Sleep

A new study has ranked the best types of exercise for improving sleep quality. The findings demonstrate that exercise is an easy-to-implement, relatively cheap, and particularly effective way of treating insomnia, a common problem for older adults.

Skipping one night of sleep causes healthy adults to see a spike in immune cells linked to chronic inflammation, a key feature of obesity, according to new research. It highlights the powerful link between sleep and immune health.

A new study has shown how individual components of our diet – the protein, carbohydrates, fiber and fats we eat – can improve or worsen sleep quality. The findings suggest that dietary interventions could be used to enhance sleep health.

As everyone knows, scratching at chronically itchy skin only makes the problem worse. A new device is claimed to help stop dermatitis patients from doing so while they sleep, without waking them up in the process.

A novel study testing the effects of caffeine on the human brain found daily consumption can significantly reduce the volume of one's gray matter. Whether this is a good or bad thing is unclear but that daily cup of coffee is certainly doing something.

A brand new candidate for weight-loss treatment is on the table, with scientists uncovering for the first time how a hormone produced by the hypothalamus during sleep has a direct impact on appetite regulation and metabolism.

A stage of sleep – reflected in the size of our pupils – is important to committing recent memories to the brain, which could be manipulated to improve cognitive function and even identify issues with being able to recall newer experiences when awake.

A new study turned up a surprising effect of having caffeine with a sweetener. For some java drinkers, it could be a way to get more out of the beverage. For others, though, it might be best to skip the sugar, especially at night.

Declining brain function is a natural part of the aging process, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be delayed. A new study found that physical activity can boost brain function for up to 24 hours and, independent of exercise, so can a good night’s sleep.

In an analysis of the sleep habits of over 72,000 people, researchers identified a particular pattern that can dramatically spike the risk of major cardiovascular problems. The good news is that the pattern is relatively easy to avoid.

New York might be known as the city that never sleeps, but it turns out there's a lot less shuteye happening in smaller urban areas across the globe. And it's not because of nightlife, but artificial light emitted from buildings and infrastructure.

For the first time, there's scientific evidence that a smaller, lesser known component of cannabis – cannabinol – delivers better quality and longer sleep. It proved to be comparable to existing sleep aids, without the undesirable side effects.