Iowa Sleep Blog

Sleeping for Two: Pregnancy and Sleep

Monday, April 04, 2016
Pregnancy is an exciting time for new mothers and their families, as their bodies are growing, changing and preparing to carry your little bundle (or bundles) of joy. As you progress through the three trimesters, your sleep habits will begin to change, and at some point, it might feel downright hard to sleep at all. To help prepare for sleeping while being pregnant, we’ve gathered up some…

Sleep Awareness Week 2016

Monday, March 14, 2016
Last week was National Sleep Awareness Sleep Week, and the National Sleep Foundation has some tips for better sleep that we think are pretty great. We’ve included them below and added our thoughts. 1. Start making time for the sleep your mind and body needs – Sleep does so many important things for our body, so it’s important to make sure you are getting the recommended…

Don’t Lose Sleep to Daylight Saving Time

Monday, March 07, 2016
For many, the beginning of daylight saving time marks the beginning of spring, and the unfortunate loss of one hour from the day. Daylight saving time was first enacted in Europe in 1916, in hopes to cut down energy use in the spring and summer, when it stays light out for longer into the evening. Here are a few easy tips to make the “spring forward” time adjustment – happening at 2…

How Sleeping Well Can Improve Your Heart Health

Monday, February 22, 2016
While it might not seem obvious, keeping your heart healthy and sleeping the recommended amount each night go hand-in-hand. Besides the regular wellness benefits of a good night’s rest, sleep also helps strengthen your immune system, fights inflammation and keeps your heart and blood working smoothly. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women – more than…

Sleep on the Presidential Campaign Trail

Monday, February 15, 2016
As Iowans, we are no stranger to seeing presidential hopefuls eat a variety of fried foods at the State Fair, have a cup of coffee at Smokey Row or search for the best tenderloin in the city. Many joke that the way to the White House starts in Iowa. But, spending so much time on the road, sometimes up to weeks at time, can be tiring for even the most seasoned road warrior. Here are some…

Melatonin and Other Natural Sleep Aids

Monday, January 25, 2016
Getting ready for bed each night should be something you look forward to after a long day. But for many people, getting ready for bed means tossing and turning while sleep eludes them. In fact, 48 percent of Americans report occasional insomnia, while 22 percent experience insomnia every, or almost every night, and women are twice more likely to experience insomnia than men.…

1916 to 2016: How Sleep Habits Have Changed Over Time

Monday, January 18, 2016
Many things have changed as time has progressed – technology, fashion and lifestyles. But one thing that has stuck around is sleep. No matter what else changes, our bodies need sleep to keep us functioning at our highest level. While we sleep, our bodies repair themselves, preserve memories and clean out the brain for the next day. Although the need for quality sleep each…

Want to Lose Weight? Sleep More.

Monday, January 04, 2016
Who knew, right? If your New Year’s resolution is get back into shape and maybe lose a few of those extra pounds in the process, the simple act of sleeping more can help aid in your weight loss and fitness journey. Sleep does more than just energize you for the day – it also does a multitude of other things, like: Allows muscles to repair themselves – When you sleep, the…

Why You Should Turn Off Electronics Before Bed

Monday, December 28, 2015
From young children to students to adults, our days are busy, stressful and, quite frankly, tiring! The need (or requirement) to be accessible and plugged in 24/7 is taking a toll on our sleeping habits, making it harder to fall or stay asleep. Many electronics, like TVs, tablets, computers and phones emit a blue light that disrupts our body’s natural sleep cycle, keeping us awake…

At-home Snoring Remedies

Monday, December 14, 2015
In the U.S., 45 percent of adults experience some sort of snoring each night. But the person who is snoring is not always the only one affected by the snoring. This means that far more than 45 percent of U.S. adults could actually be impacted by snoring. Snoring occurs when a sleeper experiences a blocked or narrow airway passage, which causes the soft palate and uvula at…