So it was with some enthusiasm that I agreed to review Arianna Huffington's latest book on sleep, (for which I received a free copy).
As I said, I've always had sleep problems. As a child I remember still being asleep when my parents had gone to bed. The loneliest feeling in the world to me, for some reason. Silly really as they were in the bedroom right next to mine and I could even hear my dad snoring. As an adult I find that I'm such a light sleeper, someone walking past my house and talking too loudly can wake me up. If the Ball & Chain gets up to go to the loo it wakes me up. The obvious answer I know, would be to wear ear-plugs, but like many mothers, I bear the "safety" burden in this house as that same Ball & Chain can sleep through anything, and two of my three kids have literally slept through an earthquake. Useless, all of them. There has to be someone in the house who can save the rest of the family from whatever danger is lurking.
Ironically, I've also always been a big sleep proponent. According to my kids when they were growing up (and the 12 year old now) their bed times were at least three hours before everyone else's in the entire grade at school. (A quick survey of a few mothers told me otherwise, btw). Minor ailments or a bit of childish sadness was always best cured by a warm bath and an early bedtime in my house. And Arianna agrees with me. I've always liked and respected her. If you think you don't know her, you probably do. She is the founder of the Huffington Post, and although well known in the USA, actually started off her illustrious career after graduating university in England, where she was known as Arianna Stasinopoulos.
It was after collapsing from exhaustion (and breaking her cheekbone) that Arianna finally realized the need to slow down and make lifestyle changes. She began researching sleep and discovered that, according to a recent Gallop poll, 40% of all American adults are perpetually sleep-deprived and get less than the recommended seven hours per night. Seven hours? I need eight at least, to feel good in the morning. What about you?
"The Sleep Revolution'; Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time"..." is a sweeping, scientifically rigorous, and deeply personal look at sleep.... Every week, new research reveals how vital sleep is to our health, happiness, job performance and relationships." The book is full of facts about how little we sleep and the harm it can do; from dangerous driving (where we might as well be drunk) to politicians boasting about surviving on four hours per night (she's looking at you Trump) - lack of sleep has its consequences.
The book is full of information about how adequate sleep can benefit everything from cognitive ability, to athletic performance to libido. Yes! Get this ladies -
"In a 2015 study, researchers measured the duration of women's sleep and compared it to their level of sexual desire the next day. They found that every additional hour of sleep brought with it a 14 % rise in the likelihood of having some kind of sexual activity with her partner."
You're welcome.