Is it True The More You Sleep, The Longer You Live?

re: Is it True The More You Sleep, The Longer You Live?

sleepybob — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:05:01 GMT

I slightly disagree with both Dr. Mercola and Dr. Humphreys. I think the information provided by both of them is both incomplete and misleading. One of the things that I believe they both have left out is the presence and effect of sleep dept and sleep disorders. If you're not familiar with sleep debt the best way I can describe it is that if you need 8 hours of sleep every night and only get 7 you build up one hour of sleep debt. The more sleep debt you have the more you have to sleep to work it off just like burning calories and losing weight. I read a book by one of the leading sleep doctors (The Promise of Sleep by Dr. William C. Dement) and didn't quite believe in this concept until I repeated one of their sleep studies on myself where essentially I increased my sleep to 10 or 11 hours a night for a few weeks (in order to work off the sleep debt). I was amazed at how much better I gradually began feeling. I got to a point where I couldn't sleep anymore than 8 or 9 hours even if I tried to force myself to and if I only got 2 or 3 hours of sleep I would still feel fine the next day (a few nights like that catches up with you though). Now I sleep 6 or 7 hours a night and add a few extra hours in here or there when I can and feel much better than I used to. I highly recommend Dr. Dements book to anyone interested in learning more.

re: Is it True The More You Sleep, The Longer You Live?

Jenleigh — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 03:13:32 GMT

GregB777,

I concur on the Magnesium! It helps so much with stress and keeps me feeling balanced.

I would also recommend to anyone who wakes up tired all the time to do a parasite cleansing protocol. Other countries (including parts of Europe) deworm themselves twice a year. I like Colonix, Humaworm, or Parabiotic Plus by Biogenesis. They are all pretty much the same thing. Those critters steal our vitamins and nutrients, and leave us tired and stressed! Does anyone else have any experience with this?

re: Is it True The More You Sleep, The Longer You Live?

nonsumdignus — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 12:52:53 GMT

Right, Bonny. Correlation does not imply causality. I *have* to sleep 8hrs+, 9 when pregnant. But I'm very willing to buy that it's related to my sugar addiction and lack of exercise (then needing to sleep more means no time for exercise in the day, a lovely cycle).

I was falling asleep during conversations, having restless legs at night, sleeping while driving, etc. A neurologist prescribed Cylert (more powerful than Ritalin). I started sleeping 8 instead of 7 hrs and all the symptoms went away.

A key to sleeping enough for this mother of 4 is sleeping with the baby. He nurses all night and I sleep all night - everyone's happy.

re: Is it True The More You Sleep, The Longer You Live?

Mr.AK — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 12:41:20 GMT

My formula for great sleep is listening to a Holosync meditation CD that programs the brain to create more melatonin, and using a blindfold. Amazing!

re: Is it True The More You Sleep, The Longer You Live?

Omawazzi — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:32:50 GMT

You want good quality sleep? Take Melatonin and you'll sleep like a well fed baby.

Yes, I know Mercola is weary of this, but I have taken it for over 12 years and have not suffered any side effects.

I won't go to bed without it.

re: Is it True The More You Sleep, The Longer You Live?

joeday — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 10:57:24 GMT

I believe stress causes inferior sleep, and stress can include anticipation of good or bad news.

In my opinion, constant reminders by health writers about unhealthy inferior sleep just adds to the stress of the hapless people who have the problem.

Joe

re: The More You Sleep, The Longer You Live

Magnolia — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Nitey nite, all you lovely people! Sleep well, dream beautiful dreams, wake refreshed. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

re: The More You Sleep, The Longer You Live

Health Freedom — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 05:00:00 GMT

A good night's sleep is critical, and now I read that it will prolong my life. But will it increase the number of my wakeful hours? :)

re: The More You Sleep, The Longer You Live

seg — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 05:00:00 GMT

There is absolutely no substitute for a good nights sleep, and you don't need a drug either ,none whatsoever, this is when your "batteries" recharge . If you don't have a fully charge battery then you can only go as long as the charge and you most probably will die of before the end of the day. Depending on your schedule and if it permits you should try to go bed on time around that 10 o'clock mark, keep your room as dark as possible and try to get as much as 7 to 8 hrs. If you're having trouble sleeping they are a number of things that you can do, exercise proper diet eliminate grains and refine sugars , EFT, this site has lots to offer check it out . You can also use ask your doctor for a prescription(yes compliments of the FDA you now need a prescription) of tryptophan (natural amino acid found abundantly in turkey and milk) usual dose i believe is 250 mg to start and up to 500 if needed. My personal favourite is a nice glass of warm milk which usually does the trick...

re: The More You Sleep, The Longer You Live

Patty D — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Since I've changed my diet, I've been able to sleep without sleeping pills for the first time in a very long time. I'm also sleeping longer, 6-8 hours instead of 3-5 hours BUT...I still wake up tired and hurting and feeling like I haven't slept. Any ideas?

re: The More You Sleep, The Longer You Live

Reesacat — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Live Long and Power Nap............

re: The More You Sleep, The Longer You Live

KAC — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 05:00:00 GMT

I sleep whenever I can. I have a 50 mile commute to work and get up at 4:30 am. I just joined a vanpool and I am able to sleep in the van about 50% of the time. I also have a wellness center at my work with a dry sauna. At lunch, I use the sauna and fall asleep. I am more productive at work as a result.

re: The More You Sleep, The Longer You Live

Rogway — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Well, I just found yet another way of adding another 100 years on my lifeitme. This will put me up to around 320 now. Get plenty of sleep folks--see ya'll in the furure.

re: Is it True The More You Sleep, The Longer You Live?

certifiedorganic — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:38:48 GMT

This isn't the first time that I've come across the premise that those who sleep over 7 hours are at more risk of disease. It's a case of which came first, the chicken or the egg.

I don't believe it is the act of sleeping over 7 hours that pre-disposes an individual to disease. I believe the disease develops because of various other factors. Meanwhile, the person who is unhealthy needs to sleep longer.

~Bonny.