambien, the sleep medication – and it made me laugh, but only sort of.  Sleep is a luxury in the minds of most people I know … partly because there is just too much to do and partly because we’re getting older and just don’t sleep as well as we used to.  It’s not just the people in my age or social or socioeconomic group either – the newest study on sleeplessness found that insomnia doesn’t discriminate.  The study looked at four ethnic groups – Asians, African Americans, Hispanics and Whites and found that less than half of those surveyed in each group said they get enough sleep.   Learn more.

But sleep is not a luxury.  I see study after study after study affirming the connection between sleep quantity and quality and health, including this latest one on the connection between sleep and the ability to control yourself at breakfast, snack time, lunch, snack time, snack time, dinner, snack time … How well you sleep is connected to longevity … heart disease … diabetes … and depression.   Learn more.

Sleep problems are universal – and since everyone seems to be having these troubles, they represent a great opportunity to reach out to the community with information on how to sleep better.  People welcome information on sleeping well, particularly if it is more creative and wide-ranging than the usual advice on going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.  Sharing tips on what to eat (bananas) and not to eat (fatty treats) … relaxation meditations (link here) … and yoga breathing techniques to ease you into dreamland is of great value, deeply appreciated, helpful and healthful too.

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