The Sleep Advocate philosophy:

THE VALUES:

• Sleep must be respected and not trivialized. We exist on this planet by day and by night, and our lives depend on it. Understand the place of sleep and rest in a full life.  All tissues and cells show cycles of activity and rest; these cycles are inescapable.

THE SCIENCE:

• Insomnia is a disorder with serious medical consequences. Insufficient sleep (undersleeping) is even more common than insomnia. Learn the science and medicine of the sleep-wake cycle.

THE LESSONS:

• Sleep Lessons are yours on this website and blog. Also given in small groups and individual sessions. The teacher and Advocate is a psychiatrist with decades of clinical experience; problems with lack of sleep (sometimes unrecognized) has been the most frequent complaint in psychiatric practice–which led to SleepAdvocate.

THE BENEFITS:

• Change your sleep, change your life. The upside of better sleep: A well-rested, well-slept adult is more attentive, focused, and involved in daily work or training; is more tuned in to the subtleties of interpersonal relationships; just plain feels better inside; behaves in a more safe manner.

THE RISKS:

• Lack of adequate sleep–according to published research–can be a predictor of unfortunate weight and metabolic problems, of immune system dysfunction, cognitive problems, and psychiatric disorders (especially depression, suicidality, addiction). It is a major safety issue for many industries, a risk when driving or in athletic activities.

WORK, SCHOOL, SOCIAL:

• The not rested person makes more subtle social errors, is irritable and avoidant, does not read people as well, fails to grasp the essence of work problems.  The consequences, outside of awareness, are much more than just that unpleasant feeling of tiredness or fatigue.