Living Well

Staring at the computer screen will hurt your sleep

I've noticed that if I work on the computer right up until I go to bed, I have trouble sleeping. I'm not the only one. This blogger's doctor told him to not stare at a computer screen at night for that very reason.

Why my doctors told me that if you are going to spend inordinate amount of time in front of a computer screen at night, you might have tough time going to sleep. The screen-flicker makes your eyes and your mind think it is day time, hence you have trouble sleeping.

I also find that the things I do on the computer are not relaxing. It's not like reading a story in a book.

Not sleeping makes you fat

We know that getting enough sleep is crucial to weightloss.  Even kids that don't sleep gain more weight than kids that sleep.  Recent studies have shown that lack of sleep is tied to insulin resistance and diabetes - after just two nights without enough sleep! 

New drug may replace sleep

A new drug looks promising for replacing sleep:

A nasal spray containing a naturally occurring brain hormone called orexin A reversed the effects of sleep deprivation in monkeys, allowing them to perform like well-rested monkeys on cognitive tests.

However, it's years away from being tested and approved for humans.  In the mean time, be sure to get plenty of sleep.  You'll feel better, keep the weight off easier and perform better.