Spotlight on: Sleep
Sleep is essential for our well-being, but many of us struggle to get enough of it. Research reveals that lack of sleep not only makes us cranky and less attractive to others, but also impairs our performance and increases our risk of accidents and diseases. However, there is no need to panic if you occasionally toss and turn at night - your body is resilient and can bounce back from a bad night’s sleep.
Photo: Lindsayy/flickr.comLack of sleep: When the sandman won’t appear
On the one hand, sleep is vitally important. On the other hand, we don’t need to sleep as much as we think. Here we question researchers about sleep, the activity that single-handedly eats up the greater part of our lives.
Photo: Emma HanquistCurious about circadian rhythm
Our body clock controls us more than we realise. If the discovery that was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2017 has a wider breakthrough, it can change everything from when the school day will start to what medicines we take and when.
Photo: istockAre you dead tired?
Tiredness can be completely normal or a symptom that turns life into an ordeal. Researchers at KI want to find out more about what happens when our energy runs out.
Photo: Claudio Scott/Pixabay CC0A good night's sleep the key to being attractive
If you want to look attractive and healthy, the best thing you can do is get a good night's sleep, finds researchers at Karolinska Institutet in a novel study published in BMJ online. For the first time, say the authors, there is scientific backing for the concept of beauty sleep.
A sleep-deprived brain interprets impressions negatively
A sleepless night not only leaves us fatigued and distracted, it also makes us interpret things more negatively and makes us more likely to lose our temper.
Photo: istockLack of sleep can be linked to depression and suicidal thoughts among young people
Too little sleep during school days and poor sleep quality can be linked to an increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts among middle school students, shows a study conducted at the National Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention (NASP).
Sleepiness can have a negative impact on your social life
Being socially active generally increases your chances of getting a good night’s sleep. But if you are active late into the evening, it reduces the number of hours you sleep – and can also affect your social life.
Photo: GettyimagesHere's why you should take a nap
Napping in the afternoon can improve memory and alertness, according to KI researcher John Axelsson and his colleague, Tina Sundelin, at Stockholm University. Read their news article on this topic, published by The Conversation.
Photo: Pixabay