Sleep Archive

Many people turn to gentle background sounds - like a fan or falling rain - to help them drift off, but not all noise "colors" affect sleep the same way. Research on white, pink, and brown noise is mixed, and experts still emphasize good overall sleep habits first.

Gut health plays a bigger role in overall well-being than many people realize, affecting digestion, mood, and immunity. Simple daily choices around food, movement, sleep, stress, and hydration can support a healthier, more resilient gut.

A power nap lasts anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. The shut-eye can effectively increase alertness and focus, enhance mood, reduce fatigue, and possibly support work performance.

Malaise is a feeling of weakness, fatigue, or being generally unwell. Addressing underlying causes and making healthy lifestyle changes - such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep - can help people with malaise feel better.

The new year is a good time to focus on cognitive fitness. Exercise, healthy eating, mental challenges, good sleep, controlling stress, and social engagement support neuroplasticity and help keep thinking and memory sharp.

People may believe that rest and sleep are synonymous, but sleep is only one form of rest. People need seven different types of rest to feel recharged. These are physical, mental, spiritual, sensory, creative, emotional, and social rest.

Gummies and other products that contain non-intoxicating cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD), may improve sleep. While CBD is generally safe and doesn't have next-day effects, it can interact with certain medications. Whenever possible, people who use CBD products should check the certificate of analysis (which summarizes independent tests of potency and contaminant levels) before buying these products. They should also check with their doctors about potential interactions between CBD and any prescriptions or supplements they take.

Simple, proven strategies to live a longer, healthier life can help people become super-agers, defined as people who reach the age of 70 without any major diseases such as heart disease, cancer, or dementia. These habits include doing strength training to preserve muscle mass, eating a mostly vegetarian diet that provides many healthful nutrients, and prioritizing healthy sleep habits.

Increasing numbers of older adults are using cannabis over recent years. People over 50 report using it to relax, sleep better, feel good, relieve pain, improve mood or mental health, or treat medical conditions. But older adults are more vulnerable to cannabis side effects, such as falls or interactions with prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Many older adults aren't aware that cannabis products today are far more potent than in decades past. Medical visits related to cannabis use rose more than 27-fold among adults 65 and older between 2008 and 2021.

Research suggests that people can exercise in the evening without it affecting their sleep if they avoid physical activity several hours before bedtime.