How Did You Sleep?

Posted on by Linda McCann

How did you sleep?  That’s a common early morning question in many households and for good reason. There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep.  You know, where you wake up feeling refreshed and rested and say ‘what a blessing’, and ‘I want more sleeps and mornings like this’.

I have been curious about the science of sleep for some time, why sleep is important, the impact of sleep deprivation, and how we can get a better sleep.  I have been following sleep scientist Matthew Walker since the publication of his 2017 bestseller Why We Sleep: Unlocking the power of sleep and dreams.  Walker is passionate and knowledgeable about all matters sleeping.  

I recently listened to Rich Roll interview Walker.  It’s a long podcast, but so worth a listen.  It’s really a master class on sleep.  Although they explore the expected topics of the why and how of sleep, I especially appreciated Walker’s updates on the relationship between sleep and immunity and sleep and mood, how caffeine and alcohol affect our sleep, and his observations of sleep patterns during the pandemic. 

In this broadcast Walker identifies and provides research on what he now sees as the key tools for improving sleep: 

  • Keep it cool (the temperature that is)
  • Keep the hours regular
  • Keep out caffeine & alcohol
  • Keep it dark

The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep. J. Cossman

 Matthew Walker is Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and Founder and Director of the Center for Human Sleep Science. He has received funding awards from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, and is a Kavli Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Sleep is essential to self care and a foundation for emotional intelligence. These are popular and timely topics for leaders.

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