Somnilopod: Sleep Health Education

We've all heard that sleep is important, but most people still underestimate just how much of a game-changer it is when it comes to learning new skills, getting smarter, and even healing from injuries. On today's episode, we are looking at the role sleep plays in helping us do better.

Ever had one of those nights where your body is exhausted, but your mind just won't shut off? You're not alone. Anxiety and an overactive nervous system are some of the biggest culprits behind sleepless nights. When your brain is stuck in fight-or-flight mode, getting restful sleep feels impossible. But here's the good news—by understanding how your nervous system works and learning to regulate it, you can calm your anxiety and finally get the deep, restorative sleep you deserve. Let's dive into how stress, sleep, and your nervous system are all connected—and what you can do to break the cycle.

Are you tired of lying awake at night, feeling stressed and anxious? Do you struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep due to racing thoughts and worries? On today's episode we're going to address some ways to alleviate those restless nights and say hello to restful sleep.

Is the heat getting you down and affecting your sleep? On todays episode we're going to look at ways to help beat the heat and get a good nights sleep.

Today's episode involves a really interesting and complex sleep disorder: Sexsomnia. If you or your partner have ever experienced this disorder, you need to tune in!

Do you or someone you love suffer from a chronic illness? In todays episode, we will explore strategies to improve sleep quality in cases of chronic illness, addressing the multifactorial nature of sleep disturbances and the considerations specific to managing sleep in this population. 

If you've ever suffered from migraines this episode is for you! Today we will look at the bidirectional influences and underlying mechanisms that intertwine sleep and migraines.

Sticking with our recent theme of dreams, today we'll be talking about a particular type of dream we all experience: Anxiety dreams. Strap in while we try to gain a better understanding of a phenomenon some of us know all too well.

I love a good, interesting dream! Whether it's full of puppies or spiders, or if I'm flying or sitting naked in a classroom while taking a pop quiz, I've always found dreams to be a fascinating field interest. On today's episode, we'll take a look at some of the things that are believed to affect the make-up of our dream landscape.

The recent trend of using medical mouth tape while sleeping has increased in popularity. Let's take a closer look at this controversial practice.

We're talking about brain stuff today! Specifically an older part of our brain that plays a huge role in eating and sleep regulation. Stick around!

When was the last time you had your Iron checked? While it can be a very simple and common blood test, your iron level can impact your sleep in several different ways. Today we're going to talk about the roll Iron plays in sleep.

In our fast-paced and demanding world, the importance of a good night's sleep cannot be overstated. Sleep is essential for physical health, mental well-being, and overall productivity. However, stress and anxiety often plague our minds, making it challenging to achieve a restful night. Today we're going to explore the detrimental effects stress and anxiety have on sleep and provide practical strategies to overcome these obstacles.

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) and its profound impact on sleep quality. Join us as we uncover the science behind this mesmerizing sensation and explore the incredible benefits it offers for a restful night's sleep. ASMR, often characterized by a tingling sensation in the scalp and neck, has gained immense popularity for its ability to induce relaxation and calmness. With millions of ASMR enthusiasts worldwide, it has become a powerful tool in combating stress, anxiety, and insomnia. Through in-depth research and interviews with experts, we shed light on the various triggers that stimulate ASMR, including soft whispers, tapping, and gentle sounds. Discover how these auditory stimuli activate the release of endorphins and serotonin, allowing your body and mind to unwind, preparing you for a deep and rejuvenating sleep. But the benefits of ASMR go beyond sleep aid. We explore its potential role in creating a productive and focused mindset, enhancing creativity, and improving overall mental well-being. By understanding the science behind ASMR, you'll gain insight into how it can positively impact various aspects of your life. Join us on this mesmerizing journey as we unravel the mysteries of ASMR and its immense influence on sleep quality and overall wellness. Prepare to be captivated by the soothing power of ASMR and its transformative effects on your sleep routine and daily life.

It's time to start the new year with some listener questions!

Do you find yourself having difficulty with memory and decision making? Do you have sleep apnea? New research suggests there may be a relationship between the two that we previously didn't recognize.

This is officially my 2 year anniversary for Somnilopod! I'm so grateful for all of you who have stuck with me from the beginning and all of the newcomers that hunger for fun and interesting tidbits about sleep. And speaking of tasty tidbits, I've got a juicy one for you today.

It's time again to take some questions from you, the listener!!!

Revenge sleep procrastination is a growing trend in our hectic, stress filled lives. On today's episode we'll look at what it is and how we might overcome it to return to normal, restful nights.

Getting a good night's sleep is sometimes a pain in the neck…literally! On todays episode we'll have a look at some of the reasons we experience neck pain at night and ways to avoid it.

Getting a good night's sleep can impact us in ways we wouldn't normally realize. On today's episode we'll talk about the interplay between sleep and the immune system.

Recent studies are showing us that quality and quantity of sleep may differ between men and women. Certain sleep disorders also have a sex difference. On today's episode it's men vs women in the quest for a good night sleep.

