Fresh Air Can't Sleep? You're Not Alone
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Jul 7, 2025 Jennifer Senior, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer at The Atlantic, shares her 25-year battle with insomnia and the insights from her latest article on the topic. She discusses the psychological challenges of sleeplessness and dismantles myths around sleep medications. The conversation also highlights the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. Senior links her experience to broader health issues like long COVID, offering coping strategies to improve sleep. Additionally, David Bianculli reviews a new documentary on Ms. magazine's impact on feminism.
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Jennifer Senior's Insomnia Onset
- Jennifer Senior experienced insomnia starting at age 29, after previously sleeping soundly through the night.
- Her initial reaction was bafflement, not panic, as she couldn't determine why she suddenly couldn't sleep well.
Melatonin Use Tips
- Avoid high-dose melatonin as it often causes feeling off and does not improve sleep in regular schedules.
- Lower doses timed at sunset can better regulate circadian rhythms if used properly.
Debunking the Eight-Hour Myth
- The myth that everyone needs eight hours of sleep is a tyranny and varies by person and age.
- Research shows optimal health outcomes associate with 6.5 to 7.4 hours of sleep for most people.
