The benefits of good sleep
Date Posted: October 1, 2007
In-Depth Report
The benefits of good sleep
By now, you should have a solid understanding of the various sleep problems and their consequences. It's worth taking a moment to look at the flip slide: the benefits of routinely getting a good night's rest. Here, the encouraging news is that if you successfully conquer whatever is preventing you from sleeping soundly — either on your own or with a sleep specialist's assistance — you have a lot to look forward to.
Research documents the improvements that can come with treatment:
People with chronic insomnia who participated in six 50-minute sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) improved their sleep efficiency (the percentage of time spent asleep while in bed) more than people who took a prescription sleeping pill, according to a 2006 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association . The researchers also showed that people who underwent CBT increased their total time in slow-wave (deep) sleep.
People with sleep apnea who used CPAP for one year reported quality-of-life improvements (such as better energy, mental health, and social satisfaction) that brought them to the same level as the general population, according to a 2004 study in Chest .
People with narcolepsy treated with modafinil for six weeks reported significant improvements in energy and a significant reduction in daytime fatigue, according to a 2004 study in Psychopharmacology .
Patients treated by sleep specialists gain a number of benefits. Often, people with sleep disorders function without sufficient sleep for so long that they come to accept their constant fatigue as normal and assume they will always feel tired. After a few weeks of healthy sleep, some patients report feeling like a "whole new person," with newfound energy and an improved outlook on life. In some cases, such people are able to accomplish things they've always put off attempting, such as completing college or getting an advanced degree, switching careers, or finding a life partner.
So if you're struggling to get a good night's rest, there is much cause for optimism. While there's no guarantee you'll always get eight hours of uninterrupted sleep, with proper treatment you can reasonably expect improvements in both your nighttime sleep and your overall quality of life.
Sleep reviewFor such a natural and necessary thing, sleep is the source of much anxiety. Here is a review of the basic steps to follow if you're having trouble maintaining normal, healthy sleep patterns: Practice good sleep hygiene, such as making sure your bedroom is sleep-friendly, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, and going to bed and waking up at the same time every day (see "Tips for a better night's sleep"). Make sure you're getting proper treatment for any underlying illnesses such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes that may interfere with sleep (see "Medical conditions and sleep problems"). Keep a sleep diary to look for patterns you may not be aware of and to track progress. Make sure your primary care physician is aware of any over-the-counter or alternative medicines you take to help you sleep, and follow your doctor's recommendations about taking prescription sleep aids (see "Medications and other insomnia treatments"). If sleep problems persist despite your own efforts, consider seeing a sleep specialist for a thorough sleep evaluation (see "Evaluation of sleep disturbances"). |
Review Date: 2007-10-01
Harvard Medical School does not endorse products or services.
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