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Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams | Matthew P Walker
A New York Times bestseller The first sleep book by a leading scientific expert--Professor Matthew Walker, Director of UC Berkeley's Sleep and Neuroimaging Lab--reveals his groundbreaking exploration of sleep, explaining how we can harness its transformative power to change our lives for the better. Sleep is one of the most important but least understood aspects of our life, wellness, and longevity. Until very recently, science had no answer to the question of why we sleep, or what good it served, or why we suffer such devastating health consequences when we don't sleep. Compared to the other basic drives in life--eating, drinking, and reproducing--the purpose of sleep remained elusive. An explosion of scientific discoveries in the last twenty years has shed new light on this fundamental aspect of our lives. Now, preeminent neuroscientist and sleep expert Matthew Walker gives us a new understanding of the vital importance of sleep and dreaming. Within the brain, sleep enriches our ability to learn, memorize, and make logical decisions. It recalibrates our emotions, restocks our immune system, fine-tunes our metabolism, and regulates our appetite. Dreaming mollifies painful memories and creates a virtual reality space in which the brain melds past and present knowledge to inspire creativity. Walker answers important questions about sleep: how do caffeine and alcohol affect sleep? What really happens during REM sleep? Why do our sleep patterns change across a lifetime? How do common sleep aids affect us and can they do long-term damage? Charting cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs, and synthesizing decades of research and clinical practice, Walker explains how we can harness sleep to improve learning, mood, and energy levels; regulate hormones; prevent cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes; slow the effects of aging; increase longevity; enhance the education and lifespan of our children, and boost the efficiency, success, and productivity of our businesses. Clear-eyed, fascinating, and accessible, Why We Sleep is a crucial and illuminating book.
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SarahBookInterrupted
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Meredith is recommending a book to help you with your overall health through sleep on Book Interrupted‘s Manuscript Monday.

https://www.bookinterrupted.com/post/manuscript-monday-why-we-sleep

#bookinterrupted #whywesleep #sleep #ManuscriptMonday #bookrecommendations #bookreview
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookclubofinstagram

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Shievad
Mehso-so

For me personally, there wasn‘t a lot of new information…but I have a background in neuroscience and human memory (and sleep plays a major role in that). Positive: I did learn a few new interesting things about sleep wave patterns of certain conditions like autism, adhd, schizophrenia, etc. Negative: his suggestions for work places or insurance companies encouraging more sleep are very upper middle class white cis male centric.

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Michellesibs
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Pickpick

I learnt a lot here. My biggest take aways will be understanding my own body clock more, understanding how society treats night owls and early birds very differently and why our sleep schedules are different.

However as always with these kind of books there's a undertone of scaremongering.

I read this in conjunction with the podcast Maintenance Phase who did an episode on this book which helped me keep a balanced view on some of the claims made.

37 likes1 stack add
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ShaaM
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Pickpick

The only book you need on science of sleep . Must read for all.

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YusungChoi
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Into Chapter 5 at the moment. Who knew sleep could be so exciting? The author makes it very easy and fun to follow a topic that can be potentially boring or complicated. Not to mention the subtle humor placed here and there.

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Erin.Elizabeth10
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Pickpick

This was a very deep dive into sleep! The author covers all the ways that sleep impacts our emotional, physical, and mental health, how sleep is important to business, education, finance, medicine, and more! I do think it made me value sleep more, and I will think about it different now and prioritize sleep! If you are interested in health and wellness, or interesting societal topics, this is a good book.

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Becker
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Pickpick

This book was packed with information, with each chapter focusing on a different topic as it relates to the power of sleeping. The book can be read from cover to cover ( which I recommend) or spot read according to the subjects in the individual chapters. Either way, I guarantee you will re-evaluate your sleep habits. 😴

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Bookworm54
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Pickpick

This was a really interesting look into the scientific evidence behind why sleeping, and all of its different stages, are so important. It discusses the benefits of sleep, what each type of sleep achieves, the dangers of reduced/no sleep. It also discusses what can be disrupting a “good” sleep without us knowing.

I like science anyway, but I think it was written so that anyone can follow and see the relevance!

