ANCSLEEP BLOG

The Benefits of a Four-Day Workweek

Posted by Darian Dozier on Jul 12, 2023 7:10:00 AM

Dear employees, be prepared to send this to your boss so you can get a three-day weekend every weekend. The four-day workweek is making a robust emergence in the wake of COVID-19. As employees value their lives more than their work, employers have had to become more strategic with how they encourage their employees to do their work. This includes shortening the workweek from the traditional five-day workweek to four.

What would be the benefit of this change? Well according to a recent survey, sleep! Employees who are already a part of the 4-day workweek scheme are using their extra day off to catch up on sleep they missed throughout the week. Continue reading to find out more about the benefit of this new change.   

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3 Myths Parents Believe About Kids' Sleep

Posted by Darian Dozier on Jul 10, 2023 6:31:00 AM

The beginning of school will be here before you know it, and it's important to understand your kid's sleep. There is so much information on the internet about sleep, it can be easy to pick up misinformation. But for the sake of your child's well being, it is vital that you understand the truth about sleep.

A lack of sleep can lead to irritability, failing grades, and other inadequacies in your child's life. As they are in a developmentally sensitive period, sleep is optimal for their neurological and physiological health. Continue reading to learn about 3 myths that parents get wrong about their kids' sleep.

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Sleep Difficulties and Sunday Scaries

Posted by Darian Dozier on Jul 5, 2023 8:09:00 AM

Going back to work on Monday can induce a feeling of dread, anxiety, and what some refer to as Sunday Scaries. This can make falling asleep on Sunday difficult for many, which is indicated by the number of individuals who have more trouble falling as sleep on Sunday compared to any other day. Continue reading to find out more about why Sunday is so scary, and what you can do to overcome those anxious feelings. 

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What Happens to Your Body on Different Hours of Sleep

Posted by Darian Dozier on Jul 3, 2023 7:42:00 AM

Do you know someone, or are you yourself someone, that claims they can run on five or six hours of sleep and be just fine? While you may feel okay, the reality is is that getting sufficient amount of sleep requires you to sleep for much longer than five or six hours. Although you may be able to function in the long-term, or your body has adapted to that after years of building that habit, that doesn't mean that you aren't suffering to some degree. Continue reading to find out what happens to your body when you get different amounts of sleep. 

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The Secret to Good Sleep: Stop Trying

Posted by Darian Dozier on Jun 28, 2023 6:15:00 AM

When you experience sleep challenges and sleep deprivation, it is exhausting. Literally. And it seems like the harder you try, the more trouble you have with sleep. You can read all the articles you want to (including this blog), try all the apps, make all the changes, but it just seems like sleep is still not coming. This is not because you are doing anything wrong. But, it has to do with the fact that sleep is a passive process. 

There is nothing you can do to make sleep come on, no matter how tired you are. You just have to let it come to you, which is easier said than done. The key is to not focus on going to sleep, but to focus on the two aspects that drive sleep: drive and arousal. The other tips on the internet do inherently try to achieve high sleep drive and lower arousal, but with too much emphasis on getting sleep, rather than reducing the causes of not achieving those two factors. 

Continue reading to find out how you can do less to sleep more. 

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Sleep Advice that Doesn't Include Putting Away Your Phone

Posted by Darian Dozier on Jun 26, 2023 5:44:00 AM

Much of the advice here on improving sleep encourages you to put your phone in another room, remove all distractions, and make sure your sleep environment is the most optimal for a good night's sleep. However, sometimes those measures are just unrealistic. People need their phones next to them in case of emergency or because of their jobs, etc. Also, many people read books on their tablets, or like to watch TV before going to bed. 

There is a way to improve sleep and smartly utilize technology, so you don't feel like you have to lock all of your devices in a safe during the night. Improving sleep is so nuanced, that there are other aspects of your life on which you can focus to help you get better sleep. Continue reading for some additional sleep tips! 

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To Nap or Not to Nap After Your Workout

Posted by Darian Dozier on Jun 21, 2023 7:44:00 AM

Feeling sleep after a workout? You could be curious about whether or not is the best idea to nap after you get done burning some calories. There are pros and cons to napping after a workout. Well-timed naps can improve alertness, memory and athletic performance, but a nap may also make it more challenging to fall asleep at bedtime. 

Continue reading to learn more about the effects of a workout on the desire to sleep and if it's the best thing to take a nap or not. 

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Dry Mouth at Night: Causes and Prevention

Posted by Darian Dozier on Jun 19, 2023 7:17:00 AM

Xerostomia is a condition in which the mouth is perpetually dry. About 22% of people experience this uncomfortable sensation that can drastically impact a person's life. Dry mouth at night can be extremely disruptive to sleep and cause individual to wake up and grab a glass of water or find some other way to lubricate their mouths. Continue reading to learn more about the causes, and how to prevent dry mouth at night to get better sleep. 

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What are Hypnic Jerks and Why do they Happen?

Posted by Darian Dozier on Jun 14, 2023 6:40:00 AM

Have you ever been lying there, or lying next to someone, and there was a sudden jerk or twitch? And they seem to happen all through the night without anyone waking up or experiencing some sort of crazy dream? 

These are called hypnic jerks, or sleep starts. They are involuntary muscle contractions that you may experience during the night, sort of like a muscle twitch. Hypnic jerks are referred to as a type of myoclonus, and is the equivalent of a hiccup, or rapid, involuntary muscle movements. Hypnic is short for hypnagogic, which means the transition from wakefulness to sleep which is when these twitches occur.  

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What is Polyphasic Sleep, and is it Right for You?

Posted by Darian Dozier on May 3, 2023 11:32:00 AM

Modern sleep culture encourages going to sleep, and sleeping throughout the night. This is known as monophasic sleep because there is one time to sleep. 

Some cultures practice biphasic sleep. This consists of sleeping throughout the night with a daily nap in the afternoon. In those countries, there are two times to sleep. 

Polyphasic sleep schedules involve more than two sleeping periods each day. Quick nap breaks could count, with reduced sleeping throughout the night. Babies are examples of populations who follow a polyphasic sleep schedule. They follow this pattern until they are about three months old, and then they learn to sleep throughout the night with about two naps throughout the day. Others who work unusual hours or jobs that require attention at all times but also follow this sleep pattern.

There are some benefits and harms of polyphasic sleeping. Some prefer it, while others do not. Is it right for you? Continue reading to find out.  

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