Rethinking Sleep

Article: Rethinking Sleep by David K Randall Sunday Review New York Times Sunday September 23, 2012 Key Ideas: Rigid and outdated ideas about sleep are creating needless anxiety. For example, the idea that sleep should occur in an eight-hour block is the source of anxiety for many. The historical record and current research are cited by Randall to support the notion of "first sleep" and "second sleep" as being the norm. So-called "split sleep" could provide a middle of the night opportunity for deep thinking, self-reflection or amorous activity and not be a source of "sleep anxiety." Naps during the day prime us for higher levels of mental functioning by helping the brain sort through information to keep or to toss or find connections between recent learning and long-term memory. Employers including Google, the military, and sports times are, as a result of sleep research, beginning to incorporate naps into work to improve creativity, productivity, and performance. Facts for Thought: (1) 41 Million people in the United States get six hours or fewer for sleep a night. (2) 42% of workers in the mining industry are sleep-deprived (3) 27% of financial or insurance industry workers are sleep-deprived