Sleep Inertia Ever wake up feeling that you’re not waking up? That parts of your brain do not want to and cannot rise from slumber, that alertness is far away? Welcome to the problem of sleep inertia. Sleep inertia can and often occurs when people wake up not feeling fully rested. In theory, if we’re […]
Controlling weight and diabetes requires real rest (5/9/11)
It’s No Fun to Fight the System “I’m sleeping less than I ever have and that’s gonna make me gain weight? You’re kidding! I have to use more energy to stay awake, so how does that cause weight gain?” I hear similar stories most days. It’s time for people to look at how their bodies […]
Is sugar poison? (5/5/11)
Villain or Hero? We like our villains simple and singular, whether in politics or food. Our brains crave order, but seeing issues as part of larger systems is too complicated, too effortful and time consuming to seem worth it. Besides, it makes for lousy copy. Better to choose a villain. Recently, patients have been coming […]
Use the news – don’t be used by it (4/22/11)
Fascination or Entertainment? You can’t stop watching. Night and day your head and eyes turn to the screen. The images flow like waking dreams. Walls of water lift up Japanese houses and schools like paper toys. Hundreds of thousands in Tahrir Square shout the end of dictatorship, chanting, singing, then cleaning the street refuse of […]
Depression and insomnia – what causes what? (4/18/11)
Is Depression Making Me Sleepless, Or Is Insomnia Making Me Depressed? Depression and insomnia are common and possess common symptoms. Some estimate that 30% of Americans will eventually experience clinical depression, and perhaps 40% of adults complain that many or most nights they don’t get enough sleep, wake too often, or feel unrested on awakening. […]