Tag Archives: sleep

Who Benefits From Pets and Owners Sleeping in the Same Room?

Mental Wellness, , , ,

Who benefits from pets and their owners sleeping in the same bed or in the same room? Humans? Animals? Everybody? Nobody? Research in previous decades has demonstrated the importance of sleep so how does snoozing with your best animal friend affect both parties’ sleep?

For animals, those that sleep with their owners tend to have a stronger bond with the owner and a higher level of trust. Sleeping near another animal or human demonstrates a high level of trust from a dog or cat.

Dogs and cats who sleep with their owners experience higher levels of dopamine and oxytocin, the same “feel good” chemicals active in our own brains.

Unfortunately, when we ask if it is good for the owner’s some signs point to no.

Animals can easily disrupt their owner’s sleep. Animal’s sleep cycles are different. Their getting up, moving around, stepping on you, or noises they might make can lead to the fragmentation of the human sleep cycle. Even if they aren’t outright waking up their owners, the owner’s quality of sleep often suffers. These constant disruptions will pull the owner out of that deep sleep we all need even if the owner isn’t aware of it.

However, owners with anxiety or depression may receive some benefit to relieving the symptoms of those mental illnesses by sleeping with a trusted and loved pet.

A handful of studies using sleep monitors on pets and owners suggest that it might all depend on the particular human and animal. If neither party is disrupting the other’s sleep at worst there would be a neutral outcome.

 

New Study Looks at Correlations Between Poor Sleep and Migraines

Health Issues, , , ,

According to a new study people who experience migraines might get less of the REM sleep stage which is crucial for thinking and memory. REM, rapid eye movement, portion of sleep is a very important part of the sleep cycle which includes more dreaming, bodily movement and faster heart rate and breathing.

The new meta-analysis of 32 studies found that children and adults who experience migraines were more likely than others without migraines to both objectively and subjectively to experience lower quality sleep.

The research in the 32 studies comes from experts wondering whether migraines cause poor sleep quality or if lower quality sleep leads to migraines. The correlation between sleep and migraines has been difficult to study as changes in sleep can also be a trigger for migraines, a result of migraine treatment or even a symptom of the migraine itself.

Study authors wrote that even though about 1 billion people suffer from migraines around the world and that it is a leading cause of disability not many conclusions have been drawn about migraine patients think about their sleep quality and whether or not research data reflects the patients’ experience.

Neurology published the findings.

 

 

 

 

Couples Who Sleep in the Same Bed Sleep Better, According to New Study

Healthy Eating, , , ,

A new study determined that romantic couples that sleep in the same bed at night improve the dream stage of their rest—the rapid eye movement stage. This is one of the most important stages of sleep. The brain consolidates memories during this stage, it also regulates emotions, solves problems and is one of the reasons people dream.

The study found that romantic couples who sleep together in the same bed have longer and unbroken REM periods of sleep.

The study also determined that these couples who sleep in the same bed synchronize their sleeping patterns. The researchers believe this may be a sign of relationship satisfaction and depth. The study even noted that when participants rated their relationship as having a high significance in their life that the sleep synchronization was even stronger.

The stages of sleep are all important. Scientists generally agree there are four phases of restorative sleep.

The first stage is a light sleep. In the second and longest stage people disengage from the environment around them. The third and forth stages are the deepest and most restorative. These are the stages that contain the REM dream state. Additionally during this stage the brain waves eventually emit the slow delta waves. During this slow-wave sleep memories are further processed, the immune system restores itself, the brain makes new neurons and the muscles repaired.

So, couples, snuggle up if you want the most restorative sleep.

Simple Stress Reduction Techniques

Fitness, , , , , ,

One thing you can do to reduce stress is exercise. Scientist think that this will increase blood circulation to the brain, especially areas like the amygdala and hippocampus. These regulate motivation, mood and response to stress. One thing exercise will do is release the body’s so-called feel-good hormones. Scientists have found that it only takes exercise intensity of a moderate level to reduce depression.

Some scientists believe that high impact interval exercise can actually increase stress and inflammation. This is especially true for those who are not used to exercise.
Exercise will also improve your sleep quality which is another thing you can do to relieve stress.

But it isn’t just sleeping more. You are giving your body time to go through enough cycles of sleep to repair itself.

To promote this develop a routine. One wants to teach the body and brain to calm down and get ready for bed about an hour before bedtime. Turn off your devices and TV. A warm bath or shower, reading, listening to relaxing music, meditation, light stretches are all activities that can signal your brain its almost time for sleep. Experts even say you should keep a weekend schedule as well.

Something as simple as taking deep, slow breaths can do amazing things to our brain and therefore our stress, experts said.

Taking deep breaths can do great things for our brain and therefor our stress, scientists say. Learning breathwork gives you the ability to control your own brain to an extent.
When you are able to psychologically calm yourself, you change your brainwaves. Deep breathing realigns the sympathetic system, the source of stress in the body.

These are just a few things you can do to keep yourself stress free that don’t cost you any money and that you can start working on today.

Staying Fit During CoViD-19

Fitness, Health Issues, Healthy Eating, , ,

With people staying home with their stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders, it’s hard to get the exercise your body needs. People are turning to comfort food, baking, doing more cooking and that doesn’t bode well for your “bottom”(line).

As far as eating, try to buy as much fresh produce as you can. Luscious fruits and vegetables that are season in your area. If you can’t find them, next try to rely on frozen fruits and vegetables before having to move onto sugary or salty canned versions.

Meat is becoming an issue so try alternative protein sources like beans, lentils, nuts, eggs. Don’t be afraid to try new recipes or experiment.

Try to move more. Run up and down the stairs, do leg lifts, go on the treadmill while watching TV. Instead of fast-forwarding through the commercials, get up and do a few jumping jacks or other exercises. Get your mask on and take a walk. Set an alarm or timer every hour or two to remind you to get up and move. Put on some fast music and dance to a song or two.

Get enough sleep. Sure you’re worried but you need to get a good night’s sleep. Shoot for at least 7 hours per night.