Management of Insomnia

Think you know all the reasons? Prepare to be surprised. By family practitioner and marathoner Dr Gita Mathai. Plus, how much to exercise to get its real benefits. We all want to look good, be slim and healthy. There’s one magic pill for this and it’s called exercise. Even if you’re ‘too tired’ or ‘too busy’, you need to get off that couch now.  Benefits of regular exercise Exercise helps to achieve ideal body weight if also combined with calorie restriction.…

You are focused on looking after a patient with a chronic condition. But you, the caregiver, may also be at risk. Rama Murali of Care3 (Care Cubed), a support network and resource bank for caregivers, gives you some tips on how to avoid caregiver burnout. “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” – Buddha Why focus on Caregiver health? Although caregiving can be truly rewarding for many, the 24×7 nature of caring for a…

You've heard that using screens before bedtime can mess with your sleep, but new research suggests the problem is even more serious and can make you feel like a zombie the next day. The findings could impact anyone who uses an eReader, laptop, smartphone, or certain TVs before bed. "We know from previous work that light from screens in the evening alters sleepiness and alertness, and suppresses melatonin levels," Dr. Anne-Marie Chang, an associate neuroscientist in BWH’s Division of Sleep and…

Treatment The doctor may recommend some of the following: Lifestyle changes can help relieve acute (short-term) insomnia. These changes might make it easier to fall asleep and stay sleep. 1. Adopting new habits to help you sleep, for instance: Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and cool. Noise, light, and heat can interfere with sleep.  Stick to a regular sleep schedule. Support your biological clock by going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, including…