Bedtime talk • New film focuses on women's sleep
Sleep deprivation is spreading epidemic style across the world. Not least in Sweden, where every second woman is experiencing disturbed sleep. In a new film recorded in the BMC sleep laboratory, we follow researchers Diana Noga Morais Ferreira and Christian Benedict in their work to answer how the menstrual cycle and hormones affect women's sleep.
(Image removed) Diana Noga Morais Ferreira exploring what affects women's sleep
Sleep is an important part of life and a time for body and soul to digest experiences and challenges. Unfortunately, our sleeping habits are getting worse. In a survey among teens in Uppsala County, every third respondent stated that they suffer from impaired sleep - and a report from the Public Health Agency shows that up to one in two women in Sweden experience problems with sleep. But what is it due to?
“Some of the biggest sleep disruptors are alcohol, mobile phones, caffeine, family stress, financial stress and job stress. We also suspect that women's sleep can be affected by, for example, hormones during the menstrual cycle, which is why we are currently studying stress levels, mood, and estrogen levels,” says Christian Benedict in a new film from Uppsala University.
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Christian, currently launching his new book Sov dig till ett bättre liv, could earlier this year be seen in the SVT series Sov Gott, where he and program host David Batra accepted the challenge to help four famous Swedes overcome their sleep deprivation. After four Thursday prime time evenings, it was clear that the duo has created a public education success.
“We received a fantastic response. The programs attracted an average audience of 600,000 people that seem to have appreciated the series' accessible and humorous appeal. I think a key is to de-dramatise and focus on the positive aspects of sleep. In Sov Gott, we try a number of different methods with the message being that everything that works is good, and my impression is that the viewers have taken this to heart.
In six new short films recorded at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Christian Benedict also answers:
- Does exercise make us sleep better?
- Is sleep affected by the moon?
- Do I have to sleep uninterrupted at night to get a good night's sleep?
- If a nightcap can really help you sleep better?
- Are routines important?
- Is it good to take a Powernap during daytime?
FACTS
- Christian Benedict's research group studies how disturbances in the circadian rhythm and sleep loss affect health and performance and in June received DKK 9.35 million from the Novo Nordisk Foundation to study sleep and blood sugar levels.
- The films are produced by Daniel Olsson and Annica Hulth, Uppsala University.
LEARN MORE
- “If I am to give one advice, it is...” Bedtime talk with sleep expert Benedict
- Christian Benedict helps 600,000 Swedes to Sleep Tight
- Research in Pharmacology at Uppsala University
CONTACT
(Image removed) Christian Benedict, Senior Lecturer
Dep. of Pharmaceutical Biosciences
Christian.Benedict@farmbio.uu.se
(Image removed) Diana Noga Morais Ferreira, Researcher
Dep. of Pharmaceutical Biosciences
Diana.Noga.Morais@uu.se
Text: Annica Hulth, Magnus Alsne, photo: Daniel Olsson a o