Ep208 - What Sleep Taught Me This Year | Night Terrors, Nightmares, Sleep Apnea & Gratitude

Jan 1, 2026

This year's reflection delves into the complexities of sleep, highlighting the often misunderstood phenomenon of children's sleep terrors. Insights reveal that nightmares are treatable, with daytime strategies proving essential for improvement. Snoring is a critical health signal, indicating potential sleep apnea, emphasizing the need for personalized care. The discussion also teases the future of sleep medicine, where genetics and behavior intersect, ensuring each person's sleep needs are uniquely met.

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ANECDOTE

Parents Misunderstand Sleep Terrors

Yishan Xu recounts interviewing Dr. Sarah Honaker about children's sleep terrors and parental misconceptions.
He highlights that terrors are asleep phenomena often genetic and different from nightmares.

ANECDOTE

Gratitude For Podcast Recognition

Yishan Xu shares being named Sleep Podcast of the Year by Dr. Chris Winter as a moment of gratitude.
He credits guests, listeners, and patients for the recognition.

ADVICE

How To Respond To Night Terrors

Ensure the child's safety during a sleep terror and do not try to wake them.
Try adding 20–30 minutes of extra sleep to reduce night terrors.

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🎙️ Deep Into Sleep — Year-End Reflection Episode

As 2025 comes to an end, this special episode of Deep Into Sleep is a reflection on what a year of conversations has taught me about sleep, the brain, and the people who trust us with their nights.

Rather than focusing on a single sleep disorder, this episode brings together four meaningful conversations that shaped how I now think about sleep across the lifespan—from childhood to adulthood, from behavior to biology.

In this episode, we explore:

🧠 Children’s Sleep Terrors

Sleep terrors are often misunderstood and deeply frightening for parents.

In this episode, I share key insights from a conversation with pediatric sleep expert Dr. Sarah Honaker.

🌙 Nightmares Are Treatable

Nightmares are common—but nightmare disorder is not something people have to live with forever. In my conversation with Dr. Courtney Worley, we discussed some myths around nightmares.

One key takeaway: improving sleep often starts during the day, not at night.

😴 Snoring Is Never “Just Snoring”

Several conversations this year reinforced one critical message: snoring is not benign. In my discussion with sleep physician Dr. Christopher Allen, we covered why sleep apnea has been described as a “slow killer”—not dramatic, but silent. We also discuss treatment options, including CPAP, and other options, emphasizing the importance of individualized care.

🧬 Precision, Not Guesswork: The Future of Sleep Care

In an upcoming episode with Dr. Kendall Stewart, we explore sleep through the lens of genetics and neurochemistry. When we stop guessing and start tailoring treatment to the individual, sleep care becomes more effective—and more humane.

🙏 Gratitude & Reflection

This year also brought an unexpected moment of gratitude: being named “Sleep Podcast of the Year” by Dr. Chris Winter on his podcast Sleep Unplugged.

I don’t take that recognition lightly. It belongs to every guest who shared their expertise, every listener who trusted this space, and every patient who reminds me why sleep education matters.

If this episode helps you understand your sleep—or your child’s sleep—just a little better, then it has done its job.

Thank you for going deep into sleep with me.

00:00 – Opening: Why a Year-End Reflection on Sleep
01:15 – Gratitude & “Sleep Podcast of the Year” Moment
02:20 – What Parents Misunderstand About Children’s Sleep Terrors
05:00 – Nightmares: Common, Treatable, and Not a Life Sentence
07:45 – Snoring Is Not Benign: Sleep Apnea and Brain Health
11:00 – Precision, Not Guesswork: Biology + Behavior in Sleep Care
13:20 – Final Reflections & Thank You

Show Notes: deepintosleep.co/episode/breathing

RESOURCES

Are you so sleepy that you cannot focus? Are you tired of getting through the day drinking coffee? Are you worried how your poor sleep may impact your health?

Checkout Dr. Yishan Xu’s Insomnia Treatment Course!

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Facebook:@dr.yishan

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