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of modern life— even more so in recent For jetlag, the optimal dose appears to
How much is enough? years. Tea has far less caffeine than coffee. be 5 mg, taken at bedtime in the new
The amount of sleep one gets seems to correlate with QExercise Aerobic exercise that lasts for timezone; for insomnia, a dose less than
longevity; seven hours is the ‘sweet spot’. A lack of sleep an hour will help you get to sleep and stay one-tenth of that (0.3 mg).
(5 hours or less) more than doubles the risk of cardiac asleep. However, it may take up to three QThe bottomline Folk wisdom about the
death while too much (8 hours or more) seems to be weeks for the full effect to be noticeable. healing properties of sleep is absolutely
associated with non-cardiac death. Too little sleep QAlcohol Alcohol at night reduces the correct. Too often it is neglected by physi-
BANANASTOCK LTD
seems to be a particular risk factor for weight gain, healing benefits of sleep. While people cians in their advice to patients. With a
fall asleep faster, alcohol increases lighter systematic approach and some discipline,
DR VIKAS SAINI is a clinical cardiologist and researcher at Harvard Medical School and Harvard School
of Public Health. He is president of the Lown Cardiovascular Research Foundation in Boston. Write to him at REM sleep and shortens slow-wave sleep you can improve your sleep, feel better
vikas.s@preventionindia.com and overall sleep time. As a result, it can and live healthier and longer!