A recent Instagram post summarizing the 'impact of smartphone use on athletes' sleep and performance' caught my eye and got me wondering about the research that supports my internal suspicion that cell phones are harming the performance of athletes. As a coach and father of athletes, I was motivated to delve deeper into existing research …
Continue reading 5 Ways That Cell Phone Use Negatively Impacts Athletes
Regular blog readers will know I am a big fan of the benefits of sleep. Not only have I blogged extensively about the topic and advocate for the benefits of sleep with my students through lessons that often lead to the creation of sleep-related advocacy podcasts, but I am also a fan of sleep myself. …
Esports, or organized competitive video gaming (Jenny et al., 2017), have proven to be a global phenomenon that attracts millions of players and audiences. The esports industry is massive, with professional tournaments offering multi-million-dollar prize pools and streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube enabling influencers and talented gamers a full-time income (Ahn et al., 2020). …
World Sleep Day 2025 falls on Friday, March 14, with the theme "Make Sleep Health a Priority." Organized by the World Sleep Society, this annual event raises awareness about the vital role sleep plays in our overall health and well-being. The science is clear—quality sleep strengthens both body and mind, while poor sleep takes a …
Continue reading Rest, Recharge, Repeat: 31 Daily Actions for Better Sleep
If you are like me, the thought of the alarm clock ringing for the first day of school is becoming very unpleasant. You've enjoyed the summer vacation, you've caught up with friends and family and even binged most things on your Netflix list.. and right about now your sleep hygiene is pretty much broken! EVERYTHING …
For the past two school years, my high school health students have spent an entire class period tie-dyeing pillowcases. It’s fun and memorable and it totally connects to our curriculum. During the Sleep Unit, we learn how daily exposure to natural light helps regulate our sleep/wake cycles. Giving my students the opportunity to get outside …
For those prone to seasonal affective disorder, a shift in the sleep cycle can impact energy levels. Ben Akiba/E+ via Getty Images Lina Begdache, Binghamton University, State University of New York The annual pattern of winter depression and melancholy – better known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD – suggests a strong link between your …
The key to having a good day, one where you hit (most) of your goals and are at your best for yourself and others is having an effective morning routine. While I envy those who exercise first thing in the morning, journal in a coffee shop, and make bullet-lists of things to achieve, I think …
Esports players are consistently in front of a screen, oftentimes for long durations. I know when I was little my parents always said, “Don’t sit that close to the TV!” In my undergraduate studies I have had the pleasure of taking a class called Introduction to Esports taught by Dr. Seth Jenny. In this class …
Continue reading The Relation Between Esports/Gaming and Increased Sleep Disturbances
The coronavirus 'stay at home' situation in which we find ourselves is the perfect recipe to ruin a good nights sleep. Currently forced upon us is increased anxiety and worry, increased isolation, a change in regular routine, and an increase in screen time as we navigate 'remote learning' and utilize Face Time, Zoom, House Party …
World Sleep Day 2020 occurs on Friday March 13th and is the 13th annual celebration of sleep and raising awareness of the health and societal value of getting sufficient sleep. Sleep medicine professionals, researchers and teachers alike face the same beliefs that sleep is not important enough in personal health and well-being to be a …
Welcome to the inaugural Student Voices blog post from one of my sophomore students. When it comes to attending to the health skill of advocacy, I use YRBS data to allow my students to tailor their message to a health concern that affects them and/or their peers. One of the advocacy assignments asks students to …
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