The Sleep Environment

Here's another great article from the National Sleep Foundation entitled "The Sleep Environment." This article elaborates on the need for a sleep environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool. It mentions earplugs, sleep masks, blackout blind and white noise, as well as the benefits of light therapy using a light box -- all products that can be found at The Complete Sleeper. Sleep better the healthy way!


THE SLEEP ENVIRONMENT

Does that drip, drip, drip of the faucet keep you up at night? Do you need to keep your fan running because "white noise" helps you sleep? Have you ever tossed and turned because you were too hot, or too cold? What about the barking dog or cat that jumps onto your bed – have they ever disrupted your zzz’s? Most of us recognize that the sleep environment can greatly affect how (and if) we sleep, but are you doing everything you can to make your bedroom a sleep haven? Learn about the do’s and don’ts of the sleep environment and then get tips for making your bedroom more sleep-friendly.

Noise

Noises at levels as low as 40 decibels or as high as 70 decibels generally keep us awake. That means that a dripping faucet can steal your sleep, as well as the next door neighbor’s blaring stereo. But the absense or presence of a familiar noise can have as great an impact on your sleep as out-of-the-ordinary noises – studies show that sirens and traffic noise from a city street can actually become soothing to longtime city sleepers (they will cringe at the thought of sleeping in the serene desert or mountain climate) just as the absence of the tick, tick, tick of your favorite clock while you try to sleep at a hotel can become a sleep stealer.

What to do: Try to block out unwanted sounds with earplugs or use "white noise" such as a fan or an air conditioner [or a sound conditioner]. Take your favorite clock with you when you travel in order to recreate familiar sounds that help you sleep (as long as they won’t keep your neighbors awake!)

Temperature

In most cases, temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit and below 54 degrees will disrupt sleep, but even sleep researchers fail to agree on the ideal temperature for sleep. The point at which sleep is interrupted due to temperature or climate conditions varies from person to person and can be affected by bed clothes and bedding materials selected by the sleeper. In general, most sleep scientists believe that a slightly cool room contributes to good sleep. That's because it mimics what occurs inside the body when the body's internal temperature drops during the night to its lowest level. (For good sleepers, this occurs about four hours after they begin sleeping.)

What to do: In general, sleep scientists recommend keeping your room slightly cool -- but achieving the ideal temperature isn’t always simple. What do you do if you and your partner disagree about room temperature? Turning the thermostat down at night in cold weather saves on fuel bills and sets the stage for sleep. Blankets, comforters or electric blankets can lock in heat without feeling too heavy or confining. Or the heat-seeking partner might dress in warmer bedclothes while the warmer partner might opt not to wear sleep clothes or bed covering. In summer, a room that's too hot can also be disruptive. In fact, research suggests that a hot sleeping environment leads to more wake time and lighter sleep at night, while awakenings multiply. An air conditioner or fan can help, and a humidifier can provide relief if you’re suffering from a sore throat or dryness in your nose.

Light

Much of our sleep patterns – feeling sleepy at night and awake during the day – are regulated by light and darkness. Light - strong light, like bright outdoor light (which is brighter than indoor light even on cloudy days) - is the most powerful regulator of our biological clock. The biological clock influences when we feel sleepy and when we feel alert. As a result, finding the balance of light and darkness exposure is important. Bright light helps to keep you awake during the day, but during sleep, bright lights can be disturbing.

What to do: Make sure to expose yourself to enough bright light during the day. Find time for sunlight, or purchase a lightbox or light visor to supplement your exposure to light. At bedtime, think dark: a dark bedroom contributes to better sleep. Try light-blocking curtains, drapes or an eye mask. If you find yourself waking earlier than you'd like, try increasing your exposure to bright light in the evening. It may delay sleep onset but as little as one to two hours of evening bright light exposure may help you sleep longer in the morning. Also, make sure to avoid light if you wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Minimize light by using a low illumination night light.

Sleeping Surface

For the most part, we know people sleep better when horizontal and not cramped by space. Not much research has been done to understand the sleeping surface, but it is clear that it plays a role in getting a good night’s sleep. For example, tossing and turning on a lumpy 20-year-old mattress that doesn’t provide support for your back or neck can impede you from getting the sleep you need and make you very sleepy (and stiff) the next day. Mattress experts say that too often consumers believe that ultra-firm mattresses are good for them, but research on patients with back pain found this was not true and a more supple, comforting mattress may lead to better sleep.

