Sleep & Problems Connected with It

“The Connection Between Weight and Sleep Apnea.” National Sleep Foundation, Retrieved from www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-disorders-problems-list/the-connection-between-weight-and-sleep-apnea.

This article talks about the recent studies relating to Obstructive sleep apnea and how it could be connected to weight gain. Sleep Apnea is a disorder where a person’s airway is blocked as they sleep causing irregular breathing patterns. Symptoms of sleep apnea include; excessive snoring, dry throat, fatigue andweight gain. After reading about sleep apnea, I have learnt that I could also have this condition. I only breathe through my mouth when I sleep because I find it difficult breathing through my nose properly. Which causes me to snore throughout my sleep. I think this is a case I need look into and investigate further.

“Sleep Deprivation and Postpartum Depression: How to Tell the Difference”. National Sleep Foundation,Retrieved from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-disorders-problems-list/sleep-deprivation-and-postpartum-depression-how-tell-the-difference

Over the years, it has become common for new parents to experience sleeping problems post-pregnancy. In this research study, about 76 percent of new parents frequently faced with problems with the inability to sleep that could connected to Postpartum depression. Researchers have stated pregnancy has a condition called Postpartum Depression. Postpartum Depression also known as PPD is a condition that affects approximately one in seven parents in the US.Individuals with PPD suffer from the inability to sleep (insomnia), depression, loss of energy, etc. Researchers have said individuals can determine whether they have sleep deprivation by measuring their mood, observing their appetite and looking for solution to treat their condition.

For example, parents who suffer from sleep-deprivation may find that their way of cope with the stress by participating in their favourite leisure activities. The individualmay decide to go on a hike with their baby stroller or engage in a more intimate social activity like a monthly dinner date with friends or game night. I found this article very interesting because my Aunty recently gave birth to twin and she had a history of suffering from Postpartum Depression after pregnancy.

“Feel better about any length of sleep”, National sleep foundation, Retrieved fromhttps://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/feel-better-about-any-length-sleep

This article explains how different factors can affect how an individual feels after they and how these factors can be managed to improve their lack of sleep. Simple factors include our bedroom set up,what we consume and the activities we engage before we go to bed. Researchers state it is important to strive for the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night and any less can affect one’s health. I was intrigued by information in this study. The article provided an outline ofbad habits that has helped me recognize my own; leaving mess in my room, drinking coffee late at night and scrolling through social for hours. By recognizing my bad habits I can improve my overall quality of sleep. Instead ofreceive four to five hours, I will receive 7-8 hour of sleep each night.

“How meditation can treat insomnia”, National sleep foundation, Retrieved fromhttps://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-disorders-problems-list/how-meditation-can-treat-insomnia

This is article explains a therapeutic way of treating sleeping problems. Researchers state that the use of meditation could possibly treat sleep deprivation. Researchers claim that meditation is a therapeutic technique that can help improve sleep quality, and make it easier to fall asleep at night. I think this is a very interesting option that could definitely help treat my sleeping problems and providing a peaceful way of to relieve stress and anxiety that could be having an affect on my sleep.

“Why soda impact’s you Zzz’s”, National sleep foundation, Retrieved fromhttps://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/why-soda-impacts-your-zzzs

This article evaluates how soda could be having an impact sleep. When a person is not receiving sufficient sleep, they need to take a close look at their diet and what theydrink during the day. Although,coffee and alcohol are substances that are known to increased dopamine levels, boost brain activity and negative impact on sleep, another drink is closely linked to sleeping issues is soda. In this article, people who consume high-sugar, caffeinated drinks usually less than 5 hours a night. Which is below the daily requirements for any individual. As a child, I had problems with my weight and I think this is related to bad food and soda I use to consume on a regular basis. However, years later I do not drink soda anymore so It isn’t a factor in the issue of lack of sleep.

“How Blue light affect kids and sleep”. National Sleep foundation, Retrieved from,https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/how-blue-light-affects-kids-sleep

It can be a challenge to force children to stop watching TV or using electronic devices before bedtime. Researchers claim that the blue light that is released from television and other electronic screens can slow down sleep-inducing melatonin, which can increase individual alertness, and even alter an individual’s internal biological clock causing sleeping patterns to change. For example, blue light in electronic devices is a big problem for adolescents as they tend to stay up for longer and eventually fall asleep during the early hours of the morning. These sleeping problems can transition into adulthood andhave an impact on individual’s mental and physical health, and could possibly lead lead mental conditions like depression.

“Melatonin and Sleep”.National Sleep Foundation,Retrieved from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/melatonin-and-sleep

This article provides the biological process behind our cycle of sleeping and waking and how human sleep is regulated through exposure to light and darkness. Researchers state that exposure to light can stimulate a nerve impulse from the eye to the control center of brain also known as the hypothalamus.There, a special center called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)signals to different areas of the brain that control hormones, body temperature and other functions that play a role in making us feel tired or wide awake. I found this article intriguing because we can easily improve our quality of sleep by lessening our exposure to light.

“Child’s Stress and Sleep”. National Sleep foundation, Retrieved fromhttps://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/childrens-stress-sleep

This article evaluate an issue that chronic stress is frequent side effect in a bad sleep. Chronic stress can cause children to experience difficulty falling asleep after a nightmare and ask their parents to sleep in bed with them. The anxiety that these child can cause them to experience symptoms such decreased appetite, headaches, fatigue, abdominal pain, aggressive andstubborn behaviourand inability social and fully-interact with other people. Family activities such as game nights and family dinners can help reduce their child’s stress. If they find that these activities are not working, they should contact a pediatrician as soon as possible.I found this topic very interesting because my cousin had suffered from chronic stress as a child then end up experiencing depression during her adolescence. As a child she would wake up crying from nightmares because she thought they were real.

“Can music help you calm down and sleep better”. National Sleep foundation. Retrieved fromhttps://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/can-music-help-you-calm-down-and-sleep-better

This article claims that music is more than a sound that we simply enjoyable to listen to. Musiccan manipulate our parasympathetic nervous system by allowing our body relax, unwind and get ready for sleep. Researchers state that older adults who listen to 45 minutes of relaxing music before bed fall asleep faster, sleep longer. Researchers continue to say that young adults are presented the option to either listen to classical music, listen to audio book, or nothing before they go to bed. They found that the ones who relax with music improve their quality of sleep and receive a greater amount of sleep than those who don’t listen to music at all. Music has the power to reduce our heart rate and breathing, lower our blood pressure, and also triggers muscle relaxation which is important when it comes to resting and recovering during sleep.

“Debunking sleep myths: Does your brain shut down when you sleep?”, National Sleep Foundation,Retrieved from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/debunking-sleep-myths-does-your-brain-shut-down-when-you-sleep

This articles dives into a common myth of sleep among society. When we lay down to sleep at night people think our brain switches off for a period of time; however, this is not true at all. Researchers have said that even as people lay down to rest and fall asleep our brain is constantly working away to repair, recover and rejuvenate several areas of the brain so you continue to live with a clear and refreshed mind. The brain is a machine that operates 24/7 to ensure that all our bodily processes and areas of our body are fully functioning. I found reading very interesting because I had assumed that the brain slow down and eventually switched off during sleep but now I understand if the brain stops functioning even for a few minutes this could be fatal.