Sleep Dunwoody Blog

2020 was not an easy year for anyone. For many, finding coping mechanisms to deal with the stress of a global pandemic became essential; and from the increase in sales that companies such as Peloton (at-home biking) and Hydrow (at-home rowing) experienced, it’s safe to say that focusing on fitness became one of those key mechanisms – more specifically, at-home fitness.

People have begun to embrace the benefits of walking only a few feet to the gym. With this simplification of the everyday workout routine, Fortune reported what many have suspected: The at-home fitness phenomenon is here to stay.

With fitness now much more accessible (no more costly gym memberships or awkward group settings), it’s no wonder that the stereotypical new year’s resolution of starting a #fitjourney began earlier than January 1, 2021; and while this is a positive outcome of 2020, this newfound appreciation for exercise does come with a few caveats.

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Ahhh, being a parent: possibly the source of the greatest joy and greatest stress out there! While it may be stating the obvious, new parents’ sleep health tends to suffer once they welcome their greatest gift(s) into the world (although there are ways to improve it) —  but there is another time in every parents’ life that results in a severe decline in their sleep: the holiday season.

Psychological trauma is complex, and there is a lot that researchers and health professionals are still learning. Trauma may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event or events such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, abuse, or injury. These scary, unsettling memories, and the emotions tied to them, can be long-lasting, and even develop into a disorder called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

We all know the feeling. You’ve just indulged in a world-class Thanksgiving meal and now feel the heaviness of your eyes and your brain going foggy. You fall asleep, only to wake up hours later questioning what day it is. While many people have simply accepted this as a Thanksgiving ritual, there is actually a much more scientific reason for this phenomenon: your food. Sounds simple, right? But what you may not know is that certain foods that induce a midday nap might come back to haunt you when you crawl into bed later that evening.

Sleep is intrinsically connected to the health of your mind and body. Poor sleep can be the result, or cause, of many physical and mental ailments. That’s why diet, physical exercise, and mental wellbeing are all important points of discussion when trying to improve sleep quality. Fortunately, there is a centuries-old practice that you can begin today, in your own home, to improve your sleep quality as well as mental and physical health: meditation.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, each state, school, and place of work is changing regulations at what seems like a daily rate. Your schedule might be in a constant state of flux as you adapt to get work done, help your kids with virtual school, and more. This constant shifting has caused, overall, a surge in negative mental health outcomes. Consistent schedule changes certainly aren’t helping, as a loss of routine is known to produce anxiety.

Have you been feeling irritable, frustrated, angry, or stressed lately? These emotions are not surprising at all, as many have faced a long and difficult year. What’s the cure? 

Your bedroom should be the sanctuary of your home, a place where you can retreat after long and stressful days to unwind and recharge. And it’s especially important during these times to have a dedicated place for rest and relaxation. But is your bedroom set up to actually allow for that? Or does your bedroom feel just like any other room in the house? 

The link between sleep and Alzheimer’s disease is a subject we’ve written about in the past, and it’s important to stay up-to-date as new research becomes available, because the disease has likely touched you or someone you love in some way. Generally a scary topic, Alzheimer’s is something that most of us would prefer not to think about, and if you know someone who has experienced it, you have seen firsthand that it is a frightening and debilitating disease that affects not only the one suffering but caretakers, family members and friends.

As many pets owners can attest to, our pets have a way of burrowing their way into our hearts and becoming a treasured part of our daily lives. A 2015 Harris poll revealed that 95% of pet owners consider their pet to be a full-fledged member of the family (which is more than what some people can say about their relatives!).

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