Science Weekly Is sleep perfectionism making us more exhausted?
18 snips
Oct 17, 2024 
In this discussion, Dr. Guy Leschziner, a consultant neurologist and sleep physician at King’s College London, delves into the troubling trend of sleep perfectionism. He reveals how the rise of sleep tracking tech may fuel anxiety and distort our understanding of sleep quality. They explore 'orthosomnia,' where the obsession with perfect sleep can ironically worsen our rest. Dr. Leschziner also shares insights on the vital roles of different sleep stages and offers practical tips to improve sleep hygiene, highlighting the importance of balance over perfection.
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Importance of Sleep
- Sleep is essential for various functions like restoration, growth, and memory.
- Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to severe health risks, including cardiovascular issues and potentially dementia.
Sleep Duration Variability
- The recommended eight hours of sleep isn't universally applicable; individual needs vary greatly.
- Factors like age, sleep quality, disorders, and medications influence sleep duration requirements.
Sleep Stages and Cycles
- Sleep comprises non-REM (deep, restorative) and REM (dreaming) stages, occurring in cycles.
- Deep sleep dominates the first half, while REM sleep prevails in the latter half, both crucial for different functions.
