Reader's Digest

(avery) #1

READER’S DIGEST


Sleep-deprivation symptoms
aren’t definitive proof that you have
sleep apnoea. Nor for that matter
issnoringbutbothareworthin-
vestigating. “The diagnosis is ulti-
mately confirmed through a home
sleeptestorpolysomnogram”says
Gelb.“Youcanorganisethisthrough
your medical practitioner.”


HOWTOSHAREABED


When it comes to sleeping there
areprosandconstohavingabed-
mate. Given the common realities
of snoring rolling over and hogging
the blankets tucking in alone will
generally garner better results when
one’s sleep quality is measured with
objectivecriteriasuchastheamount
of slow-wave sleep a non-REM stage
thatiskeytomemoryconsolidation.
Conversely people tend to be more
subjectively satisied with their shut-
eyewhentheycuddleupnexttoa
lovingpartner–itreleasesoxytocin
afeel-goodhormonethatreduces
stressandpromotespairbonding.
Here are t wo ways to reap t he bene-
fits while minimising the downsides:
■Make sure your mattress is large
enoughfortwoandifyourpart-
ner’smovementsareanissueoptfor
memoryfoam;you’llbelesslikelyto
feeleverytossandturn.
■Work on your par t nership. Bad
sleepislinkedwithpoorrelation-
ship satisfaction and vice versa. It’s
an equation that can be tackled from
either side.


Getting enough sleep
isn’t only about avoiding
negative consequences.
Science has also
uncovered loads of
encouraging benefits
to achieving the
recommended average
of eight hours per night.
Recent evidence suggests
that it leads to:
■Enhanced ability to
read facial expressions
■Better immune-system
functioning
■Fewer cravings for
sweet treats
■Lessened chronic pain
■More measured
approach to risk-taking
■Less inflammation

SURPRISING
PERKS OF
ADEQUATE
SHUT-EYE
Free download pdf