This was my Feb #DoubleSpin

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
37 likes1 stack add1 comment
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perfectsinner
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🎧 audiobook came in

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IuliaC
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Pickpick

This book is the sleep bible, the science explaining the "what", the "how" and the "why" of sleep.
I've always loved a good night's sleep and knew quality sleep was crucial to health, well-being, work productivity and creativity, and now I am also aware why, as the saying goes: "Sleep is the best medicine."

jlhammar Yes! Such an interesting book. Learned a ton. 2y
IuliaC @jlhammar me too! 👍 2y
jewright And I suck at sleeping! I always have. 2y
55 likes1 stack add3 comments
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wifey.n
Pickpick

Amazing book! I like the author banter. Was interesting to read. One of the only informative books I didnt find boring.

Thank you for this masterpiece!!!!

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bekakins
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Pickpick

This was fascinating! And now I can tell everyone that I‘m improving my health by always making sure I get 8 hrs sleep ❤️ #doublespin complete for October!

Plus weekly update for #Scarathlon2021 #TeamHendrix

Red Pyramid : 56 pts (supernatural, 4 hrs reading)
Why We Sleep : 66 pts (6 hrs reading)
x 4 spooky stories from Skeleton Crew : 50 pts (2 hrs reading)
x 3 ep Morbid podcast : 15 pts

Total : 187 pts

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
StayCurious Great job! 2y
8 likes2 comments
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Annazozo
Pickpick

❤️

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MilicaS
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🙉😍👍🏻🤯🥰👆🏻😴🤤👌🏻

8 likes1 stack add
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Jeannineth
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I only read about 10 nonfiction books a year , so I‘m selective about what I pick up. As a person who has stayed up too late reading a good book, I‘m starting to appreciate the value of a good 8 hours of sleep. I plan to read a couple of chapters of Why We Sleep before bed in February. 😴 🛌 💤

GingerAntics This is such a great book. It‘s a little scary in places, though. Everyone being chronically sleep deprived is really taking it‘s toll. 3y
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rjsthumbelina
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Pickpick

I learned so much listening to this. I found the science absolutely fascinating, even if it did leave me seriously worried about my own sleep habits at times. #audiobook via #scribd

GingerAntics Loved the book!!! I was already worried about my sleep habits, but I was even more worried after reading this. Did you look up the spider webs? Those are a hoot!!! I‘ve seriously cut back on caffeine since I read this. 3y
rjsthumbelina I had actually seen the spider webs before, but it is insane! Really makes you wonder about what we put in our bodies willingly. I thought the stuff about memory was so interesting 3y
rjsthumbelina @GingerAntics I'm not awake yet apparently, so I forgot to tag you in the above comment! Lol 3y
GingerAntics @rjsthumbelina that part was really interesting. I had no idea how much sleep played a roll on dementia patients. It makes sense, though. 3y
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Oryx
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This was a fascinating read - really recommend especially for #99ponkindle

squirrelbrain Ok, you convinced me! (Took a lot of persuading didn‘t I?!) 3y
MicheleinPhilly I need “How to Sleep and Avoid Having Bad Dreams.” 🥱🥱🥱 3y
Oryx @squirrelbrain it's just too easy 3y
Oryx @MicheleinPhilly oh no, that doesn't sound good. Hope you've managed to get some dream free sleeps. Maybe we can petition him for a follow up book . 3y
40 likes4 comments
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julesG
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On the fourth day of Christmas,...

Probably the best book about the importance of sleep you can read.

Thank you for the recommendation, @Oryx.

