General

Lack of sleep influences moral decisions

30. March 2015 von Schlafexperte Prof. Dr. med. h.c. Günther W. Amann-Jennson Leave a Comment

There are a lot of reasons to sleep sufficiently and avoid an accumulated sleep debt. The findings of an American study published in the journal “Sleep” show an important reason for that, especially for people in responsible positions who have to make decisions accordingly. Besides previous knowledge, a lack of sleep reduces the ability to take emotions into consideration, according to the study. These findings especially concern overstressed people who sleep too less because of their profession and still have to make important decisions.

For their study, the scientists confronted 26 people with three confliction situations in which they had to evaluate different actions – one time well rested, one time after 53 hours of sleep deprivation. The situations brought the participants in different predicaments, like, should they let one person die to save the life of other people. The result: although the participants would not have acted less morally after sleep deprivation, it took them two seconds longer to answer morally complex questions. Questions without any moral component showed no delay. Under sleep deprivation, the participants showed slightly different changes in regard to their estimation of a certain situation. Especially eye-catching were the changes with people who did poorly in previous emotional intelligence tests. The scientists assume, that persons with a lower emotional competence are especially vulnerable to the consequences of sleep deprivation.

The study is importantinsofar , because, the participants were directly confronted with confliction situations. From experience, emotional decisions are the most difficult situations we human beings can be in. Especially affected are people with too less sleep and still have to make important decisions. They might find it hard to come to a right decision.

Simply sleep-away your pain in the back

30. March 2015 von Schlafexperte Prof. Dr. med. h.c. Günther W. Amann-Jennson Leave a Comment

A flexible, freely suspended slat-frame is absolutely essential for the regeneration of the back and the spine. Only therewith you will reach a gentle traction of the spine during the night. Here, the vertebral bodies get stretched from 1.0 to 1.5 mm and the intervertebral discs automatically and immediately have more room and therefore can regenerate in an optimal way.

Simply Said: Just sleep-away your back-pain!

This makes the right choice of your sleeping system as well for your sleeping quality as for the regeneration of the body – especially for the spine, the intervertebral discs and the musculature – a very important decision. A complete sleeping-system for a healthy and Bioenergetic Sleep® preferably consists of a double sided, flexible and freely suspended slat fame, a thin natural rubber mattress, a grounded wool-silver-overlay, covers filled with wool and an anatomically-orthopaedically correct pillow.

With its comprehensive active principles, the Bioenergetic® Sleep-Healthy-Concept is more than the sum of its single parts and components!

The basic requirements for healthy sleeping

Although sleep is belonging to the human “instinctive action”, in our epoch it is needing special elementary preconditions so that the sleeping process is leading to the desired regeneration of body, mind and soul. Especially the anatomically-orthopaedically correct sleeping underlay that also ensures the correct bedding climate is from utmost importance. From the elementary biological point of view, one can say that you will not be able to have a recreational Bioenergetic Sleep® should the sleeping system not be able to meet all the holistic expectations for a healthy sleep.

The 10 must-criteria of the Bioenergetic® Sleep-Healthy-Concept

The sleeping underlay and sleep-setting are having a main influence on the ongoing of the whole sleep and regeneration from a holistic – and thereby as well from sleep-biological as sleep-medical point of view. During sleep, the body is having completely different inner and outer requirements than during the daytime. During deep-sleep and REM-sleep the musculature is relaxing. From the orthopaedical point of view, an active support of the sleeping system is absolutely essentially, out of this reason. In addition to that, sleep disturbing outer influences like electromagnetic pollution, noise, light stimuli, smells etc. are having a much deeper effect during sleeping as while being awake and active. During daytime we are in the position to compensate noise up to 80 decibel, in the nighttime our sleep already gets disturbed by 20 decibel. In sum, we humans are an “open system” to our near and distant environment that is in constant interaction with all influences. On the basis of the meanwhile 10 Must-Criteria for healthy, recreative and Bioenergetic Sleep® you can check your current sleeping system:

