Sleep styles, sexsomnia, and dreams

Wake up and smell the sleep related content.

IN a nutshell Good morning, and happy Monday! How many of us slept well this weekend? I know I didn't. I'm currently sleeping on an air mattress while I wait for my new bed to arrive, so that's been fun. I'm hoping it comes ASAP because there's no denying the fact that your sleep habits can directly impact your health. Hey, would you look at that? This is one of many sleep related topics we're covering below! Don't hit the snooze button on the rest of today's topics: • cute and cuddly weighted stuffed animals • a rare but real sleep sex disorder (that I live with) • quiz: does everyone dream in color? • more health stories you need Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota November 21, 2022 • 5 min read

what's got us buzzing Your sleep chronotype can impact your health Calling all lions, dolphins, bears, and wolves! We're talking about sleep chronotypes (aka personal circadian rhythms) and how your bedtime habits can impact your health. Heads up: We're going to break down these four chronotypes into two buckets –– night owls and early birds. Ultimately, there are health pros and cons to each one, so no chronotype is "better" than the other. For example, new research suggests night owls are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but science says they may also be more creative, intelligent, and better at baseball. Yes, really. While early birds might get the worm (read: be more active and productive in the wee hours), they may lose focus by mid-day. On the other hand, nighttime can be ideal, distraction-free work zones for busy bees and ADHDers, as long as they're not sleep deprived the next day. There's *so* much to cover here, but the moral of the story is sleep hygiene is important. Need help optimizing your sleep routine to catch better Zzz's? Reduce blue light exposure before bed, try supplements like melatonin or lavender, or follow any of these other proven tips for better sleep. Tl;dr – There are potential health benefits and disadvantages of being a night owl or early bird. Whatever your sleep chronotype may be, make sure you're resting well every night based on your personal needs. Want to change your sleep and wake times? Check out our resource for how to switch your chronotype.

great finds Editor faves with health perks You know those great finds you just *have* to tell your friends about? That's how we feel about the products we recommend here. Every pick has been vetted by our editorial team, and we genuinely think it'll make your life better.       Hugimals Weighted Stuffed Animals Let's talk about the elephant in the room. No, not that deep, dark secret you've been hiding –– this Hugimals weighted stuffed elephant. Just like a weighted blanket, weighted stuffed animals can reduce anxiety, help you score a good night's sleep, and even boost focus while working with one sitting on your lap. Not to mention they're *way* cuter and cuddlier than a gray queen size throw. Not a fan of elephants? Hugimals makes weighted puppies, sloths, and bears, too. You might think weighted stuffed animals are only for kids, but nope! Anyone over the age of 2 years old can benefit from snuggling up with a soft, 4.5-pound cutie on the couch, in bed, during a flight, or at your desk. Shop now

Weird Science Sleep sex is real. What is it? You've heard of sleepwalking and sleeptalking, right? Well, we're about to introduce its not-so-sexy cousin who you may not know: Sleep sex aka sexsomnia. This rare sleep disorder causes people to experience sexual behaviors while totally asleep … and I'm one of the lucky 8% of folks who live with it. (Potential TMI warning ahead!) Sexsomnia manifests for me as sleep masturbation, but it can also show up through spontaneous orgasm or initiating intercourse with someone snoozing beside you. There are a bunch of potential causes, like sleep deprivation, stress, alcohol, childhood trauma, and medication to name a few. Many people don't even know they have it because they're 100% unconscious whenever episodes happen. Sexsomnia can distress those living with it and anyone sharing a bed or space with them, but it's totally manageable! You can take meds to treat any underlying sleep or mental health conditions or try lifestyle changes like drinking less alcohol or reducing your stress levels. If you think you or your partner might have it, see your doctor or undergo a sleep study to find out. There's *very* limited research on sexsomnia, but that's the gist of what we know so far. We'll be sure to keep you posted with any updates. For now, we're putting this topic to bed.

Health Hype Does everyone dream in color? (Find the answer at the end of this email)

health stories you need What we're reading next 7 of the best apps for sleep meditation. Ever try a guided meditation app for sleep? If not, check out this list of the best apps for beginners, nappers, and brains that can't shut off in 2023. The effects of fast food on the body. As an avid Taco Bell lover, the list of fast food health risks in this article make me sad but definitely remind me to keep my consumption in check. How Apple Airpods can be used as hearing aids. Listen up! They're not FDA-approved (yet), but a new study suggests wireless earbuds can perform like hearing ads in quiet environments.

Health Hype Answer Does everyone dream in color? No! I'd personally describe my dreams as chaotic collages of vivid imagery and random events. I assumed everyone dreamed in color, but I guess not! Although most folks do, 12% of people dream in black and white. This number is way lower today compared to data from the early 20th century. Why? Researchers suspect media influence plays a key role here. More specifically, people who watched greyscale media on colorless TVs and feature films a few decades ago were more likely to dream in B&W compared to those who consume content in color nowadays. Pretty cool, huh? Want to learn 44 more mind-boggling facts about dreams? Read our article here. Tell us: Do you dream in color? Do you even remember your dreams? Chime in at wellnesswire@healthline.com.

Thanks for reading! I hope I didn't scare you away by talking about my sexsomnia experience. I'm a firm believer that opening up about our health journeys empowers others to do the same and feel less alone. Anyway, we'll be back in your inbox again on Wednesday. See you then!

Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!     This edition was powered by daydreams of better sleep.   View in browser Did a friend send you this email? Subscribe here. To see all newsletters, click here. Privacy    |    Unsubscribe © 2022 Healthline Media 1423 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707