William Dement The Promise of Sleep reviewed by Khurram Hashmi

The Promise of Sleep: A Pioneer in Sleep Medicine Explores the Vital Connection Between Health, Happiness, and a Good Night's Sleep

We spend one third of our lives there -- but it's of one of the least understood areas of psychological sciences. Dement has stayed awake all night during his youth -- but not due to insomnia! He was monitoring sleeping test subjects in a university lab!

The science of sleep is just beginning to be understood. Recent books such as "The Promise of Sleep" by William Dement and "Power Sleep" by James Maas belong on our bookshelves as much as those by Walford and Sears. Dement, a Stanford sleep researcher, is convinced that a great percentage of medical problems such as heart attacks and strokes are the result of apnea. Another good resource for sleep info is http://www.sleepfoundation.org.

General tips for getting a good night's sleep:

Set your body clock by keeping the same sleep schedule, every day of the week including weekends. Do not try to "catch up" by sleeping late on weekends.

Create a conducive sleep environment: cool, dark and uncluttered. White noise, eye shades or earplugs can help.

No caffeine (including chocolate or cola) after 6 p.m. Avoid spicy foods in evening meals, including onions and garlic. Finish eating at least three hours before bedtime.

Warm milk is okay; alcohol is not. Benadryl is okay once or twice; ask doctor for guidance on using Ambien.

Avoid computers, TV or arguments an hour before bedtime. Soothing (slow beat) music and mysteries are okay. Horror novels should be avoided. "Boring" technical books may help.

If you are still awake after 20 minutes in bed, get up, go to another room and do some quiet activity. Repeat as needed.

General tips adapted from Time article 20041220.

William Dement The Promise of Sleep
reviewed Khurram Hashmi
The Promise of Sleep: A Pioneer in Sleep Medicine Explores the Vital Connection Between Health, Happiness, and a Good Night's Sleep We spend one third of our lives there -- but it's of one of the least understood areas of psychological sciences. Dement has stayed awake all night during his youth -- but not due to insomnia! He was monitoring sleeping test subjects in a university lab! The science of sleep is just beginning to be understood. Recent books such as "The Promise of Sleep" by William Dement and "Power Sleep" by James Maas belong on our bookshelves as much as those by Walford and Sears. Dement, a Stanford sleep researcher, is convinced that a great percentage of medical problems such as heart attacks and strokes are the result of apnea. Another good resource for sleep info is http://www.sleepfoundation.org. General tips for getting a good night's sleep: Set your body clock by keeping the same sleep schedule, every day of the week including weekends. Do not try to "catch up" by sleeping late on weekends. Create a conducive sleep environment: cool, dark and uncluttered. White noise, eye shades or earplugs can help. No caffeine (including chocolate or cola) after 6 p.m. Avoid spicy foods in evening meals, including onions and garlic. Finish eating at least three hours before bedtime. Warm milk is okay; alcohol is not. Benadryl is okay once or twice; ask doctor for guidance on using Ambien. Avoid computers, TV or arguments an hour before bedtime. Soothing (slow beat) music and mysteries are okay. Horror novels should be avoided. "Boring" technical books may help. If you are still awake after 20 minutes in bed, get up, go to another room and do some quiet activity. Repeat as needed. General tips adapted from Time article 20041220.	The Pioneer in Sleep Science has written this essential manual


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William Dement The Promise of Sleep

reviewed Khurram Hashmi