How Changing Your Behaviors Changes Your Sleep By Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. You might be wondering, is it true that changing your behavior can affect your sleep? And the answer is “yes,” this result can be achieved by applying Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT includes changing thoughts and behaviors around
Can Therapy Help You Sleep Without Medication? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Yes, therapy can help many people sleep without relying solely on medication, especially when insomnia is being driven by anxiety, trauma, stress, pain, rumination, sleep fear, or learned patterns of nighttime alertness. Medication may provide short-term relief,
A decade ago, in 2010, the Drug Enforcement Agency spearheaded a nationwide initiative to take back unused prescription medications. This move aimed to heighten public awareness about the potentially lethal implications of prescription drug misuse. Despite these efforts, the prevalence of misuse and its consequences remain concerning.
Types of Sleep Disorders: The Four Main Categories Explained By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. The types of sleep disorders include insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness disorders, circadian rhythm disorders, and sleep-related movement and behavior disorders. Understanding the different types of sleep disorders can help people recognize symptoms, identify potential causes
Effects of Sleep Deprivation: How Sleep Disorders Affect Health By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. In my last post, I talked about the four main categories of sleep disorders. Let’s talk about the effects of sleep deprivation on your life. Sleep disorders can affect nearly every aspect of physical and
Four Common Treatments for Sleep Disorders By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. There are four treatments for sleep disorder that can help people improve sleep quality, daytime functioning, and overall health. These common treatments include sleep hygiene, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), medication, and holistic approaches. Many individuals benefit from using
Common Treatments for Sleep Disorders Sleep disorder treatments fall into a variety of categories, including sleep hygiene, psychotherapy, medications ranging from mild over-the-counter sleep aids to powerful sleep sedatives and hypnotics, and holistic approaches. It is not uncommon for two or more treatment approaches to be used concurrently. Sleep Hygiene
How to Help Insomnia: Focus on Solutions, Not Causes By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. How to help insomnia is one of the most common questions I hear from patients. Many people spend years searching for reasons they cannot sleep, hoping that understanding the cause will solve the problem. While
The Basics of Sleep “Sufficient sleep is not a luxury – it is a necessity – and should be thought of as a vital sign of good health.” ~ Wayne H. Giles, MD, MS, Director, Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. It’s not
By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. What Should You Tell Yourself After a Poor Night’s Sleep? If you slept poorly last night, one of the worst things you can do is start the day with unrealistic expectations. Many people try to motivate themselves by saying, “I’m going to have an incredible
Millions of Americans are prescribed benzodiazepines each year to manage sleep disorders and anxiety. However, emerging research indicates that the use of these medications, especially in the long term, is not without risks (Baldwin et al 2013). This post aims to provide you with updated information on benzodiazepines and equip
Sleep Promoting Nutrition Three of the major foundations for mental and emotional well-being are nutrition, exercise and sleep. At the core, eating healthier, sleeping well, and staying active helps you cope with and rejuvenate from daily stressful situations. In addressing sleep issues specifically, some foods interfere with good sleep hygiene
