What are your questions about sleeping, waking, sleep disorders, or sleep deprivation? Ask, and ye shall receive the sleep facts you need to know. I want this sleep blog to be a valuable source of solutions for sleep problems, facts about sleeping, and help for sleep deprived sleepers.

You don’t have a sleep question or tip? Then tell me what you think about this sleep blog! If you have any suggestions, or if something isn’t working for you, please let me know below. I’ve been blogging since 2008, but Zzz Sleep Blog is brand new. It’s a baby blog, fresh from the sleep stork. I welcome your tips and feedback on anything.

If you have no questions about sleep, feel free to share a sleep tip or fact about sleeping, insomnia, or anything related to getting a good night’s rest. I even welcome sleep stories

Sleep FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Here are a few of the most commonly asked sleep questions, to kick things off…

Q: Does staying up all night to study or party damage my health?

Yes! Even if you stay up all night for just one night, there are short-term effects of sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep will make you drowsy, your vigilance will fade and your ability to think and remember will decrease. If you drive or operate machinery (and remember that kitchen tools are machinery!), you run the risk of hurting yourself or others.

Q: If I sleep in a frying pan, will I hurt my back?

Yes.

Q: Can I prepare my body for an upcoming “all-nighter”or sleepless night?

It might help a bit to get as well rested as possible in anticipation of not sleeping for a night – or for working an all-night shift. But, napping and getting extra sleep beforehand isn’t a good substitute for a regular schedule of seven or eight hours of sleep a night.

Q: What stimulants can I use to help me stay awake all night – and are there any health risks?

A large cup of caffeinated coffee could help you stay awake for a little while, but it takes about 20 minutes for caffeine to kick in. But, you will build a tolerance to caffeine – which means you’ll need more and more to get the same effect. Plus, drinking lots of caffeine will give you unpleasant side effects, such as palpitations and high blood pressure.

Questions About Sleep Deprivation

Q: What are the effects of not getting enough sleep?

Sleep deprivation increases appetite, which can lead to obesity and poor food choices when you’re grocery shopping. Sleep deprivation also has a negative effect on your memory and cognitive skills, and impairs your overall health and immune system functioning. Research shows sleep deprivation also plays a role in chronic migraines – and one study found that poor sleep can contribute to symptoms of schizophrenia.

If you’re sleep deprived, read Need Zzz’s? How to Recover From Sleep Debt.

Q: If I sleep in a sink, will I wake up refreshed?

No.

Q: How do I overcome jet lag?

Jet lag isn’t just caused by traveling halfway around the world (or to the other end of Canada). Shiftwork has a similar effect, because it disrupts your body’s internal clock. Sleeping more can help you recover from the short-term tiredness and fatigue that accompanies jet lag, but it won’t help you avoid the long-term consequences of sleep deprivation due to shift work.

In 10 Remedies for Jet Lag, I share a variety of ways to overcome the weird feelings of an upside-down internal clock.

Q: What is your sleep question – or will you share a sleep fact -or tip? 

Comment below, and I’ll either:

• Write a blog post that answers your sleep question
• Answer your question in the comments section, if it’s short
• Include your sleep question and my sleep fact in the “Sleep FAQ” above

I also welcome sleep jokes and funny photos – and if you’d like to write a blog post that helps readers solve sleep problems or offers sleep tips, please let me know below. I welcome guest posts on this sleep blog, but they have to be tips-oriented. I’m also happy to include links back to your website, blog, service, or product.

Thank you for being here! And may you sleep well tonight.