Also, know your pillow: research shows that pillows house thousands of fungal spores which can trigger allergies and compromise a weakend immune system. The research shows that synthetic pillows held a greater amount of bacteria than feather pillows – one study found that synthetic pillows had as much as five times more dust-mite fecal matter than feather pillows (feather pillows have thick casing to keeps feathers in) [check out our natural buckwheat and millet pillows]. So, not only can a pillow affect your posture and quality of sleep, but it can also affect your allergies or asthma and make it very difficult to get a good night’s rest.

What to do: Give yourself enough space to sleep. If you share a bed with a partner, make sure it is large enough to give both of you room to move around. Replace an old mattress with a new one, and choose a pillow and mattress that fits you best (soft, firm, thick, thin?) and will be comfortable throughout the whole night. Consumer Reports recently found that consumers who spent 15 minutes or more testing each mattress at the store were more likely to be happy with their purchase. Also, consider encasing your pillow in a plastic cover under your pillowcase to keep dust-mites from interfering with your sleep and allergy or asthma symptoms.

Other Factors

Bed partners with sleep disorders can negatively impact your sleep. Have you ever been kept awake by your partner’s snoring? Or been jolted out of a sound sleep by your partner’s restless movements? If so, you’re not alone. According to NSF’s 2005 Sleep in America poll, 67% of respondents reported that their partner snores, 27% said their intimate relationship was affected because they were too sleepy, and 38% said they have had problems in their relationship due to their partner’s sleep disorder.

What to do: Start off by talking to your partner about the problem. If he/she has not sought treatment for a potential sleep disorder, encourage them to see a doctor. Consider ear plugs if snoring prevents your sleep. Try to create a sleeping arrangement that is comfortable for both you and your partner. Keep the lines of communication open.

TVs, computers, and work in the bedroom are sleep stealing culprits. NSF’s 2005 Sleep in America poll found that 87% of respondents watched TV within an hour of going to bed at least a few nights a week. Doing work, watching TV and using the computer, both close to bedtime and especially in the bedroom, hinders quality sleep. Violent shows, news reports and stories before bedtime can be agitating. The sleep environment should be used only for sleep and sex.

What to do: Avoid highly engaging activities such as watching dramatic TV or doing work close to bedtime. Keep the TV and computer out of your bedroom! Make your bedroom a place that is centered around sleep.

Cats and dogs can be cuddly in bed, but they may be interfering with your sleep. Anyone who has slept with another person in their bed knows that sharing a sleeping space can be disruptive, but when your four-legged friend gets added to the mix, it becomes even more complicated! While a pet can make your sleep environment more comfortable, it is not mindful of whether it is interfering with your sleep.

What to do: Think about providing your dog or cat with a bed in your bedroom, instead of sharing your bed. Well-rested pet owners will have more energy and love to give to their pets!

Make Your Bedroom a "Sleep Haven"

Below is a recent article/blog from Yahoo / Self.com entitled "Why Sleeping is (Almost) More Important Than Breathing". The second piece of advice on getting better sleep is about creating the ideal sleep environment in your bedroom, by using the types of products we sell at www.thecompletesleeper.com:


"Make Your Bedroom a Haven
Draw the blinds and turn on a fan or a soothing CD of nature noises to block out distracting sounds. Swapping ordinary bedroom bulbs for yellow ones (GE makes a 25-watt version sold at drugstores) can help you feel more tranquil as you're getting ready to nod off. Consider treating yourself to a cozy new comforter or putting flowers on your nightstand so that being in your bedroom—and sleeping!—becomes something you look forward to. "

Here is the entire article, which can be found at http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthieryou/2211/why-sleeping-is-almost-more-important-than-breathing/

Why Sleeping is (Almost) More Important Than Breathing

I used to pull all-nighters back in college, forcing myself to stay awake to cram for an exam or finish a paper on art history, my major. I did it because I thought it would help me get ahead, but in the end it always set me back—I wound up tired, cranky and unproductive the next day.

Even though I've grown up (and wisened up) since then, I still have trouble convincing myself to crawl into bed at night: I keep a running tally of all the things I haven't crossed off my to-do list—reading manuscripts, prepping for a TV appearance, even laundry! And I'm always tempted to stay up just a bit longer to get everything done before morning.

So what stops me from burning the midnight oil? Not only has personal experience proved that I'll be more stressed (not to mention less chipper) when I'm sleep-deprived, but studies suggest that not getting adequate zzz's can increase your risk for heart disease and depression, and even cause weight gain (ever found yourself heading to the fridge or the vending machine when you're tired? I have!).

