Sleep is incredibly important to our well-being.  It is the time we heal from illness or injury, the opportunity to re-charge our brain and re-build muscle after a workout – it is critical to our health and well-being. Insomnia is defined as a persistent problem falling and staying asleep. Insomnia is often related to physical conditions like hyperthyroidism, peri-menopause and low back pain, or a state of stress like anxiety. If you suffer from chronic insomnia, it’s important to address the underlying reason instead of treating the symptom. If, however, you have an occasional problem with... Read More

New research suggests people who get too little sleep during the week can make up for it on the weekends. According to a study published in the Journal of Sleep Research, people who slept less than five hours each night throughout the week had an increased risk of early death compared to those who slept six to seven hours every night. People who get less than five hours during the week, but who catch up on some of that lost sleep on the weekend, do not have the same risk. These results suggest that sleep is not a risk factor for mortality if it is combined with a medium or long weekend sleep. Some... Read More

It is ironic that this week—the week when we are all sleep deprived due to the commencement of Daylight Savings Time – is National Sleep Awareness Week. This year’s theme “Begin with Sleep” highlights the importance of good sleep health for individuals to best achieve their personal, family, and professional goals. Daylight Savings Time has a number of health risks associated with it. In the days after the time change, the risk of heart attack, workplace injury and car accident is higher. Being tired can decrease productivity, concentration, and general well-being and our appetite regulation... Read More

With the legalization of cannabis across more states and the stigma surrounding the plant and its users shifting, so has the demographic of people benefiting from the plant. According to the CDC, Americans aged 55-64 who use marijuana regularly has risen by 455%. Those aged 65 and older has risen by 333% from 2002-2014. Why is this shift occurring and how can seniors benefit from cannabis? We know that each person has their own endocannabinoid system. The endocannabioid system has recently been recognized as the most important modulatory system within the body. It is responsible for regulating... Read More

If you ever wake up in the morning with a tight or sore jaw, fatigue, or sensitive teeth, you could be grinding or clenching your teeth at night.  The condition, known as bruxism, can lead to headaches and dental problems. Teeth grinding can be caused by stress and anxiety,  and it often occurs during sleep, caused by an abnormal bite or missing or crooked teeth. More importantly, bruxism can be caused by sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax during the night, blocking the airway and interrupting breathing. About 25% of people with obstructive sleep apnea grind... Read More

Actress Carrie Fisher’s cause of death was released this week and it was revealed that sleep apnea was a contributing factor to her death.  Sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, have become a significant health issue in the United States. It is estimated that 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, with 80% of the cases of moderate and severe  sleep apnea undiagnosed. Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep. Each pause can last from a few seconds to several minutes and can happen many times a night.  Chronic sleep... Read More

We all know that it’s important to eat well, be physically active and get a good night’s sleep.  In recent years, magazines such as Entrepreneur, Time and Inc. have featured articles about the connection between engaging in the trifecta of health behaviors and professional success. Why? Your success starts with your health – eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. After all, if don’t feel great, how do you expect to sustain the focus and energy needed to get things done? Here’s a closer look at why food, sleep, and exercise can impact your success and what... Read More

Do you get enough sleep?  Most Americans don’t because we have trouble “turning off” our brains.  Sleep is critical for not only recharging your mental and physical batteries, but also healing and even controlling our appetites. How much sleep do adults need? The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-9 hours for adults. Because each individual has different sleep needs, here is an easy way to determine yours. Note the time you go to bed on a night when you don’t need to set an alarm to wake up.  Ideally, you haven’t had a heavy meal or too much to drink, as that will influence your... Read More

Caring for both your physical and mental health go hand in hand. With proper care and maintenance of your body’s systems, from top to bottom and inside to out, I guarantee you will go through your days feeling energized, happy, and pristine. Here are my top 10 recommendations to feel great and healthy everyday of the week: 1) Sleep How can you feel well if your body is running on inadequate amounts of sleep? Sleep is so important to your body! It is a time where certain parts of your body shut down but others become highly active. The parts of your body that become active, mainly the brain,... Read More

If you think breakfast is the most important meal of the day to eat, you may want to reconsider your dietary schedule.  Recent studies have shown that intermittent fasting is one of the best ways to teach your body how to burn fat for energy, instead of sugar.  Skipping breakfast, as part of an intermittent fasting schedule, has shown to have many health benefits including the improvement of insulin sensitivity (preventing diabetes), weight loss, increasing energy levels, stimulating the immune system and boosting your levels of Human Growth Hormone.  HGHs are also known as the “fitness hormone”. ... Read More