6 clues in the search for the holy grail of great sleep...and more
I don't think I've ever met a woman over the age of 40 who isn't interested in better sleep--going to sleep, getting back to sleep, or just lusting for the illusive glory of feeling fully refreshed.
Click for a new, comprehensive article, gifted in hopes you don’t hit a paywall. If you do come to a dollar-demanding stop, here’s a quick overview with links to studies quoted in the article. Also see links to a couple other good studies, below.
Caffeine affects sleep differently based on dosage and timing—and the info is surprising. Check this recent study to find out more.
Diet: New studies indicate healthy diets like the Mediterranean diet decrease insomnia. And, you guessed it…unhealthy diets and ultra-processed foods don’t.
Napping benefits depend on the reason we’re napping, and another study questions the 30-minute restriction.
Another new study (tougher reading) shows how napping may be important to clearing out metabolic brain waste. And if you’re ready to talk NREM, see this study. Bottom line on the latter study: “The finding could have implications for improving human cognitive performance and conferring restoration through means other than sleep.”
New treatments and technologies may improve sleep apnea management. While IMO we’re still in the shallow, calm waters on the exciting new GLP-1 angonists —real side effects won’t show up for a while—the FDA recently approved Zepbound for use for sleep apnea with obesity. Zepbound has the same active ingredient as Mounjaro, and it may provide an alternative to PAP therapy. There’s also a lot more about better CPAP options machines and furniture (really) for CPAP in the WaPo article.
And wearables are taking over apnea diagnosis, in case you hadn’t noticed. Many of us would say about time. While we’re not quite ready to close down professional sleep studies yet, new research is coming out comparing wearables promising to enlighten our sleep habits, and many are now equipped with FDA-approved software for apnea detection. At a minimum, the data can kick-start a conversation with your doctor.
For more,
Perimenopausal? HBR has a great summary article on the search for perimenopausal sleep sanity.
Click through with another gifted article on how to adjust sleep positions to make your hips, back and neck happier.
This webpage is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or diagnosis. Consult a licensed clinician for medical advice applicable to your specific needs.