Try these tips to help relax before you hit the sack:

Unplug
Avoid having long conversations on your cell phone before bed: Researchers at Wayne State University in Detroit found that people who were exposed to the slight radiation that emanates from cell phones took longer to fall asleep and spent less time in the deep stages of slumber.

Make Your Bedroom a Haven
Draw the blinds and turn on a fan or a soothing CD of nature noises to block out distracting sounds. Swapping ordinary bedroom bulbs for yellow ones (GE makes a 25-watt version sold at drugstores) can help you feel more tranquil as you're getting ready to nod off. Consider treating yourself to a cozy new comforter or putting flowers on your nightstand so that being in your bedroom—and sleeping!—becomes something you look forward to.

Say Thanks
Once you're under the covers, take two minutes to reflect on the things you're grateful for. Studies show that practicing grateful thinking makes people more optimistic. And going to sleep with happy thoughts will help you sleep more soundly.

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To create that "sleep haven," visit www.thecompletesleeper.com for the best selection of sleep masks, sound conditioners (white noise machines), earplugs, blackout blinds and more.

CNN: Tips to Get the Sleep You Crave

Here's a recent CNN article highlighting many of the products that we sell at The Complete Sleeper, and how they can help you sleep better. Products include:

• Sound conditioners to drown out distracting noises
• Ear plugs also to drown out noises
  
• Eye masks to block out light

Here's the article:

Tips to get the sleep you crave

• Story Highlights
• A constant droning sound can help mask sudden noises
  
• Drinking warm liquids, breathing soothing scents can help you fall asleep
  
• Eye masks can help, but make sure material is soft
  
  

Here are some ways to cope with nighttime disruptions and there are no pills required.

If noise is keeping you awake at night

The trouble with noise isn't loudness but suddenness. A cat fight outside the bedroom window or a horn honking out of nowhere jolts you into alertness. But a steady stream of sound, no matter the volume, usually isn't disruptive. And if that steady sound can mask the cats and the cars, it can help you fall asleep and stay that way.

Sounds that constantly drone like a sound machine or air conditioner can help you fall asleep and stay asleep.

Add white noise: "Background noise is good for two reasons," says David Neubauer, M.D., associate director of the Johns Hopkins Sleep Disorders Center, in Baltimore. "It helps block outside noises, like road-repair workers and your neighbor's stereo. Beyond that, psychologically, it's soothing."

A constant stream of low sound or a variety of recognizable ones - ocean waves, rain, summer crickets - can keep sudden noises from waking you up. Plus, some people find the sounds themselves calming.

Try... Fans, window air conditioners, or anything else that drones continuously. A sound machine is ideal if you don't want to run a fan or an air conditioner all night and if you'd rather hear chirps, croaks, or rushing water. Neubauer says the ones sold by Sharper Image are high-quality and come in a variety of sizes and price points. Real Simple: Sleep aids that diminish noise

Some people also find the steady sound of music or talk radio calming when first falling asleep at night. If that strategy works for you (and doesn't bother anyone else in the room), there's no reason not to use it, says James B. Maas, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Cornell University and a coauthor of Power Sleep. But it's important to use a radio or a CD player with a timer, he says, so the noise shuts off within an hour or so and doesn't wake you later, during lighter phases of sleep.

Plug your ears: Earplugs made of soft foam or moldable silicone, which conform to the shape of the outer ear canal, are inexpensive and easy to use. You can still hear, even well enough to have a conversation, but sound is muffled and unlikely to wake you.

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Try... Super Light Pre-Shaped Foam Ear Plugs or Mack's Safe Sound Soft Foam Earplugs both of which are available at drugstores. Roll a plug between your fingers until it's small enough to slip gently into the outer ear canal; it will slowly expand to fill the space.

If light is keeping you awake at night

Owls, bats, and crickets are designed by nature to be awake in the dark of night. Humans are not. Light is a signal to our brains that it's time to be up and at 'em, which is why bright electric bulbs and television and computer screens make it hard for us to get sleepy at bedtime.

"Limiting your light exposure in the evening tends to transition you into sleep," says Helene Emsellem, M.D., an associate clinical professor of neurology at George Washington University and the director of the Center for Sleep and Wake Disorders, in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

And keeping yourself in darkness all night helps you stay asleep.

Use low light: If you read in bed before sleeping, use a low-power book light rather than a bright bedside lamp to encourage your brain's shift to sleep. "I recommend the kind that clips onto books," Emsellem says.

