Tips and Tricks

Fluorescent lighting may help the doctors, but it’s bad for your health and may hinder recovery.

Staying overnight in a hospital likely means that your body needs its rest even more than usual . Unfortunately, the fluorescent lighting that illuminates hospital wings may help doctors read their charts, but it certainly doesn’t promote good sleep.

“In hospitals, the lighting is static and dim all day, every day,” said Mariana Figueiro, PhD, Light and Health Program Director and associate professor at the ...

From sleep trackers to smart alarm clocks designed to work in harmony with your body’s circadian rhythm, these gadgets are worth checking out if you have trouble sleeping.

When it comes to sleep, a lot of us could do better. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that roughly one in three U.S. adults don’t get the recommended minimum of seven hours of sleep per night.

But can technology solve the problem?

“I think sleep tech is fine, but I ...

Valerian root is an herbal remedy that has been used for centuries to promote sleep and help relieve anxiety. Its documented use stretches back to ancient Greece, and many different cultures have adopted it over time.

In the modern United States, valerian is available in many different formulations, and some of them are marketed specifically as sleep aids. But the regulatory framework for herbal supplements is extremely lax, and few if any specific products have undergone scientific studies to show their ...

Yes, I literally taped my mouth shut before bed.

I know what you’re thinking: Here we go again, another useless health scam. While mouth taping (taping your mouth shut while you sleep) might seem like your typical weird wellness trend, it’s actually grounded in serious science. And the good news is, for us mouth breathers, the solution to a better night’s sleep (and a myriad of health benefits!) may be as simple and cost effective as a roll of surgical tape ...

If you’re easily disturbed by a noisy partner, a restless pet, or outside sounds, adding more noise to drown out what’s bothering you might be the answer.

The market is saturated with products to help you sleep better, including sound machines. But do they actually improve your slumber?

Yes, More Noise Can Actually Help You Hear Less and Sleep Better

Masking noise is perhaps the most common reason people turn to sound machines, particularly if they’re dealing with loud pets, partners, or ...

Can’t put that racing mind to bed? Whether it’s stopping you from quickly falling asleep or staying asleep, there’s no question an unsettled mind can be a major obstacle to slumber. “It’s one of the most common problems we hear in our sleep clinic, especially among people struggling with insomnia,” says Lawrence Chan, DO, clinical assistant professor of sleep medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.

If you’re ruminating so much when you first go to bed ...

If “rise and shine” in your life is more like “hit snooze and whine,” try these ideas for making friends with your alarm clock.

When ‘Rise and Shine’ Is Easier Said Than Done

Lots of people set the alarm with the best of intentions, knowing that’s the time they need to get up to meet the day’s demands. But then the alarm clock seems to ring way before they’re ready to rise, so they’re hitting snooze and, eventually, running late. Something’s ...

The only thing worse than a sleepless night is dragging yourself to work the next day. Learn how to cope when you’re sleep deprived with these tips.

Why You’re Not Sleeping Well

In a perfect world, every adult would get somewhere between seven to nine hours of sleep a night — the amount that experts say is needed for maximum health. But that doesn’t always happen. Approximately 65 percent of Americans report experiencing a sleep problem at least a few times ...

Not all pillows are created equal. If you sleep on your side, these are the best pillows for you.

When it comes to pillows, one size does not fit all. Not only do different body types require different pillows, but your sleep style also makes a huge difference in the type of support you need from a pillow. And more specifically, if you’re someone who sleeps on your side, you need extra support to fill the space your shoulders create between ...

Nodding off during the day can be embarrassing. Discover why this happens and how to prevent it.

It happens all the time and it happens to everyone, at least now and then: falling asleep in inappropriate places or at inopportune times. If you’re with friends, it can be funny. But sleeping in a meeting or in the middle of an important lecture can be mortifying.

The problem is more widespread than you might imagine. A 2009 survey conducted by state health departments ...