With Christmas just around the corner I wanted to take a look at a gift guide for the insomniac in your life. On today's episode we'll look at 5 gifts you can give your loved one to help them overcome their nighttime troubles.

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) comes with a myriad of symptoms, not least of which is trouble sleeping. On today's episode we will look at some of the symptoms of PTSD and how best to overcome them

Helping ourselves sleep better as we age is always of interest. Researchers from Zurich are presenting fascinating work into facilitating deep sleep for our older populations. That's what on deck for today's episode.

Walking for exercise can be a fun and relaxing pastime. But if you're interested in deriving specific benefits from walking you often ask yourself: how much and how often should I walk? A recent study is helping to answer these questions and more.

On today's Halloween episode I want to do something a little different. We will be talking about the death of a young woman in 1845 and the surprising legal defense used by her accused murderers' team of lawyers that was the first of its kind in American legal history.

A recent study regarding the use of sleep medications sheds light on prescribing trends in the US. On today's episode, we'll have a look at some of the interesting findings and talk about what's pushing these trends.

Our bedtime routine does a lot to set the stage for getting a good night's sleep. On today's episode we take a look at a recent survey that sheds light on some surprising nighttime trends.

Do you find yourself having trouble getting to sleep on Sunday nights because you're worrying too much about Monday? On todays episode we will look at the Sunday night blues.

Imagine having flu like symptoms one day and waking up 40 years later after having been in a sleep like state the entire time. On todays episode, we will talk about Encephalitis Lethargica  aka Sleeping Sickness, one of the greatest medical mysteries of the 20th century.

Your first day of vacation was full of fun in the sun or maybe an excellent dinner and night out on the town. You lay down for bed feeling exhausted and 20 minutes later you are wide awake. On today's episode we will take a look at things that can affect your wonderful vacation sleep.

To sleep, perchance to dream…in living color. Are your dreams as vibrant as your waking memories? On todays episode, we look at research into the color of dreams.

Do you wish you could have a daily shot of extra energy without having to resort to energy drinks, caffeine, or a nap? On today's episode we'll look at the benefits of meditation and how it can help keep us perky during the day.

It has been quite some time since we did a listener question episode. So join me as I field some of your recent questions.

It's 2pm, I'm at work and my eyes are drooping. Time for my afternoon cup of coffee…or is it? On today's episode we will look at a new workplace trend that has years of solid research behind it: namely, power naps.

On this week's episode, we begin and ongoing series that is all for the Ladies! Women can experience a variety of issues with sleep and sleep disorders that can have a significant impact on their health and well-being. We will begin to take a look at these issues and, hopefully, provide some suggestions for relief.

Are you struggling with your cpap therapy? There is an FDA approved therapy that can replace your cpap unit with an implantable device for an entirely differ treatment experience. On today's episode we will discuss Inspire therapy for sleep apnea.

We all know that a solid night of quality sleep can do us a world of good. I ran across some recent research we will be talking about today that adds fuel to the fire for the importance of sleep quality and heart health.

Is 8 hours of sleep really best for everyone? On today's episodes we will look as some recent and not so recent research that sheds some light on the question of how much sleep we really need.

How often have you proclaimed you were sleepy only to lay down and find you were unable to fall asleep? Were you actually sleepy or were you experiencing fatigue instead? On today's episode, we'll talk about ways to tell the two apart and reason why it's an important distinction.

Have you ever lain awake at night pondering the big questions of the universe? Why are we here? Is there a higher power? How do I know if my sleep is considered “quality” or not? On today's episode, we'll take a look at one of those questions so we can check it off our list of late night ruminations.

Exercise has long been proven to be beneficial to sleep. But did you know that different types of exercise can have a better effect than others? We'll be looking at some recent research into this on todays episode.

Insomnia can often rear its ugly head during times of stress and crazy life events (can you say PANDEMIC?). As a result, we often reach for a quick method to help overcome it in the form of a sleep aid. But is using a sleep aid really the best solution? We'll be taking a look at this on today's episode.

Is your bedside lamp, or nightlight helping or hurting your sleep? On this week's episode, we look at a recent study that will shed some LIGHT on the subject. We also have a product recommendation for www.mantasleep.com  

If you find yourself losing a little sleep here and there you may be incurring some sleep debt. On todays episode, we will be talking about what sleep debt is, what it does to us and if we can ever actually pay it back.

When was the last time you took a short nap and felt less alert when you woke up than you did when you laid down? Or when you got up and ready for work only to realize you had your uniform on inside out? These are examples of a phenomenon called sleep inertia and it's our topic today.

Are you a light sleeper? Easily awakened by the sound of a dog barking next door, or cars driving past on the road? On today's episode, we will be talking about the different types of noise used to drown out ambient sounds and help us sleep better.

On today's one year anniversary episode we will be talking about biphasic or polyphasic sleep and how it may or may not be for you.

On this weeks episode we look at some new research that gives us insight into how our brain prepares for sleep.

We are coming up on my most hated day of the year…and I don't mean Tax Day. On today's episode, we will talk about springing forward for Daylight Savings Time and why it's important to start preparing now to lessen the impact.