Wenatex Blog :: Healthy Sleep for a Better Life

In January 2008, you may have read in the news about the two inspirational Sydney guys who traveled by kayak for 62 days across the Tasman Sea from Australia to New Zealand.

Well, I read an interesting article about them recently. Not only did they have to endure howling winds, strong currents, lack of food, and wasting muscles on their journey, but they dealt with severe sleep deprivation as well.

I thought you might be interested in the comments that one of the guys, Justin Jones, made about the sleep deprivation he experienced on his journey.

“On the Tasman we had about three hours sleep each night, and it was low quality sleep. [In the days after the voyage] we’d go to sleep, wake up and couldn’t get back to sleep.

I struggled to process things, the memory was not as sharp… it was eight to nine months before we felt normal.”

If you are interested, you can read the full article at http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/sydneys-dynamic-duo-set-for-new-adventure-with-a-twist-20090430-ao0e.html.

Let me know your thoughts.

If you are a “night owl” like me, you will definitely be interested in this story. 

New scientific research has revealed (what I have always known… he he!) that late risers i.e. “night owls” actually have more mental stamina than those who awaken at the crack of dawn i.e. “early birds”.

Check out the article at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090423.wsleep0423/BNStory/Science/home

So are you an early bird or a night owl? Have you adjusted your life or work to take into account your sleeping patterns? Let us know what you think of this story and how it affects you.

Sleep is now recognized as being critical for learning and memory, and now a new study into fruit flies offers clues as to why. From their research, scientists have identified three specific genes critical to the sleep-learning connection. One of these genes is the fly equivalent of a specific gene in humans linked to learning and memory, known as the serum response factor.

So, if you want to learn something new, do as the fruit fly does, get a good night’s sleep!

It is a fascinating article that can be found at http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20090403/sleep-clears-way-for-new-learning. Let us know what you think.

If you are like me and prone to the odd snack or two particularly at night, and you are looking for ways to cut down, you might want to get more sleep. This is the message that comes out of a recent study conducted in the USA.

To read more, go to the article at http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20090109/light-on-sleep-heavy-on-snacks?ecd=wnl_day_040109.

So, get more sleep, your body will thank you in more ways than one.