In a recent study, “Dream-Enacting Behaviors in a Normal Population,” researchers at the Université de Montreal in Canada found that more than 50% of study participants awakened from a dream to discover they were talking or crying. They also found themselves waking up while acting out an angry or defensive behavior like punching or kicking, or other actions like waving or pointing.

Women in the study experienced more speaking, crying, fear and smiling/laughing than men. However, men reported more sexual arousal in their sleep. Of all participants, 78% reported awakening from an erotic dream to find that they were sexually aroused. Plus, 72% reported awakening from a happy dream to find themselves smiling or laughing. The study results were published in the December 1 issue of the journal Sleep.

In the same issue of Sleep, researchers in Paris, France reported that people experiencing sleepwalking or sleep terrors (night terrors) may be acting out dreamlike thoughts. Research findings reveal that 71% of the study participants claimed at least one incident of “dreamlike mental content” linked with an episode of sleepwalking or sleep terrors. In addition, the action in the dreamlike thoughts corresponded with the observed behavior. The published article is “Dreamlike Mentations During Sleepwalking and Sleep Terrors in Adults.”

“The results are surprising, as it is commonly reported that sleepwalkers and patients with sleep terrors do not remember dreaming,” said principal investigator Isabelle Arnulf, MD, PhD, neurologist.

As someone who experiences sleep terrors from time to time, I can say the study makes sense to me. I sometimes remember dreams associated with sleep terrors, but not always. I have also found myself acting out those dreams by either sitting up in bed or standing up while trying to escape the unpleasant dream, which is usually that someone is standing over the bed. And, of course, there’s the loud screaming I often don’t remember.

Do you act out dreams or experience any sleep disorders like terrors or sleepwalking?

(Image via stock.xchng)

Post from: Blisstree

What’s in a Dream? Sleep Study Results.

I have always been a believer in wearing kids out for the benefit of a swift and peaceful bedtime. Now a University of Ackland, New Zealand, study shows that there is some truth to that belief. The study’s lead author, Dr. Ed A. Mitchell, looked at 591 seven-year-olds and found that kids who spent more time in sedentary activities took longer to fall asleep after they went to bed. The study also showed that one in six parents of school-aged kids say their children have trouble falling to sleep at night.

Most children take about 26 minutes to fall asleep once they hit the bed at night. If the child has been active during the day, the less time it takes for him to nod off. As much as one hour of vigorous activity can shave as much as 6 minutes off a kid’s fall-asleep time. The study also showed that children who fall asleep faster tend to stay asleep longer.

Ingenious? Maybe. But I’ve found if my son goes to bed too exhausted he tends to wake up more during the night and sometimes has frightening night terrors.

Source, ABC News
Photo, JWJourney

Post from: Blisstree

Study: Vigorous Activity Helps Kids Sleep

“Yes, they are honey. Now go back to sleep.”
“Are they in this land?”
“No. We don’t have any pyramids here in this country.”
“In Brazil?”
“No, not in Brazil. In Egypt. Now got to sleep darling.”
“The Egypt in Africa?”
“Yes, that’s the one.”
“Are people in Egypt called Egyptians?”
“Yes, they are. Now go to sleep, honey.”
“Have you been to Egypt, Mommy?”
“No, honey. But your grandparents have. They went on a cruise down the Nile.”
“What’s the Arrow?”
“Nile. It’s a river in Egypt. Now go to sleep. It’s late. Or early, really.”
“What time is it?”
“Two. Now go to sleep.”
“Is the Nile deep?”

… You get the idea. Nearly two hours, a bathroom trip and a glass of water later, my son finally drifted back to sleep.

I knew when we decided to have a child that there would sleepless nights – especially in those newborn years or the teenage years when your child is old enough to drive. I just assumed there’d be a grace period in between where parents could catch up on all the sleep they missed out on when their newborn was wailing every two hours. Or that time when he was a year old and he got into that jag where he woke up every night from 2 a.m. – 4 a.m. without fail wanting nothing but my undivided attention. (After two weeks of that I broke into a slobbering, tearful mess and begged my doctor for help, which came in the form of OTC Benadryl, but that’s another story.)

Apparently, I’m not alone. Sleep deprivation among parents is common, according to a study by a researcher with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a health survey of more than 79,000 adults in 18 states and Washington, D.C., consisting of married parents with children living at home, unmarried parents living with children, and married or unmarried adults without kids, parents were more likely to report insufficient sleep than adults without children. Among the sleepless, moms topped the list.

The solution? Researcher Daniel P. Chapman suggests sleep education among families with children, “particularly mothers.” Um …. Ok.

Source: WebMD
Photo, Flickr, peasap

Post from: Blisstree

News Flash: Parents are Sleep Deprived