Why We Sleep

Why We Sleep

by Matthew Walker, PhD

Thanks to an alum (Beau) for sending me this recommendation.  A good book to read when thinking about what influences productivity in staff.  I plan on using some of what I learned when I meet with the RAs in the coming month.  The book, Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, is a scientific review on the power gained through sleep.  Walker is a PhD heading the sleep study center at UC Berkeley.  The book is broken into four parts: Definition of sleep and its impacts; the benefits of sleep; how we dream and what it means; and the bad effects of sleeping pills, lights at night and what we are learning from data collected from his studies.  Walker ends his book with twelve relatively simple steps to enhance your sleeping:

Stick to a schedule, exercise early in the day, avoid caffeine, avoid alcohol before bed, avoid

large meals before bed, avoid medicines that delay/disrupt sleep, don’t take napes after 3pm,

relax before bed, take a hot bath before bed, have a dark room/cool room/gadget free room,

have the right sunlight exposure and don’t lie awake in bed!

All great suggestions.  Walker also raises criticism (with data to back him up) on medical residents working too much in their role, and also the use of sleeping pills, which could kill you!  Helpful hints, good data, and a quick scientific read.  Good book.