A holistic oriented sleep-healthy-concept is assuming a bedroom, that is mainly adjusted to sleep, as quiet as possible, easy to black out, is having an optimal bedroom climate (from 16 to 18 °Celsius, from 40 to 50 % humidity) and is furnished with natural and pollution free material.
The centerpiece of the bedroom is a holistic sleeping system that is working independently as well from body weight as body form and is completely corresponding with the anatomical-orthopaedical expectations to healthy laying. While laying, the spine has to maintain through support and relief the natural S-shaped form as in standing position.
This has to be ensured as well in dorsal as in lateral position.
A holistic sleeping-system is systematically built up in layers and ideally is built like a human being. The slat frame is corresponding to the skeleton and in particular to the spine of the human being and therefore cares for adjustment and support. The mattress is corresponding to the muscular-, adipose- and connective-tissue and can be perceived as connecting layer to the slat frame. Therefore, the mattress has a high point elasticity- and emollient function. The mattress overlay and the cover are corresponding to the skin of the human being and care for regulation of climate, humidity and warmth and are corresponding to the human metabolism, so to say. A Bioenergetic® Sleep-Healthy-Concept that is built up like the human body.
Preferably, a holistic sleeping system is made of natural, body-friendly, distressing and sleep-enhancing material.
A holistic sleeping system can be aired constantly, is easy-care and hygienic because it is built up in layers. The consequent use of biologic active sheep wool is supporting a dry-warm bedding climate. Out of this reason, microorganisms (dust mites) get deprived from their most important basis of existence – humidity.
A holistic sleeping system is metal-free. By that, unwanted distortions of the natural earth magnetic field as well as coupling on to the electric and electro-magnetic field are avoided.
A holistic sleeping system is having a varied choice of medical-orthopedical pillows that are adjusted to the sleeping system. The proper pillow is often a neglected requirement for a good, recreational and above all Bioenergetic® sleep.
A holistic sleeping system is put into a massive, metal-free, completely open bed frame with a natural finish treatment (oiled and waxed).
A holistic sleeping system cares by bio-physical neutralization of the interference fields for protection against electromagnetic pollution and disturbances of constant fields (biology fault zone). At the same time, an energization of the body with biological static bio-magnetic fields during sleep is very beneficial. By that, the sleeping quality is measurably improving.

By means of these criteria you are able to check and evaluate your personal sleeping situation. In case you really want to change something and improve your sleeping quality, optimization of the sleeping place has highest priority. When you follow these criteria, you will immediately have biggest leverage effect, too.

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The course of sleeping under the aspect of the single sleeping phases

27. March 2015 von Schlafexperte Prof. Dr. med. h.c. Günther W. Amann-Jennson Leave a Comment

During the first third of the night we are having more phases of deep sleep (stage 4), during the second and third third of the night more REM-phases. This is the reason, why the sleep before midnight is called “the golden sleep”, because before the first REM-sleep it is the deepest and most recreative one. The deep sleep is necessary for the regeneration of the body, the REM-sleep for the regeneration of the psych. In general, the REM-phases have a very important function for a healthy, recreational sleep. This can be gathered from scientific findings.

If you prevent persons from getting into REM-sleep they will have massive problems in finding a solution for complex and new challenges in comparison with test persons with uninterrupted REM-phases. This too is a plausible cause why one should avoid the application of sleeping pills as far as possible, because, these sedatives suppress amongst other things brain activities in the beta range (13-30 Hz) – and these are exactly the frequencies occurring and measurable during REM-sleep. Scientific findings are also pointing to the fact that REM-phases are supporting important learn- and saving-processes of information from the day and learning contents.

A healthy, restful and regulative sleep can be seen in four or five periodically proceeding sleeping cycles. It is important, that all stages are reached in the proper reference to each other. Otherwise, the production of the hormones is not running synchronically. Above all, the stress hormone cortisol is playing an important role. People who are exposed to or already suffering under burn out are having measurable modifications. Additionaly, this is promoting mental disorders and depressions.

Help for sleep-cheated managers

27. March 2015 von Schlafexperte Prof. Dr. med. h.c. Günther W. Amann-Jennson Leave a Comment

Healthy sleeping supports performance and career

The one who sleeps well and sufficiently is healthier and is more productive – actually a platitude. But still, many managers are suffering under a chronical lack of sleep and tiredness. Frequent trips aboard, connected with jet-lag, high working- and deadline-pressure and being available almost 24 hours a day care for a distinctive sleep debt. And this is leading to stress symptoms, back pain and the danger of burn out.

More and more often scientific studies prove the consequences of this chronical tiredness: manager with too less or bad sleep are more irritated, less focused, clearly make more mistakes and more often make wrong decisions than well rested ones. Furthermore, they more often suffer under heart diseases and tend to back pain and depressions besides susceptibility to stress.

When having a lack of sleep, the entire hormonal balance gets mixed up, since the release of important hormones like melatonin, cortisol, leptin or prolactin is suppressed. Out of this reason, the immune system is constantly weakened and the metabolism disturbed which in turn may lead to overweight.

In addition to that, the aging process is happening rather more rapidly. Meanwhile, this whole development is having an effect on to the costs of enterprises and insurances. Because, people who have a bad sleep are sick more often.

