The Excerpt SPECIAL | Insomnia is a global epidemic. How do we fix it?
Jul 24, 2025
Jennifer Senior, a Staff Writer at The Atlantic, shares her personal battle with insomnia, highlighting its alarming prevalence among adults. She discusses how societal pressures disrupt sleep and challenges the myth that we all need eight hours nightly. Senior emphasizes the mental toll of sleeplessness and effective treatment options, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI). Additionally, she confronts the stigma surrounding sleep medications, advocating for a thoughtful approach to their use while exploring our historical relationship with sleep patterns.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Modern Life Disrupts Sleep
- Modern life disrupts natural sleep with constant work interruptions and disconnection from natural rhythms.
- Technology and work demands keep people awake, breaking our circadian clocks.
Sleep Duration Myths Debunked
- The 8-hour sleep rule is more myth than fact; 6.5 to 7.4 hours may yield better health.
- Sleep needs vary by person and change through life, according to large observational studies.
Causes of Sleep Problems
- Early school start times clash with teen circadian rhythms, worsening sleep deprivation.
- Anxiety and the "sandwich generation"'s burden further contribute to widespread sleeplessness.