Try... The "Itty Bitty" Book Light, which plugs into a wall and attaches to your book. It also comes with a battery pack. Real Simple: Sleep aids that diminish light

Block LED glow: Light is often a bigger issue than many people realize. Even the dim red or green LED light from a digital alarm clock can be annoying when you're asleep or trying to fall asleep. "If you have a clock with an LED dial, you should turn it around so that the light, however dim, doesn't get through your eyelids and interrupt sleep," says Maas. Turning the clock will also keep you from checking the time whenever you wake up - thereby raising your anxiety about the sleep you're losing.

Seal off windows: If your bedroom gets early-morning sun or there's a streetlight right outside, Maas says, "the best thing you can do is get darkening drapes or blackout shades."

Try... Shades made of nonwoven polyester, which can keep out virtually all outdoor light if they're well fitted to the windows. Levolor offers a collection of blackout shades called Evening Star, available in 12 colors.

Cover your eyes: Eye masks work, especially if they're big enough to cover the eyes completely. But people who toss and turn a lot may have trouble keeping them in place, and very light sleepers may find having something tied to their heads disturbing, says Robert D. Ballard, M.D., director of the sleep center at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center, in Denver. Soft cloth (terry or fleece) on the side that touches your face will make the mask comfortable and stable, and extra material around the nose bridge will close the pathways where ambient light might sneak through. Wash your mask once a week and it can last for year.

Try... The fleecy Dreamaway Fold-Up Mask from Dream Essentials which is comfortable and blocks out light better than any of the other masks we tested. But if you hate the idea of fleece right next to your face (it can be hot in the summer), choose the lighter-weight Bucky Shades, which have a cotton knit on their face sides.

If you can't relax before sleeping

After dashing at top speed through a busy day, trying to pack in every last e-mail, phone call, and laundry load, how can anyone expect to jump into bed and immediately nod off? Even when you're relaxed, it typically takes about 20 minutes to fall asleep, says sleep expert James B. Maas.

Listen to soft music: Background music has been shown to help improve sleep. In one recent study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, senior citizens in Taiwan who had difficulty sleeping listened to calming music for 45 minutes before bedtime. They subsequently slept significantly longer and more deeply than those who didn't hear the music.

Try... Whatever music you find soothing and relaxing. The Taiwan study used various selections, including harp music by Georgia Kelly, quiet jazz by Paul Desmond, and synthesized sounds by Steven Halpern.

Sip warm drinks: Chamomile tea works for many people, as does hot milk. "Some teas have mild soporific effects," says sleep expert Helene Emsellem. "When you warm milk, it releases tryptophan," an amino acid used by the body to make serotonin, a neurotransmitter believed to promote sleep. "But over time the body can develop an immunity to tryptophan," she adds, "and its sleep-promoting properties dissipate." Some doctors suspect the power of warm drinks resides largely in the ritual of sipping them. "Biologically, we can't find much evidence for these drinks," Maas says. "But psychologically, if they make people relax and reduce stress, they work."

Try... Warm milk, caffeine-free herbal tea, or hot water with lemon and honey. These drinks may help get your body ready for rest.

Breathe soothing scents: Lavender, in particular, is a scent that is said to help lull the body to sleep. But no scientific evidence supports this claim, so experts like Maas, Robert Ballard, and David Neubauer neither recommend nor discourage it. "It's like 300-thread-count sheets," Neubauer says. "If you believe it works, it will."

Try... Anything that relaxes you before bedtime - a gentle scent, say, or a nice, warm bath. Or combine them by adding a drop of lavender oil from the Body Shop or from Purple Haze Lavender Farm to your bath. Purple Haze also makes lavender eye pillows which you can drape over your eyes for a few minutes before falling asleep. Real Simple: Relaxing sleep aids E-mail to a friend

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/03/04/good.sleep/index.html?iref=newssearch

2008 Sleep In America Poll (National Sleep Foundation)

Below is the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) press release from their 2008 Sleep In America Poll.

Nothing shocking: people are sleeping less due to busy work schedules. One third of workers say they are so sleepy they could fall asleep on the job. On average, people say they need 40 more minutes of sleep than they actually get each night during the work week.

Our philosophy? We know most people won't change their behavior. However, you can get the most out your time in bed by creating the best sleep environment possible -- dark, quiet, comfortable and cool (as recommended by the NSF's Healthy Sleep Tips) . The Complete Sleeper can recommend products for you depending on your current sleep environment. See below for the recommendation tool on our home page.