#12Booksof2020 @Andrew65

Andrew65 Sounds a must! 3y
Deblovestoread With chronic insomnia I am always looking for information to help turn it around. Stacked! 3y
Kalalalatja One of my faves from last year 👍 3y
Gissy That one is on my tbr for this year. There is a YouTuber who always is recommending nonfiction books and that book was one of her favorites. 3y
Oryx Just saw this tag now - such a brilliant book. I already liked sleep before I read it, and like it even more after. 3y
74 likes1 stack add5 comments
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GingerAntics
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Pickpick

It seems fitting that in reviewing this book after finishing it because I couldn‘t sleep. This book is witty and interesting. The narrator is great. The information is shocking in places. Everyone needs to read this book. It‘s shocking all the problems that wouldn‘t exist if we all got (at least) a little bit more sleep. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

GingerAntics I am also now pretty sure I‘m going to end up dying of everything due to my lifelong insomnia. I was most intrigued by the idea that I very well may not have ADHD at all, just insomnia. Mind. Blown. #MatthewWalker #WhyWeSleep 3y
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GingerAntics
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NASA has a “nap culture” that is widely known (and joked) about. It‘s what makes those rocket scientists and everyone over at NASA so bloody cleaver. (It only went bad that one time when the crazy astronaut wore a launch diaper to drive from Houston to Florida to kill someone.)
#MatthewWalker #WhyWeSleep

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GingerAntics
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Interesting take on dieting. If you don‘t get enough sleep while dieting, you lose muscle mass instead of fat, but if you‘re hungry while you sleep, you don‘t sleep as well... leading to losing muscle mass as opposed to fat. Interesting how that turns out. Maybe this is the key to why diets/eat less and burn more just doesn‘t work, statistically, especially for women.
#MatthewWalker #WhyWeSleep #sleep #dieting #intermittentfasting

Scochrane26 Sleep is definitely important for maintaining everything—mood, diet, health, etc. 3y
GingerAntics @Scochrane26 it‘s even more important than we tend to think. That‘a part of what this book is about. Right now we‘re going through the fascinating elements of sleep, why we sleep and what happens when we do. 3y
Amandajoy Which is why as a registered dietitian, I always ask my patients about their sleep habits as well as their eating and exercise habits. 3y
See All 10 Comments
GingerAntics @Amandajoy and why we know intentionally losing weight doesn‘t work long term. 3y
Amandajoy Exactly! 3y
GingerAntics @Amandajoy I didn‘t know you were a registered dietitian. I don‘t get how you guys know WAY more about the realities of being healthy and trying to lose weight doesn‘t work, but doctors have no clue and tell people to just eat less and everyone listens to them because they‘re doctors. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Give me a dietitian any day. You guys actually listen to people you work with instead of just throwing “cures” at people. 🤦🏼‍♀️ 3y
Amandajoy Thanks! I hate it when doctors tell patients they need to lose weight. I think it‘s counterproductive. I‘m slowly trying to change the minds of the docs I work with. I‘m glad you‘ve had good experiences with RDs! Most of us just love food and want everyone to have a good relationship with it. 3y
GingerAntics @Amandajoy luckily I stopped listening to my doctor when I realised I had an earring disorder. The only people who seemed to believe I had a problem was RDs. I fit almost every single symptom, but because I wasn‘t so skinny I was obviously on death‘s door, I was fine. 🙄 So stupid. Life is much nicer when you have a healthy relationship to food. Supposedly you can be addicted to food, but it‘s not like you can just quit eating. 3y
julesG @Amandajoy Doctors! Schmocktors! Honestly, I've learned so much more about health and how to stay healthy from people without an MD. My physiotherapist is a goddess, for example. 3y
GingerAntics @julesG I second this motion. 3y
13 likes10 comments
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GingerAntics
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💙💙💙
I do love sleep.
#MatthewWalker #WhyWeSleep #sleep

