Smartphone Superpower Comes at a Cost

Thanks to the blessings of 21st century technology, we can now talk to anyone, learn anything and transport anywhere in what feels like the blink of an eye.

Unfortunately, this realm of seemingly superhuman connectivity could be coming at a price, gradually grinding away at one of our most fundamental human needs.

This week, an article published in The Atlantic, "How Smart Phones Hurt Sleep," revealed some sobering statistics.

The piece cites a 2012 Time/Qualcomm poll conducted among 4,700 respondents in seven countries, including the U.S., in which participants were asked to gauge their level of agreement with the following assessment.

"I don't sleep as well as I used to because I am connected to technology all the time."

And the results? Nearly 25% of participants ages 18-24 strongly agree with the above statement, followed by nearly 15% ages 25-29, 10% ages 30-34 ...

And so it goes, gradually decreasing in percentage as participants' ages increase.

The conclusion? Those losing the most sleep are also the ones who need it the most.

"Electronic devices are designed to keep the brain engaged, making it more difficult to get to sleep at night," said Dr. Carol Ash in a Star Ledger/NJ.com article last year. "In addition, the light emitted from these devices limits the body’s release of melatonin, which helps us transition into our nighttime sleep cycle."

Read the complete Atlantic article, How Smartphones Hurt Sleep, to learn more.

Nap Time More Than Child's Play

Think nap time is just for kids? Watch Dr. Ash on the Better Show discussing the benefits of a daily siesta! 

How much sleep do you really need?

Earlier this month, the National Sleep Foundation released an age-based breakdown of recommended hourly sleep each day, as reported in the Washington Post.  The recommendations for ages ranging from newborns to older adults were published in the foundation's journal Sleep Health.

So how much sleep do you need? Find out here.

Dr. Carol Ash drops by "CBS This Morning" to discuss sleep schedules, work schedules and healthy tips for balancing both

Get Your New Year Off to a Healthy Start with Our Top Stories of 2014

Another year, another step toward a healthier you. Health and wellness topics were hotter than ever in 2014, a year of breakthroughs, outbreaks and trends that had people all over the world talking. So what did we learn in 2014? Read on for some of the year's top health advice from Meridian experts.

1. Sleep Disorders Are No Walk in the Park

   Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli's decision to undergo surgery to treat his sleep apnea was yet another call to action for public discourse on the seriousness of the ongoing struggle roughly 18 million Americans have with this potentially life threatening disorder, characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. Read the full article here.



2.  Do Our Kids Need More Sleep?

   Meridian Health Director of Sleep Medicine Dr. Carol Ash took on this hot-button issue during a visit to CBS This Morning. Hear what she had to say here.



3. What's Making Us So Tired?

   On a visit to the TODAY Show, Dr. Carol Ash joined Julie Bain, Health Director of the Ladies Home Journal to discuss answers to the commonly posed health question, "Why am I so tired?" Listing common causes that include diet and stress, both Ash and Bain agreed that most cases of daytime fatigue can be remedied with adjustments to both habit and lifestyle. Watch the full clip here.



4. Sleeping Apart Could Boost Mind, Body and Relationship

   He likes it cold; she likes it hot. She's a mover and a shaker; he's down for the count. Opposites may attract, but when it's time to call it a night, some differences come at a cost. It sounds extreme, but on an episode of "The Doctors," Dr. Carol Ash discussed how sleeping separately from your partner could provide a healthier night's sleep all around. Read all about it here.



5. Healthy Sleep Impacts School Performance

   According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), two-thirds of American children age 10 and younger have sleep problems. They noted 60 percent of children under the age of 18 complained of being tired during the day, and 15 percent fell asleep at school. So what can a parent do? Read on to find out.

Dr. Carol Ash on "CBS This Morning" discussing the effects of sleep issues on "brain drain"

For Tom Brady, the perfect 'night out' is a night in

When a Super Bowl MVP and star NFL quarterback has a night to himself, you might imagine him spending it out on the town, partying till dawn, and indulging in a few of the all star "perks" of being a celebrity baller.

(Photo by Stephan Savoia/Associated Press)

“I’m not doing anything like that. That time has come and gone in my life. I did a lot of charger work last night - sleeping," said Patriots QB Tom Brady during an interview on WEEI's "Dennis and Callahan Show."

"This is my first time away from my kids in a while, so I finally get some decent sleep," he added.

While teammates Rob Gronkowski, Jonas Gray, and Shane Vereen were attending a recent Clippers game, Brady had no qualms admitting his ideal "night out" is often a night in - catching up on some much needed sleep, according to Jordi Lippe of Yahoo Health.