Five Sleep-Related Questions You’ve Always Wanted to Ask

More and more people are prioritizing their sleep. As new studies come out revealing the importance of sleep, it’s getting much harder to ignore the effects that poor sleep quality can have on your body. Here are a few of the most common sleep-related questions that everyone wants to ask at some point:

1. “Should I be sleeping with my cellphone next to me?”

The good news is that sleeping with your cellphone on your nightstand or bed doesn’t pose any health risks. Any radiation emitted from the phone, whether it’s charging or not, won’t hurt your sleep quality. The trouble is that electronic devices, like cellphones and e-book readers, emit something called “blue light.” This type of light has an effect on the human brain similar to natural sunlight: it disrupts the body’s processes of “getting ready” for sleep. Specifically, it disrupts the production of melatonin. It’s fine to sleep with your phone or tablet nearby, but try to avoid reading an e-book or answering emails before bed.

2. “As you get older, is it harder to get a good night’s sleep? Why?”
Even though 46% of parents who have young children say they could use more sleep at night, it’s not until a person is in their 60s that they typically start experiencing problems with their sleep schedule and overall sleep quality. Approximately 25% of working-age adults in the U.S. experience insomnia, but around 50% of elderly Americans suffer from this condition. There are several reasons why it gets harder to sleep soundly at night: needing to use the bathroom, taking medication, and simply not being able to find a comfortable sleep position.

3. “Are naps good or bad?”
If you nap all day, you aren’t likely to find it easy to sleep at night. Nevertheless, quick naps during the day can be very beneficial. Afternoon siestas can be great for anyone who finds themselves getting sleepy between noon and three in the afternoon. Powering up with caffeine instead of taking a quick nap can actually make you even more tired.

4. “How come I’ll wake up from naps, or sometimes wake up in the morning, still exhausted?”
If you aren’t getting between seven and nine hours of sleep per night, you probably aren’t sleeping enough. If you are getting enough sleep, it could be that you’re waking up in the middle of your REM cycle. This means that your body has entered a state of deep sleep, so when your alarm clock goes off and you jolt awake, your body struggles to adjust. If you wake up in the middle of a REM cycle, don’t be surprised if you end up feeling tired for the rest of the day.

5. “Why is it easier to fall asleep while watching TV and while sitting in a reclining chair?”
First, some people find it easier to fall asleep with the TV or radio playing because it provides “white noise.” The sounds function as background noise and if there are loud noises, such as a car driving by or a person yelling outside, the noise from the TV or radio covers up some of that more disruptive noise. Second, it’s often easier to fall asleep on a chair that reclines because it provides more support than a traditional flat bed.



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