3 ARTICLES ON SLEEP HEALTH AND FUNCTION

ARTICLE #1

TITLE

The 9 New Sleep Rules

DESCRIPTION

Everyone knows that insufficient sleep can lead to serious issues like being inefficient at work, impact school problems, make driving and operating machinery dangerous, as well as “result in weight gain, depression and even decreased brain volume.”   However, so many ignore their tiredness that the problems worsen over time.  There are a number of sleep hygiene rules that have been published to help improve sleep such as:  no naps, set a regular waking time, use the bed only for sleep, no caffeine, and so on.   There are now some new rules added to the mix to help those who become sleep deprived.   The list can be used as a trigger piece for discussion when the topic of sleep is covered in class.  The article also contains short entertaining videos.

SOURCE

Time, April 30, 2017, by Susan Begley

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://time.com/4757609/how-to-fall-asleep/

ARTICLE #2

TITLE

The Science of Adolescent Sleep

DESCRIPTION

In recent years, scientists have pointed out how adolescent biology affects sleep cycles which impacts subsequent behaviors such as school, relationships, driving, depression, weight gain).  The studies point to the fact that much of the problem lies in the physiology not simply a result of the lifestyle practices of adolescents.  “Some people don’t get it, that this is biology… Adolescent sleep delay is not just in human teenagers; it’s seen in other juvenile mammals.”  This article focuses on actual studies, conferences, and provides a Ted Talk link.   The article can be used for both the topics of sleep and also adolescent development.

SOURCE

New York Times, MAY 22, 2017, by Perri Klass

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/22/well/family/the-science-of-adolescent-sleep.html

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/y6vf9gao

ARTICLE #3

TITLE

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP TO HELP YOU REMEMBER

DESCRIPTION

One of the important functions of sleep involves memory encoding and memory consolidation.   Many studies have demonstrated the importance of good quality sleep and it’s relationship to memory.   The article discusses a number of studies that confirm the relationship.   “Sleep not only appeared to help people preserve information they already remembered, but also helped them to access memories which they could not recall when awake.”  This article can be used in conjunction with both the topics of sleep and cognition (memory).

SOURCE

Newsweek, July 28, 2015, by Conor Gaffey

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.newsweek.com/have-good-nights-sleep-help-you-remember-357667

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/yamwrf6v

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•Begin with a simple question:  Why are Psychologist’s interested in the function of sleep?

•What is known about the relationship between adolescent development and sleep?    Are there pragmatic solutions to handle the problems that arise in our culture?

•What is the relationship between sleep quality and memory?  What is hypothesized to happen during the phases of the sleep cycle and information processing?

•What is sleep hygiene?  What are the new rules set forth to have good quality sleep?   Are college students likely to follow or ignore the rules?   What are the consequences of poor sleep?