Gezemice I put this on hold when I saw you reading it and my hold came in and now I am listening to it, too. Fascinating! My library has the PDF, but I can‘t download it on my iPad or phone and I did not want to fire up my work laptop. But you can get the pdf from Audible without having to buy the book! 3y
GingerAntics @Gezemice oh, that‘s helpful. I never thought to look online for the PDF. I‘m quite enjoying the book anyway. I‘ve got ideas for quotes I‘d like to share, but I think that will be easier with the book. 3y
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GingerAntics
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Graywacke Need my 8 hours tonight! 😐 3y
GingerAntics @Graywacke you and me both, but it didn‘t happen for me. 🤞🏻 Fingers crossed it happened for you. 3y
Graywacke @GingerAntics i‘m an optimist today. 🙂 🤞 3y
See All 10 Comments
GingerAntics @Graywacke I‘ve completely revamped my sleep schedule. Hopefully I do better come Monday. 3y
Gezemice Oh, I wantto read this! So true! 3y
GingerAntics @Gezemice it‘s a great book so far. I highly recommend the audiobook of your library has it, even though that‘s making it really hard to post quotes. 3y
Gezemice @GingerAntics Thanks! I actually prefer non-fiction on audio, except when seeing is essential - like when it has illustrations or special formatting. 3y
GingerAntics @Gezemice the audiobook is supposed to have an accompanying PDF so you can see the graphs, but my library doesn‘t seem to have that or isn‘t sharing it. Just because I know I‘m going to go back to this again and again as reference, I‘m going to get the ebook, then I have the graphs in context as well. 3y
Gezemice @GingerAntics Good to know! My library often does not have the PDF, either. 3y
GingerAntics @Gezemice maybe they get the audiobook and don‘t realise there is a PDF with it, or maybe the software/app they use doesn‘t allow them to share mixed media like that? The only way I knew about the PDF was when it was mentioned during the first chapter. 3y
14 likes10 comments
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GingerAntics
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GingerAntics
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GingerAntics
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GingerAntics
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🤣😂🤣 goodnight everyone!!!
#MatthewWalker #WhyWeSleep #disclaimer #sleep
Now I feel the need to start a new (seemingly useless, but according to this author, totally logical) tag... #audiosleeping 🤣😂🤣

Gezemice Lol, I need this audiobook! 3y
GingerAntics @Gezemice it‘s great!!! 3y
julesG This book is so good! The audiobook is wonderful. 3y
GingerAntics @julesG the audiobook is the best!!! It‘s so engaging, but also so relaxing. 3y
14 likes4 comments
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GingerAntics
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First World Problems that can kill you!!!
#MatthewWalker #WhyWeSleep #FirstWorldProblems

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GingerAntics
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As if the pandemic wasn‘t bad enough.
#MatthewWalker #WhyWeSleep #FirstWorldProblems

readordierachel When I first read this I thought "The Who" (the band) and was very confused for a sec ? 3y
GingerAntics @readordierachel 🤣😂🤣 I had it in all caps, but didn‘t realise until I was posting that everything is in caps in this style. The band declaring a lack of sleep is a pandemic would be confusing, although the songs they got out of it could be funny. 3y
BiblioLitten @readordierachel I thought the same!! 😅 3y
11 likes3 comments
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GingerAntics
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GingerAntics
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Enjoying this audiobook before bed, coincidentally.
#MatthewWalker #WhyWeSleep

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siriusiqa
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Pickpick

If you always loath the necessity of sleep, if you choose to think that sleep is not equally crucial as healthy diet and exercise, if you like to stay up most of the night to play games, watching movies/Kdramas and also reading, I recommend to read this book for you to know more about why we sleep.

This is an essential book to educate people to raise sleep awareness and better sleep practice.

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siriusiqa
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Sleep is the single most effective thing we can do to reset our brain and body health each day.

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8little_paws
Pickpick

Lots of interesting stuff to learn here--about how sleep, or lack thereof, affects the body. And how your sleep needs change over time, how sleep aids work, and the differences btw NREM and REM sleep. I did find the language to be a bit florid at times! But I am glad I read it--and I'm certainly sleeping more thanks to it!

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thoughts_brewery
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Pickpick

Never thought 8 hours of sleep is something so important!
Matthew Walker's book reveals some astounding facts that will startle you.

Read full review - http://www.thoughtsbrewery.in/why-we-sleep-matthew-walker/

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nikirtehsuxlol
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Staying up late to read a book about sleeping? Also, there are surprisingly a large amount of holds on this book at my library. Back off, patrons!

4 likes1 stack add
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amber_ldsmom
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Pickpick

How was this book? Frightening, but enlightening. I will definitely be trying to improve my sleep patterns.

Crazeedi Looks like a good one! 4y
17 likes1 comment
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whatrebeccasread
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Pickpick

“Why We Sleep” is a really educational read that I‘d recommend for anyone interested in the subject of sleep. It covers all aspects of the topic without being overwhelming. This was a good 4 star read for me!

