Sleep News – New Research in the World of Sleep

From great news about sleep tourism to sleep-induced generosity to stupid news about mouthtaping, we’ve got the 411 on what’s happening in the world of sleep this week

The world is traveling again (yay!) and we’re excited about this new travel trend: sleep tourism. Would you consider a vacation that’s designed to improve your sleep health and overall well-being? Count us in.

If travel’s not on your horizon, check out the best headphones for sleep. Whether it’s on your commute or in your bedroom, better sleep begins with quiet.

Trendwatchers might be interested in mouthtaping. But it’s more of a cautionary tale than solid advice for getting a better night’s sleep. We’ll trust science on this one, thanks anyway TikTok.

The rise of sleep tourism

Staycations are so 2020. Welcome to the new world of sleep tourism where your sleep concierge is here to cater to your every nocturnal need. From sound-proof rooms and guided meditation to weighted blankets to sleep-inducing teas and pillow mists, your wellness and well-being through better sleep is the priority. What’s exciting is the wide variety of sleep-focused programs beginning to emerge at hotels and resorts around the world. Consider returning home from a vacation well-rested. Refreshing, right? Read more on cnn.com

How our sleep habits changed during COVID

Thanks to data collected from global Samsung Health (sleep tracker), we’re beginning to see how the pandemic changed our sleep habits. The good news is that most of us are sleeping more now than we did in the before times. Sleep efficiency is another story though – and it’s not a happy one for Americans who seem to be suffering more than most. See how your changing sleep patterns compare with the rest of the world. Read more: samsung.com

The best headphones for sleep

A quiet, dark bedroom helps you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer and get the restorative REM sleep that’s crucial for optimal health. But it’s not always possible to control your sleep environment – especially if you’re trying to catch a quick nap on your commute. To help you achieve restful, uninterrupted sleep, the editors of MBG.com have rounded up the absolute best headphones for sleeping. Read more: mbg.com

Not enough sleep might make you less generous

Why bother studying how helpful people are when they’re overtired? More and more studies, including this one, are studying how sleep deprivation affects both individuals and their network of friends and family, says Eti Ben Simon, a scientist at the University of California at Berkeley who co-wrote a study published in PLOS Biology. “If you’re not getting enough sleep, it doesn’t just hurt your own well-being, it hurts the well-being of your entire social circle, including strangers.”

The good news is that unlike personality traits, sleep can be modified, which may help us make a better world for everyone. Read more: washingtonpost.com

And now for the stupid news of the week – #mouthtape on TikTok

According to TikTok, it’s hip to tape your mouth shut before hitting the sack. Some influencers claim it reduces jungle morning breath and cavities and helps them sleep better and wake up with so much more energy. What could go wrong?

Time to get real. Taping your mouth shut is not likely to help you sleep and it may be a dangerous practice, says David Schulman, professor of medicine at Emory School of Medicine and president of the American College of Chest Physicians. “I do not advocate that patients tape their mouth for sleep. If they snore and might have sleep apnea, that can get worse. So that’s particularly a dangerous thing to do.” Read more: cnbc.com

If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep, forget the mouthtaping and try these tips instead:

• Avoid eating or drinking alcohol 2-3 hours before bed.
• Make time for a walk in the sunshine throughout the day – or at least sit near a sunny window.
• Take a warm shower or bath before bed to help your muscles relax and adjust your body temperature for sleep.
• Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique: inhale for four seconds, hold for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds. Helps with stress during the day too.
• Set your bedroom temperature to about 68-70 F to prevent overheating through the night.
• Keep electronics out of the bedroom. Turn off screens or shift phone to night mode at least an hour before bed.
• Use white noise as background noise instead of TV shows or movies.

Rest well & wake up ready to go!

Better sleep gives rise to better mornings, bringing your goals into focus and dreams within reach. Hungry for more sleep info? Dig into these posts:

• The anatomy of an ideal bedroom
• What’s your post-pandemic sleep story?
• Do you have a mattress protector on your bed?