Q&A Sleep Myths By James B. Maas, Ph.D.  Does the brain rest during sleep? Most people thought of sleep as a passive, dormant part of our daily lives.  By using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) researchers have evidenced that neurons in the brainstem, which connects the brain with the spinal cord, produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine that keep some parts of the brain active while we are awake. So, contrary to popular

Rooted in Routine: Everything you must know about getting your children to sleep, but are too tired to ask!   By Jill Barnum, MA Sleep is the single most effective thing we can do to reset our brain and body for health and performance. Good quality and quantity sleep is not a luxury, it’s a necessity, and our kids need it just as much as we do. Sleep deprivation can lead

The start of a new year of school is just around the corner and that means you want your kids to put their best foot forward. To help them, it’s important to recognize that those laid back days will soon be replaced with busy schedules and after-school activities. Of course, for most families, those relaxed days of summer vacation meant a lax sleeping schedule, so how do you get everyone back on

Sleep & Weight Management Also published in Complete Wellbeing Magazine By James B. Maas, Ph.D. and Rebecca S. Robbins Contributions by Rebecca G. Fortgang and Sharon R. Driscoll Practicing good sleep hygiene, including meeting your individual sleep need every night, is essential for maintaining your weight and a healthy life style. The quantity and quality of your sleep influence the hormonal activity that regulates your appetite. Sleep deprivation and poor sleep

The Architecture of a Good Night’s Sleep By James B. Maas, Ph.D., Rebecca S. Robbins, and Sharon R. Driscoll Maas Presentations, LLC and Cornell University Given that we spend (or should spend) one-third of our lives sleeping, it's alarming how little we know about our down time. Does it surprise you that 40% of laypersons and physicians think the brain shuts down and takes a rest when we fall asleep? In

“The skin is the largest organ in the body. When your body is healthy it will manifest first by giving you a glowing, radiant complexion!” - Dermatologist Diane Berson Do you want vibrant, healthy, younger looking skin? We have the answer for you: sleep! Not getting enough sleep not only leaves us tired, irritable and unable to concentrate on our daily routine, but it also has major effects on our skin.

There’s just something about springtime that motivates us to welcome the freshness into our homes. As flowers bloom and gentle breezes flow, we invite the warmth and renewal of the flourishing outdoors in various ways—including spring cleaning, opening the windows, and changing out bedding from the layered cozy blankets of winter to lightweight items. Better yet, add a touch of vibrant colors. So, as the spring season brings about changes outdoors,

BY JAMES MAASSleep deprivation can cause an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes), type 2 diabetes, influenza, obesity, dental problems, depression, cancer, early onset of Alzheimer’s disease, time to recover from sickness and will reduce longevity. Perhaps most important is lack of quality sleep or enough sleep has a major affect on your immune system.While you are sleeping your immune system releases proteins called cytokines. Specific cytokines need to

BY JAMES MAAS, BRIANNA C. BELLHealthy sleep is the most important thing you can do for your brain and body to maintain a healthy life. While nutrition and exercise are also key, sleep is the best predictor of lifespan. Proper sleep raises our body’s immunity against viral infection and protects against higher risks of cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes), Type II diabetes, obesity, cancer, early onset of Alzheimer’s disease, depression, irritability,

By the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll be surprised at the number of misconceptions you held about sleep BY JAMES MAAS, DANIELLE J BOEHM 1. During sleep, your brain rests completely Most people think of sleep as a passive, dormant part of their daily lives. Wakefulness contains only a single brain wave. To be physically, psychologically, and emotionally at your best, you have to experience five different types of