Sleep and Dreams

Imagine being trapped in a cave or being completely blind. Would you know when to sleep and wake? And how would that throw off your body clock?

By Jennifer Walker-Journey

You've probably had a scary dream where you fell off a cliff, were naked in public or were chased by a monster. What causes these nightmares and can you lessen their occurrence?

By Alia Hoyt

Getting enough sleep and finding the healthiest position to sleep in go hand in hand. So, side, back, stomach? Which is the healthiest way to sleep?

By Laurie L. Dove

Four weeks and 4,000 miles is a long time to get by on catnaps during a solo sailing race. So, researchers set out to find whether there was a sleep strategy that worked best.

By Nathan Chandler

Sleeping with a weighted blanket is said to help alleviate stress and anxiety by creating a "snuggle effect." But does science back this up?

By Nathan Chandler & Kate Kershner

A new study determined it takes a split second for our brains to replay and store certain memories when we sleep.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

When your quality of sleep degrades, your whole life — from work to family — begins to fray at the edges. Do you know some of the basics of getting better sleep?

By Nathan Chandler

If you sleep with someone who snores, you may've read that you should wake them up and have them turn on their side to stop the problem. But does it work?

By Dave Roos

Wearing socks to bed may not look sexy, but it can be a lifesaver at helping you fall asleep faster.

By Dave Roos

Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? We'll give you the most common reasons why you're tired and how to fix them.

By Dave Roos

Experts have long advised people to get up at the same time each day for better sleep long-term. But a new study is great news for people who like to sleep in on their days off.

By Alia Hoyt

Most sleep experts recommend a nap of 20 to 30 minutes in the afternoon, but some say that longer naps bring about significant improvement in creative problem-solving.

By Dave Roos

Not getting enough quality sleep can take a serious toll on your mental and physical well-being. It can also shorten your life.

By Carrie Tatro

Are you one of those people who can't fall asleep without the sound of a fan? The reason may have something to do with your "sleep spindles."

By Alia Hoyt

Even if the film is full of blasting bombs and flashing lights, it might not be enough to stop some folks from nodding off.

By Dave Roos

They're not hallucinations, but they're not just regular nightmares, either.

By Oisin Curran

Don't worry, you'll grow out of it – unless you're among the tiny percent of adults who still experience horrific sleep visions. Learn all about night terrors at HowStuffWorks.

By Oisin Curran

Arianna Huffington's new book on sleep got us thinking about how to get better zzzs. Could lowering the thermostat work for you, too?

By Kathryn Whitbourne

If you're aware you're dreaming and you face certain death, does the real you die when the dream you does? It's a mind-bending question.

By Laurie L. Dove

Are you up with the birds or burning the midnight oil? Or somewhere in between? The reason why you love getting up early, or hate it, has a lot to do with genetics.

By Alia Hoyt

Many of us who occasionally sacrifice sleep in favor of other tasks suffer the physical and mental side effects the next day. But what would happen if you never slept again?

By Laurie L. Dove

Imagine how much you could get done without the need for sleep. An extra six to eight hours every day seems like a dream come true. Has the future arrived? Are we ready to embark on a waking life? Read this to find out.

By Bambi Turner

Feel like sleep deprivation will be the death of you? It just might be, but perhaps you can curtail this devastating situation.

By Bambi Turner

Insomnia can feel like torture, but can it be fatal? The answer is yes, but it's an incredibly rare neurodegenerative disease, normally passed down genetically.

By Maria Trimarchi

You know you're not yourself when you don't get enough sleep, but what really happens to your body when the sandman refuses to visit?

By Maria Trimarchi