The Science of a Good Night's Sleep
Do you struggle with sleep? This week Drew Ackerman of Sleep with Me podcast tries tips for a good night's sleep, and we explore why it's so important to our well-being.
\n\nLink to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4zhdc58z
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Episode summary:
\n\nA good night\u2019s sleep can be hard to come by, and beating yourself up over not sleeping enough will only make it worse. On this episode of The Science of Happiness, the host of Sleep With Me podcast Drew Ackerman joins us to try science-backed tips for finding your natural sleep rhythm. Drew, also known as \u201cDearest Scooter,\u201d talks about his history with insomnia and sleep anxiety, sleep hygiene, and his philosophy on bringing more self-compassion into his approach to trying to fall asleep. Then we hear from sleep scientist Eti Ben Simon about how sleep affects your social life.
\n\nPractice:
\n\nHere are four tips to help you sleep from Dr. Eti Ben Simon.
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Avoid alcohol and caffeine after 2 p.m. to unmask your true biological sleep needs.
\nKeep lights dim in the evening and limit access to LED lights after 9 p.m.
\nGo to sleep as soon as you feel tired (even if you're in the middle of something). This will help you figure out the earliest window it is physiologically possible for you to fall asleep.
\nDo not use an alarm clock to wake up.
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Try a version of this practice with the sleep tips in this article by expert Eti Ben Simon:
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Today\u2019s guests:
\n\nDrew Ackerman You might know Drew as his alias, \u201cDearest Scooter*,\u201d* the host of Sleep with Me podcast. Drew struggles with bedtime worries and has a history of insomnia himself, but he\u2019s great at helping others sleep. Sleep with Me is one of the most listened-to sleep podcasts. On each episode, \u201cScooter\u201d lulls listeners off to dreamland with meandering bedtime stories intended to lose your interest.
\n\nListen to Sleep With Me Podcast: https://pod.link/sleep-with-me
\n\nFollow Drew on Twitter: https://tinyurl.com/2p8nrhnp
\n\nFollow Drew on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearestscooter/
\n\nFollow Drew on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sleepwithmepodcast/
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Eti Ben Simon is a sleep scientist and postdoctoral fellow at UC Berkeley, where she works at Matthew Walkers\u2019 Center for Human Sleep Science.
\n\nLearn more about Eti and her work: https://www.sleepingeti.com/
\n\nFollow Eti on Twitter: https://twitter.com/etoosh
\n\nFollow Eti on Google Scholar: https://tinyurl.com/328aa5yr
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Resources for A Good Night\u2019s Sleep
\n\nPsychology Today - What\u2019s Your Sleep Type? Two forces that dictate our sleep, by Eti Ben Simon: https://tinyurl.com/2nesff8t
\n\nMatthew Walker\u2019s 11 Tips for Improving Sleep Quality: https://tinyurl.com/2kadu7va
\n\nTED - Sleeping with Science: https://tinyurl.com/23mmbdy3
\n\nHarvard Health - 8 Tips to Get a Good Night\u2019s Sleep: https://tinyurl.com/2p8um9z7
\n\nBBC - Why Do We Sleep? https://tinyurl.com/2p8z9v2d
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More resources from The Greater Good Science Center:
\n\nFour Surprising Ways to Get a Better Night\u2019s Sleep: https://tinyurl.com/2p832bh5
\n\nHow Mindfulness Improves Sleep: https://tinyurl.com/2p8rhkhj
\n\nYour Sleep Tonight Changes How You React to Stress Tomorrow: https://tinyurl.com/2p8zvbjz
\n\nTell us about your experiences and struggles with falling asleep by emailing us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or using the hashtag #happinesspod.
\n\nHelp us share The Science of Happiness!
\n\nLeave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or copy and share this link with someone who might like the show: pod.link/1340505607