Decoding Your Dreams

Carol Ash, D.O., director of Sleep Medicine for Meridian Health, recently stopped by the Fox & Friends studio to discuss the meaning behind some of our most common dream-time scenarios, including being chased, being cheated on by a partner, and more.

So what do they all mean? Watch Dr. Carol Ash on Fox & Friends below and find out! Be sure to visit MeridianHealth.com/Sleep to learn more about the Meridian Centers for Sleep Medicine.

Test Your Sleep IQ

A healthy night's sleep — we all know we need it, but not all of us get it. When we're under pressure and time is of the essence, it's the first thing we're willing to sacrifice to get the job done. 

Few of us would think twice about burning the midnight oil for the sake of productivity. But at what cost?

How much does a healthy night's sleep really matter? Take the quiz below and find out!

1. Rapid eye movement (REM) is the deepest stage of sleep, when most dreaming occurs. On average, how frequently does REM occur throughout the night? a.)  4 times
   b.)  3 times
   c.)  2 times
   d.)  1 time

Take the rest of the quiz here!

Top Truths from Our Most Trusted Sleep Celebrity

When pearls of lifestyle advice are dropped by pop culture's most elite, whether that be Gwyneth Paltrow or Beyonce, people take notice. (Did you know Emmy Rossum is "a huge napper?" Think about it.)

We thought we'd follow up this Huffington Post collection of nine celebrity sleep quotes with a few of our own, courtesy of Meridian Health Director of Sleep Medicine, Carol Ash, D.O.

• "Stay hydrated. And Al,  I know you ride your bike to work, be careful going home. Don't run anybody over."
  - to Al Roker, before his record setting "Roker-thon" 
  attempt for the longest uninterrupted weather forecast
  
  


• "Lack of sleep can contribute to numerous health issues, including higher prevalence of chronic pain, high blood pressure, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and premature aging."



• "The number-one mistake people who can't sleep make is turning to over-the-counter medications. These pills don't target the problem - and can even make it worse." 


•  "Whatever you do, don't ignore the snore."


•  "Can't sleep? Find a cause. Studies show volunteering and pro bono work helps create external focus and connects us to others. These types of commitments help people find purpose and meaning in life, which can help eliminate racing thoughts at night."


•  "Sleeping Beauty had it right. Get enough sleep, and you'll be amazed by the effects it'll have on your appearance."


•  "Take a deep breath. Mindful breathing helps you relax and clear your mind prior to bedtime." 

Dr. Ash on CBS This Morning: When Sleep Suffers, Illness Spikes

Meridian Health Director of Sleep Medicine Carol Ash, D.O., was recently featured on CBS This Morning, where she discussed a recent sleep study that points to a correlation between illness and lack of sleep.

Watch Dr. Ash's segment here:

What does your favorite sleeping position say about you?

When it comes to sleep, all men (and women) are not created equal

Researchers have found that, when it comes to sleep health, men and women are not created equal.

Studies show that sleep disorders do affect men and women differently. While men tend to suffer more from sleep apnea, women are more likely to report spending their nights tossing and turning.

Although researchers can't say for sure why women apparently have more trouble sleeping than men, they have noticed certain patterns. Particularly, women seem to have the most trouble falling asleep when hormone levels change - during pregnancy, early motherhood, menopause, and at certain times during the menstrual cycle.

Researchers know that the hormone progesterone causes sleepiness, and they also know that a woman's progesterone level rises during mid-month ovulation, and then drops dramatically at the onset of a menstrual period. This drop also is the time when many women report having sleep problems.

Learn more about the connection between sleep health and women's health, including ways pregnancy and menopause affect sleep.

In Defense of Mondays

You can't avoid it. You know it's coming - just like it has a thousand times before and will a thousand more.

But do Mondays get a bum rap?

We all know how it feels: You're sluggish. You're irritable. You can't focus...

Wait, don't we know those symptoms from somewhere else?

What if  "the Mondays" aren't a condition, but a symptom themselves?

Here's a hint: When was the last time you were out of bed and out the door by 7 a.m. - on a Sunday?

Who doesn't love staying up, and sleeping in a bit later on weekends? But, according to Meridian Health Director of Sleep Medicine Dr. Carol Ash, maintaining the same bedtime and wake-up time every day - yes, even weekends - helps keep your internal clock balanced and properly wound.

But if you're consistently throwing off your body's internal rhythm when weekends hit, don't be surprised to feel your chains grinding when it's time to shift back into high gear - a.k.a., Monday morning.

So, next time someone at the office complains about "the Mondays," smile and remind them that the world gave us YouTube, the Jackson 5 and Kermit the Frog all on a Monday.

And than invite them over for Sunday coffee - at 6 a.m. sharp.