Sleep, features and articles | Educational Science

Jan 11, 2021

Sleep evolved before brains did, study finds

Our brains need sleep to work properly. But it turns out you don't need a brain to sleep. In a new study, researchers identified a sleep-like state in a tiny, freshwater animal called a hydra, which has a simple anatomy and lacks a brain. We now have strong evidence that...

Feb 15, 2021

Why do we breathe so loudly when we sleep?

During the most peaceful sleep, some people snore obnoxiously loud, ruining the chances of slumber for anyone sharing their bedroom. But even those who don’t snore do breathe louder when they nod off than when they're awake. Why do people breathe so loudly when they sleep? The sound made when...

Apr 18, 2021

Can a night owl turn into an early bird?

Some people wake up before the sun peeks above the horizon, go for a run and eat a hearty breakfast, all before many others roll out of bed. Waking up that early might sound exhausting to late risers, but can a night owl become an early bird? It is possible...

Aug 26, 2022

Why do guys get sleepy after sex?

It’s a question that’s been keeping (some of us) up at night: why do guys get sleepy after sex? Many men barely leave time for the bed sheets to settle before they make a beeline for the land of nod, but is there any scientific reason why one gender might...

Aug 30, 2022

Why do I feel sleepy after eating?

Few things are as irresistible as slumber's post-lunch siren call, but why do we feel sleepy after eating? After all, food is an energy source, not an energy sapper — right? Unfortunately, the human body isn't that simple, with a cornucopia of factors coming into play to determine how tired...

Oct 4, 2022

Does sleeping burn calories?

Have you ever wondered: does sleeping burn calories? Research by PNAS has found the brain can use more than 20% of your body’s calorie intake per day and continues to burn calories even when you’re asleep. You can monitor your sleep quality using one of the best fitness trackers, which...

Oct 4, 2022

What is sleep hygiene?

Trouble sleeping can be one of the most frustrating and debilitating experiences in modern life. This is because sleep affects the brain, and those suffering with insomnia can experience memory lapses, appetite changes and mood swings. According to the journal Sleep, around one third of American adults don’t get the...

Oct 4, 2022

What happens in your brain while you sleep?

Our brains are complex and elaborate. They contain billions of neurons, don't fully form until we reach age 25, and can generate around 25 watts of power — enough to illuminate a light bulb. Scientists are constantly learning new information about how the brain functions, but what do we know...

Oct 4, 2022

How to fall asleep

All too often, we take falling asleep for granted. For many of us, all we need to do is change into our pajamas, climb under the covers and fall straight to sleep. But it’s not always that easy. Knowing how to fall asleep is a real problem, bringing with it...

Oct 4, 2022

How to sleep for longer

Many of us have been wondering how to sleep for longer and it’s little wonder. Nowadays, there are lots of distractions and stressors, from work to relationships, family to finances, making it difficult to get a quality night's sleep. In the first instance, it can help to pin down just...

Oct 13, 2022

Can dehumidifiers help with snoring?

We’ve all experienced those sticky, hot summer days when the air feels so thick and heavy it’s almost impossible to breathe. Luckily, dehumidifiers can help to remove moisture from the air and make your home feel a little more comfortable. But can dehumidifiers also help with snoring? Dehumidifiers are electrical...

Oct 27, 2022

What are the best supplements for sleep?

If you are someone who is experiencing poor sleep, you may wish to consider taking a sleep supplement to help improve this. There are numerous sleep supplements widely available that are safe but it can be hard to know which one to choose as their efficacy ranges. Here, we’ve examined...

Nov 3, 2022

What is the best sleeping position?

We all have our favorite position to sleep in but which is the best sleeping position? While it may be a matter of personal preference, the position in which you sleep is key not just to the quality of your night’s rest and how well your body recuperates after the...

Nov 4, 2022

Why am I always tired if I get enough sleep?

Like most people, you will likely spend a third of your life in bed, and if all goes well, you'll sleep through most of it. But unless you participate in a sleep study, you'll have no clue what goes on while you're checked out, and you might not know how...

Nov 7, 2022

Is sleeping too much bad for you?

Good quality sleep is linked to overall physical and mental health, but is sleeping too much bad for you? Put simply, it can be. Oversleeping, as well as a lack of it, has been linked to a higher risk of chronic illnesses including coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, anxiety...