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White noise as sleep aid may do more harm than good, say scientists
White noise is the sound of all the frequencies that humans can hear and is at the same intensity, such as a fan or crashing waves.
Around the globe, millions of people are downloading white noise apps in the hope of getting better sleep at night. However, research suggests that they don't work and that they even may make things worse.
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Key Ideas
Is a naturally occurring hormone controlled by light exposure that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
Your brain secretes more melatonin when it’s dark, making you sleepy, and less when it’s light, making you more alert.
However, many aspects of modern life can alter your body’s production of melatonin and shift your circadian rhythm
During the day:
At night:
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Key Ideas
Noise pollution may lead to high blood pressure and heart attacks, as well as impairing hearing and overall health. Loud noises raise stress levels by activating the brain’s amygdala and causing the release of the stress hormone cortisol, according to research.
Silence has the opposite effect, releasing tension in the brain and body.
The constant attentional demands of modern life put a significant burden on the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is involved in high-order thinking, decision-making and problem-solving.
When we can finally get away from these sonic disruptions, our brains’ attention centers have the opportunity to restore themselves.
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Key Ideas
Researchers found that eating a diet high in sugar, saturated fat, and processed carbohydrates can negatively affect your sleep.
Foods rich in unsaturated fat, such as nuts...
Researchers found that eating more saturated fat and less fibre from foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains led to reductions in slow-wave sleep - the deep restorative kind of sleep.
People who consume a high-carbohydrate diet fall asleep much faster at night, but the quality of carbs matters. People who eat simple carbs and sugar tend to wake up more frequently throughout the night while eating complex carbs that contain fibre may help you obtain more deep, restorative sleep. This is because complex carbohydrates provide a more stable blood sugar level.
As people lose sleep, they may seek out more junk food. Healthy adults who sleep only four or five hours a night end up eating more calories and snacking on sweet foods more frequently.
Another study found that proper sleep can increase your willpower to avoid unhealthy foods.