ANCSLEEP BLOG

The pandemic has come with its fair share of troubles, and sleep has been no exception. People all over the world have been struggling to get a good sleep pattern due to a variety of reasons. Schedules are simply not the same, and with the blending of home and work environments, it can be difficult to relax enough in your sleeping environment to get solid rest. This has led to a rise in the use of melatonin. However, melatonin is not the cure-all supplement for sleep that it seems. Here we will discuss the rise of melatonin and its potential complications. 

Melatonin is a natural hormone that is produced by the body at night. It is controlled by the amount of light that is allowed into the eye. It helps the body wind down and get ready for bed. Sometimes, when the body does not produce enough melatonin, there are exogenous options, or melatonin pills, that can help those who are having trouble falling asleep. However, those supplements come with some potential problems, of which you need to be aware. Continue reading to find out some things about melatonin that should give you pause before depending heavily on that supplement for good sleep. 

The midday slump is the antithesis of getting things done during the day. It can happen mid-morning to mid-afternoon as you're counting down the hours to be done with your day. Maybe you are a student and trying to stay awake in class. Or, perhaps you're in meetings all day and finding it hard to stay awake. Here are some tips to stay productive and alert when you start to get tired. 

Sexsomnia, also known as sleep sex, is a type of parasomnia disorder. Parasomnia disorders are those that happen while you are asleep, and are supposed to be "paralyzed" essentially. People with sexsomnia engage in sexual behaviors, like masturbation, sexual movements, sexual aggression, or initiating sex while they are asleep. Their eyes may be open, and they may be making noises, but they are unaware of their behavior once they wake up. 

Sexsomnia can cause a lot of shame and distress for individuals with it and any bed partners. Here is some more information about what it is and how it can be addressed. 

Has your sleep been turned upside down? Or maybe you've never gotten good sleep. Either way, it's essential to get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep. Without it, you put yourself at risk for sleep deprivation, which leads to excessive daytime sleepiness, mood dysregulation, trouble concentrating, and memory problems. Here are some ways to turn your sleep habits around, or maybe even develop them, so you can get optimal sleep. 

There is a gland in the neck called the thyroid. It produces thyroid hormone that is responsible for regulating many processes in your body. When the gland no longer produces these hormones, it can have detrimental effects on many processes, including sleep. Continue reading to find out if your thyroid may be the reason you're having trouble sleeping. 

Falling asleep at work can be frustrating and create issues with productivity, especially if you work in a place that absolutely requires your devoted attention (e.g., schools, warehouses, etc.). Sometimes it feels like this enormous weight of sleep is upon you, and there is nothing you can do but succumb to it. If it happens every now and again, then it may be behavioral. But, if it's happening all the time, that can be cause for concern. Continue reading to find out why you may be falling asleep at work and how to prevent it. 

If you struggle with insomnia, then you may have issues staying asleep throughout the night. When you are sleep deprived, you can have issues with mood regulation, focus, attention, learning, and memory. Sleep quantity is important - the number of hours you are in bed. However, sleep quality is also important - the type of sleep you are getting. 

Many individuals wake up in the middle of the night. Up to 35.5% of individuals wake up in the middle of the night at least three times per week. Wake-ups normally happen in the earlier stages of sleep, or the light stages. Stress can cause these awakenings, fluctuations in blood sugar or hormones, as well as physical discomfort. Here are 10 things you can do to reduce these nighttime awakenings.  

Exhaustion from not getting enough sleep is fairly easy to recognize, and the solution seems fairly straightforward if you can improve your sleeping patterns. However, emotional exhaustion is a different type of exhaustion that can be harder to overcome. In this article, we will talk more about what emotional exhaustion is and how it can impact sleep. We will then finish with a discussion on how to overcome and prevent emotional exhaustion. 

Cortisol is known as the stress hormone in your body. It is released from the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA), which is the part of your brain that is responsible for the release of several key hormones in your body. Cortisol has a variety of functions, and when normal, is essential for key body functions. However, when levels of cortisol are abnormal, there are some key consequences, including your sleep. Continue reading to find out how cortisol affects your sleep.