What is causing your sleep problem? (check all that apply to get Product Recommendations)

• Noise (too much, too loud)
• Light (too much, too bright)
• Physical Discomfort (night sweats, poor bedding)
• It's Too Dark, making it hard to wake up or causing me to suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

Visit The Complete Sleeper to use this exclusive product recommendation tool.

Here is the press release from the National Sleep Foundation regarding their 2008 Sleep in America poll.

Longer Work Days Leave Americans Nodding Off On the Job
Sleepy Americans Doze Off At Work, In the Car and On Their Spouses

WASHINGTON, March 3, 2008 — Prolonged work days that often extend late into the night may cause Americans to fall asleep or feel sleepy at work, drive drowsy and lose interest in sex, according to a new Sleep in America poll released today by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF). Spending an average of nearly 4.5 hours each week doing additional work from home on top of a 9.5 hour average workday, Americans are working more and are trying to cope with the resulting daytime sleepiness. In fact, 63 percent state they are very likely to just accept their sleepiness and keep going, while 32 percent are very likely to use caffeinated beverages when they are sleepy during the day and more than half (54%) are at least somewhat likely to use their weekends to try to catch up on sleep.

Of those taking their work home with them, 20 percent say they spend 10 or more additional hours each week and 25 percent spend at least 7 additional hours each week on job-related duties. Almost onequarter (23%) of all respondents did job-related work in the hour before going to bed at least a few nights each week.

Hotels Offering a "Perfect Night's Sleep"

Here's an interesting article from ABC news regarding hotels offering a "perfect night's sleep" with buckwheat pillows, sleep masks and sound conditioners.

We'll help you get that "perfect night's sleep" -- at home for years, not at an expensive hotel for one night. Check us out at The Complete Sleeper.

For Sale: A Perfect Night's Sleep

Hotels Offer Elaborate Sleep Menus With Custom Pillows, Mattresses and More

By JUJU CHANG and MABLE CHAN

March 2, 2008 —

Dubbed "sleeponomics," companies across America are trying to sell us a perfect night's sleep with pills, pillows, white noise machines, aromatherapy, massage, acupuncture and more. And it's fast-becoming a $20 billion-a-year industry.

"Sleep is like sex -- we want more of it, we can't get enough of it. That's selling opportunity for people who need sleep!" explained Melanie Wells, a Forbes business editor. "The value of a good night of sleep is priceless."

Now the hotel industry has jumped into bed with the sleep business.

The Benjamin hotel in New York City has been one of the first cater to the sleepless masses. They offer a "Perfect Night's Sleep" money-back guarantee program. Frequent guest Pauletta Cohn, 60, a former corporate lawyer and lifelong insomniac, has become a loyal customer.

"They do create an atmosphere for you that is a calming atmosphere," said Cohn.

Since she was 18 years old, Pauletta has been a worker bee who just can't seem to find time to unwind. When she goes to bed, it's constant struggle for her to quiet her active mind.

"I think it's just my personality, my chemical make-up & I've never slept well," said Cohn.

Like millions of Americans, she has bought many sleep products that promise answers.

"I've tried the medications they have on the market -- prescription as well as non-prescription -- I've tried acupuncture; none of them have ever worked for me," she said.

The Benjamin hotel's sleep-friendly amenities cater to her insomnia. They offer a very firm mattress and will even slip a board between the mattress and the box spring to make it extra firm.

The hotel also offers her a selection of pillows, or pillow menu, as they call it. "They've got water-filled, they've got hypo-allergenic, they've got the jelly neck roll -- I've tried the buck-wheat & The beauty of this pillow [the buck-wheat], is it's sculpted. You lie down, your head drapes over, pressure is relieved from your neck," Paula said with a blissful look as she showed ABC News Correspondent JuJu Chang her favorite pillow.

The pillows can even be delivered with some cookies and milk.

"We have massage, white noise pillows, slippers, a mask," explained Anya Orlanska, the sleep concierge at the Benjamin. "We want our guest to get a good night's sleep so they can go and be very productive the next day at work."

From sleeping pills to better mattresses, to blue wave light therapy and orange eye mask, a good night's sleep seems to be possible for a price.

Copyright © 2008 ABC News Internet Ventures

Sleep in the News

I am pleasantly surprised that at least once a week, one of the featured stories on Yahoo relates to sleep. Today, for example, an NPR story was featured, entitled "In Today's World, the Well-Rested Lose Respect." There's a picture of Bill Clinton falling asleep during the dedication of his boyhood home. The jist of the story is that people tend to sacrifice sleep in order to achieve more in life, and that this behavior is admired.

