Being told to “calm down” when you’re in the heat of the moment is like adding gasoline to a fire. How do you avoid the same pitfall when trying to relax when you’re too agitated to fall asleep?

In this week’s episode, I’ll discuss some methods to unwind from the go go go of the day in the transition to sleep.

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Why am I making sleeping so complicated? Can’t you just take a pill, use this tech, this one quick thing? Why so many “rules” and practice and all this talk about habits - can’t it be quicker? Isn’t there a shortcut?

In this episode, I defend my position for not promoting every little gadget, gizmo and gimmick to make you sleep. One of the main reasons? Because not only are the empty promises more disappointing than the prescription medicines discussed in Episode 25, but they rob you of your agency, of your ability to take center stage in your own life as the one in control.

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Did you know that just caring about yourself and others can actually improve your sleep? That expanding your circle of concern can make a world of difference?

In this episode, I review what it means to expand the circle, why you might want to, and how to do it with a practical exercise in compassion.

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Better put the kid’s to bed early, because in this episode, I review some of the data on sleep and sex, including sexual function and dysfunction, fertility, and how improving sleep can improve your sex life.

In short, Valentines day is just better when you’re well rested, no matter your age, no matter your reproductive aspirations. So skip the cards, flowers and chocolate, and give each other the gift of sleep.

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Still trying to fall asleep? Hoping and willing yourself to slumberland is an uphill battle, and a counterproductive one! So do yourself a favor, and stop trying to sleep.

The harder you try to sleep, the harder it will be for sleep to occur.

In this week’s episode, I discuss a more effective target of your efforts when it comes to getting a good night of rest. 

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Don't forget to sleep, because it's sleep that will keep you from forgetting.

In this episode I discuss the link between sleep and memory. And since not all sleep is created equal, there are different memory benefits from different stages of sleep. But nothing compares to getting all the stages of sleep in normal proportions - that is the BEST way to maximize learning and recall.

Tune in to this week's episode to find out more!

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You don't hear me talk much about "sleeping pills" for one very good reason: there is no safe and effective drug to make you sleep. 

A couple may be minimally risky, but most are quite dangerous. And not a one accomplishes what a drug-free night of sleep will do.

In this episode I review just some of the medications people take to induce a sleep-like state, and why drug-free sleep reigns supreme.

Tune in to this week's episode to find out more!

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In this episode I discuss not just how such a judgement is wrong, but how and why meditation and mindfulness have gained such significant traction in the medical scientific community, and why it's such a good idea to engage in yourself.

Going to the gym and strength training improves muscle strength, so why wouldn’t it also make sense that analogous training might also aid us in our thinking or any other private mental action?

Meditation is just a name given to the exercise of intentional thinking, an exercise in the mental gym.

Tune in to this week's episode to find out more!

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The phenomena known as “social jet lag” carries with it some pretty serious consequences to your health. 

In this episode, I discuss some of the impact of having a later schedule on the weekend than the work/school week.

The greater the difference in the timing of your sleep and wake on days off compared to the work/school week, the more severe the consequences.

Your physical health, cognitive health, and emotional wellbeing can all be affected by social jet lag. 

Tune in to this week's episode to find out how.

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In an episode of HIMYM, Ted Mosby relays to his kids words of wisdom from his own mother: Nothing good happens after 2am. Korean Elvis and love triangle shenanigans aside, was she really on to something?

In this episode, I discuss the risks and harms associated with a delay in the body’s internal clock, a delay in sleep/wake timing. 

Tune in to find out more!

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