My full review is up on my blog now 📚

Kalalalatja I really liked it, too! 4y
perfectsinner On my list 4y
63 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Maude
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Mehso-so

I am not sure audio was the way to go on this book, the reader's voice made me sleepy ☺ There were interesting parts, but then they tended to get buried in dense, dry passages of studies/statistics/anecdotes that all jumbled together. I may try to check out a print copy and see if it is better.

julesG You didn't listen to the introduction. It's said there that it's completely okay if you fall asleep while listening. Sleep is important. I guess that's why the narrator has to speak like this. But, I agree, it had pretty dense parts. 4y
Maude @julesG That makes me feel better then ☺ I did get the sleep was important part, the book really drilled that bit in 😁 4y
60 likes2 comments
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yargul_khan
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1) Pakistan
2) Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
3) 400 pages
4) @thevagabondlawyer

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yargul_khan
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Humans need more than seven hours of sleep each night to maintain cognitive performance. After ten days of just seven hours of sleep, the brain is as dysfunctional as it would be after going without sleep for twenty-four hours. Three full nights of recovery sleep are insufficient to restore performance back to normal levels after a week of short sleeping. Finally, the human mind cannot accurately sense how sleep-deprived it is when sleep-deprived.

thevagabondlawyer Welcome to LITSY Yar, post more 🙏 4y
yargul_khan @thevagabondlawyer Thank you, Winston. I look forward to engage more. 4y
4 likes2 comments
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cdcnmac
Pickpick

Exciting: Thermostats w/algorithms compare sleep, set optimum temp. Bulb w/filters vary light from warm yellow to strong blue w/sleep tracker to dialdown light in eve & increase in am. Car dashboard w/blue light for am commute
We need more than 7 hrs of sleep/night to maintain cognitive perf. After 10dys of 7 hrs sleep the brain is as dysfunctional as it would be w/o sleep 24hrs
Scary -drowsy driving and mirco sleeping when driving.

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Catsandbooks
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Pickpick

3.5/5 ⭐️ Lots of great information about sleep. I didn't realize quite how much sleep did for us and the effect it has on everything else in our lives. I feel like you can jump around in this book though and just read the sections that interest you. I need to improve my sleep now! 😴

TorieStorieS Glad to know learning about sleep didn‘t put you to sleep! 🤣 4y
Catsandbooks @TorieStorieS 😂hahaha it definitely made me want to get more sleep though 4y
TorieStorieS Well I‘m stacking it!! Thanks!! 4y
Catsandbooks @TorieStorieS hope you enjoy! 😊 4y
40 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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CamillaNoble
Pickpick

Excellent

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Catsandbooks
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SCRIBD USERS!!
Anyone know how to get rid of this arrow? I'm at a loss. 🧐🤷🏼‍♀️

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Catsandbooks
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1. I have 3 cats and love books
2. Homemaker/ cat mom
3. Watching TV, puzzles, reading, some baking
4. Tagged book.
5. I love the Calm app- one of my best purchases. Also make sure you have someone to talk to during this time 💕
#allaboutme

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘ve thought about getting that app!! 4y
Catsandbooks @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks It's fantastic! A couple years ago they had a lifetime membership half off for black Friday. It has helped me so much! 4y
32 likes2 comments
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Catsandbooks
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Link and I were able to squeeze in a few more hours of reading today, despite me somehow injuring my back. 😩 Also Link turns 2 tomorrow! Where did the time go??

Big Little Lies ✔️
Saga Book 2 ✔️
Saga Book 3 ✔️
Why We Sleep 25% complete

Great weekend of reading! 🙌🏼
#24b4monday

robinb Hope your back is better soon! 🤗 4y
Texreader Hope you feel better soon! 4y
Andrew65 A great time, well done 👏👏👏🙌🍾🥂🥳 Thanks for playing along and hope your back gets better soon, 😊 4y
Catsandbooks @robinb @Texreader thank you! I hope so too, I wish I could just get some relief. 4y
Catsandbooks @Andrew65 thank you and thanks for hosting! 4y
41 likes5 comments