Well, I agree that's the way it is (myself included), and nobody's going to change that any time soon. Meanwhile, my philosophy is to get the best sleep I can, no matter how brief it is. That means building up an arsenal of things that fend off loud noises and bright lights that disrupt sleep.

You can only allocate 7 hours a day for sleep? Make the best of it with a sleep mask, ear plugs, a white noise machine, blackout blinds, etc. We sell it all at The Complete Sleeper! If you do the math, you can improve your sleep for pennies a day without resorting to pills.

My arsenal? Every night: ear plugs, sleep mask, white noise machine and blackout blinds. Double protection against noise, and double protection against light. These products have changed my life for the better for nearly 20 years. Try them yourself!

Sleep tight!

Paul

New York Times Sleep Articles

Here's a link to NY Times sleep articles.

Here are some of the best ones:

A Quiet Night’s Sleep? Priceless, if You Can Get It By JOE SHARKEY Most hotels do not like to talk about noise, but one chain is promoting the idea that a noise-free night is part of the deal.August 29, 2006

A Hotel That Reaches Out to Those in Need of Sleep By ANTHONY RAMIREZ Steps away from the No. 6 subway train and Lexington Avenue in full havoc, the Benjamin Hotel has deployed an array of anti-insomnia weapons.October 8, 2007

Hey, Sleepy, Want to Buy a Good Nap? By NATASHA SINGER Although it can be had free, rest is becoming a luxury item.

Frequent Dream - To Sleep on Flights By JOE SHARKEY Sleep, or the difficulty of getting it while flying, is what frequent business travelers talk about most.October 30, 2007

To Sleep, Perchance to Succeed By ALEX WILLIAMS Nighttime self-improvement tapes are making a comeback on the Web.January 4, 2007

Getting a Grip on the Winter Blues By JANE E. BRODYSAD, or seasonal affective disorder, affects one person in five in the United States.December 5, 2006

Performance: Naps May Benefit Night-Shift Nurses and Doctors By NICHOLAS BAKALAR Health care workers who take a nap in the middle of a night shift perform their tasks are better off, a new study suggests.November 14, 2006

Mental Abilities: ‘Sleep on It,’ It Appears, Really Is Good Advice By ERIC NAGOURNEY As people sleep, a new study suggests, their brains may be sorting through the information they have gathered, which could lead to new insights.


Memory: Want to Improve Your Recall? Try Sleeping on It By NICHOLAS BAKALAR The best way to remember something may be to go to sleep after learning it. People appear to remember word pairs best when they sleep after memorizing them, especially when they are challenged with distracting tasks, researchers have determined.July 18, 2006

Patterns: Sleep Proves More Elusive Than Many Believe By ERIC NAGOURNEY Many people think they don't get enough sleep. It may be even worse than they realize.July 11, 2006

Help for Chronic Insomnia Isn't Always Found in a Pill By JANE E. BRODY Sleep therapists have demonstrated the effectiveness of a brief form of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy for treating chronic insomnia.May 16, 2006

A Slight Change in Habits Could Lull You to Sleep By JANE E. BRODY Many of the millions of Americans who now rely on sleeping pills could cure their insomnia simply by changing their living and sleeping habits.April 18, 2006

Women Dress for Comfort in the Heat of the Night By MARY DUENWALD At least five brands of hot flash pajamas have sprung up in the past five years and sales are rising fast.December 13, 2005

The Sleep-Industrial Complex
By JON MOOALLEM
While you’ve been tossing and turning, research scientists, pharmaceutical companies and mattress designers have been hard at work on your eternal nocturnal problem. But what exactly is the problem?November 18, 2007

Mysteries of the Brain and the Science of Sleep, Brought to Life in a Barn
By KATIE ZEZIMA
Dr. J. Allan Hobson has converted part of a remote barn in Vermont into a small, interactive sleep museum for students.

The Science of Zzzzz’s
By PAUL BURNHAM FINNEY
Jet lag is becoming a bigger aggravation in the global economy, leading sleep researchers to work harder to find suitable remedies.August 8, 2006

Here you can subscribe to the NY Times RSS feed on Sleep: What is RSS? RSS Sleep link: Sleep

Enjoy.

Paul
www.thecompletesleeper.com
"all you need for a good night's sleep"
(ear plugs, sleep masks, sound conditioners (white noise machines), blackout blinds, wicking sleepwear and sheets, sunrise alarms, light therapy, travel pillows, etc.)