Sleep Archive

Malaise is a feeling of weakness, fatigue, or being generally unwell. Addressing underlying causes and making healthy lifestyle changes - such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep - can help people with malaise feel better.

People may believe that rest and sleep are synonymous, but sleep is only one form of rest. People need seven different types of rest to feel recharged. These are physical, mental, spiritual, sensory, creative, emotional, and social rest.

What's keeping you up at night? It could be any of a number of sleep disorders. Find out how much you know about insomnia and other sleep problems by taking our quiz. 

Gummies and other products that contain non-intoxicating cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD), may improve sleep. While CBD is generally safe and doesn't have next-day effects, it can interact with certain medications. Whenever possible, people who use CBD products should check the certificate of analysis (which summarizes independent tests of potency and contaminant levels) before buying these products. They should also check with their doctors about potential interactions between CBD and any prescriptions or supplements they take.

Increasing numbers of older adults are using cannabis over recent years. People over 50 report using it to relax, sleep better, feel good, relieve pain, improve mood or mental health, or treat medical conditions. But older adults are more vulnerable to cannabis side effects, such as falls or interactions with prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Many older adults aren't aware that cannabis products today are far more potent than in decades past. Medical visits related to cannabis use rose more than 27-fold among adults 65 and older between 2008 and 2021.

Simple, proven strategies to live a longer, healthier life can help people become super-agers, defined as people who reach the age of 70 without any major diseases such as heart disease, cancer, or dementia. These habits include doing strength training to preserve muscle mass, eating a mostly vegetarian diet that provides many healthful nutrients, and prioritizing healthy sleep habits.

Research suggests that people can exercise in the evening without it affecting their sleep if they avoid physical activity several hours before bedtime.

A 2025 study identified poor sleep along with high blood pressure, nicotine use, and high blood sugar levels as particularly important factors increasing the long-term risk of heart problems for women in midlife.

A variety of health conditions can be influenced by sleep position. Side sleeping helps people breathe easier, hampers heartburn, and is safer during pregnancy, but it may aggravate joint pain. Back sleeping keeps the spine straighter, but can intensify breathing problems, worsen heartburn, and cause other problems during pregnancy. People should talk to their doctor if they have a health condition that could be affected by the way they sleep, but otherwise can sleep in the position that is most comfortable for them.

Insufficient sleep triggers a long list of physiological and hormonal changes that contribute to heart disease. For example, a lack of sleep can cause increases in blood pressure, blood sugar, inflammation, and weight. Doctors recommend getting at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. Strategies that promote better sleep include going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, creating a healthy sleep environment, and turning off electronics an hour before bedtime.