Can Sugar Keep You Awake? The Connection Between Sugar and Sleep

Middle-aged woman in pajamas standing in a kitchen at night, holding a sugary snack and wondering if sugar can affect sleep and cause insomnia

Can Sugar Keep You Awake? The Connection Between Sugar and Sleep By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Can sugar keep you awake? Many people are surprised to learn that the answer is yes. While stress and anxiety are common causes of insomnia, sugar can also affect sleep quality, energy levels, and nighttime awakenings. As a […]

Sleep Deprivation: Why One Bad Night Isn’t a Crisis

A man suffering from sleep deprivation

Sleep Deprivation: Why One Bad Night Isn’t a Crisis By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Sleep deprivation can affect mood, concentration, energy, and overall health. However, many people with insomnia overestimate how little sleep they actually get and underestimate their ability to function after a poor night’s sleep. While chronic sleep deprivation deserves attention, one […]

Why Trauma Survivors Often Struggle With Sleep and Insomnia

Trauma survivor speaking with a therapist in a calm office, representing trauma-related insomnia, hypervigilance, and sleep recovery

Why Trauma Survivors Often Struggle With Sleep and Insomnia By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Trauma survivors often struggle with sleep because the nervous system may stay alert long after the danger has passed. Bedtime can feel unsafe when the brain connects stillness, darkness, or loss of control with threat. This is not weakness. It […]

Why Does Alcohol Make Me Sleepy? The Truth About Alcohol and Sleep

Open beer bottle and glass of beer showing how alcohol affects sleep quality and causes fatigue

Why Does Alcohol Make Me Sleepy? The Truth About Alcohol and Sleep By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Some of you might be wondering, “Why does alcohol make me sleepy?” Alcohol makes you sleepy because it acts as a sedative and slows activity in the brain and nervous system. While this may help you fall […]