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Tidbit for December 13, 2000:
All the Snooze That's Fit to Print
The Old Farmer's Almanac 2001 tackles the topic of snoozing with a vengeance in its six-page article titled, "Putting Sleep Myths to Bed." Not only does the Almanac debunk Ben Franklin--as it turns out "early to bed and early to rise" isn't necessarily as important as regularity of sleeping hours--it delves into modern sleep myths and even provides some suggested cures for insomnia.
Here's a quick look at some of the fun sleep facts I discovered in the Almanac article by Victoria Doudera before I dozed off!
New Englanders of old
were fond of the notion that sleeping with their heads to the north would help
them to live longer. Modern sleep experts, though, simply suggest that we sleep
in the position that's most comfortable.
Counting sheep--like
concentration of any kind--may actually keep you awake!
Dreams, if you remember
their wispy images, may seem to have lasted but seconds, but in reality, the
average dream lasts 10 to 30 minutes, and the longest dream of the night is the
final one. No wonder we hate it when the alarm goes off!
Suffering from
insomnia? The Almanac prescribes two very "New Englandy" cures.
"Smells of spiced apple and salty sea air are said to lower stress."
Other remedies suggested include steering clear of both caffeine and alcohol,
avoiding exercise before bed, investing in linen sheets, and and sipping
Chamomile tea.
Lack of sleep is a
serious problem that can lead to premature aging, prevent speedy recovery from
illness, and even cause serious accidents. The Almanac cites U.S. Department of
Transportation statistics that estimate 1,500 people are killed each year in
drowsiness-related car crashes.
Do you have regular
afternoon nap cravings? Our body temperatures dip about 12 hours after the
midpoint of our night's sleep causing an energy slump, even if we have slept
well, according to the Almanac.
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