It is assumed that a group of managers affected by a chronical lack of sleep is imposing costs three times higher than well rested executives. The personal price that tired managers are paying is even higher, because, the loss of health, vitality and of high spirits is finally threatening the own career, too.

The One Who Sleeps Better is Working More Efficiently

Long since, managers have learnt from top athletes that the performance is depending on inner biological rhythms. We are able to provide a better strength- or thinking-performance at certain times, depending on how our inner clock is working. Most people are having their highest performance between 10.00 and 12.00 a.m.. At this time, they are working concentrated and are thinking creatively. Towards lunchtime up until 3 p.m. the performance curve is leveling off, before the next peak is arising between 4.00 and 8.00 p.m.. But this is very strongly depending on our sleep behaviour. Out of my long-term experience as sleeping expert and sleeping coach, I know, that the one who is sleeping in rhythm is in any case more productive and more efficient.

Good Sleep Supports Intelligence and Creativity

People, who are sleeping sufficiently and healthy are doing a lot of “brain-work” during sleeping – and this on the highest level. Because, in their subconscious they are better processing their daily impressions. By that, experiences and knowledge gets sustainably anchored. This as well enhances intelligence and creativity as improves memory. I can only advise managers, who are preparing a lecture or an important meeting for the next day, to go over their manuscript or agenda before going to sleep, again. Because during sleep, our brain is processing the contents.

Healthy Sleep Needs Fundamental Aspects

Besides a sufficient amount of sleep, you will need a bed and sleep surroundings that is fulfilling all expectations to be able to have a sound and recreational sleep. Like a top athlete is needing a good equipment, for good sleep you will be needing a good sleeping underlay. An orthopedic high-quality slat-frame, a thereupon aligned natural rubber mattress, the proper cover as well as pillow – all made from high-quality, natural and pollution-free materials, belong to that. Sheep wool has proved itself to be the best used material for the changing seasonal climate. Furthermore, the correct room climate is mandatory for healthy sleep: perfect are 16 – 18 degrees Celsius as well as a humidity of at least 40 per cents. On your sleeping place you should avoid noise, light stimuli and electromagnetic pollution as far as possible.

Sleeping good and sufficiently can be learned

Actually, healthy sleeping would neither need special methods nor a strategy. But, due to our way of living and job-related stress this has changed massively during the last years. To consciously and purposefully optimize your sleep a participation of an expert or sleeping coach is more than useful. Because, when you are dealing with the basics of sleep you will get to know what is taking away your sleep which in turn makes it possible to work against that. Clearly, the worst way is to take pills, which are even intensifying your chronical tiredness.

The phases of sleep

26. March 2015 von Schlafexperte Prof. Dr. med. h.c. Günther W. Amann-Jennson Leave a Comment

We distinguish four different phases of sleep, starting with the first light sleeping phase (stage 1) up to the fourth (stage 4), the so-called deep sleep. During the first 45 minutes of sleep the brain constantly gets slower, it is falling deeper and deeper and the eyes of the sleeping person stay relaxed. This also changes the frequencies and electrical activities of the brain from 8 to 10 Hertz (oscillation per second) to 0.5 Hertz during deep sleep. Than the process gets turned around, though the sleeper shortly stays in the first of normally five dream-(REM-)sleeping phases that only last a couple of minutes. This cycle from phase 1 to REM (rapid-eye-movement)-sleep is repeated every 90 minutes. During one night, a healthy sleeper is going through four or five of such cycles.

The sleeping-process under the aspect of the single sleeping phases

During the first half of the night we are having more deep sleep, during the second half of the night more REM-phases. Out of this reason, the sleep before midnight is called “the golden sleep”, because it is deepest and most regenerative before the first REM-phase. The deep sleep is important for the regeneration of the body, the REM-sleep for the regeneration of the psych. This can be gathered from scientific findings. Because, when someone gets prevented from falling into REM-sleep, the person will have heavy problems in finding a solution for complicated and new challenges compared to a person with uninterrupted REM-sleep. This also is a plausible reason why one should do without so called sleeping pills, if possible. These sedatives prevent from brain wave activity in beta wave range (13 – 30 Hz). But these are exactly the frequencies that occur and are measurable during REM-sleep. Scientific findings made very clear that REM-sleep is important for all learn- and save-processes during the day, and especially also during the night.

Healthy sleep – a 90 % health-factor?

26. March 2015 von Schlafexperte Prof. Dr. med. h.c. Günther W. Amann-Jennson Leave a Comment

The most important precondition for a fulfilled, successful life is and stays your overall health. In turn, the most important precondition for your overall health and your well-being is the healthy, restful and Bioenergetic® sleep.

It is no new message that the nighttime sleep has a big influence on our daily life, this is proven by hundreds of studies. But, the influence is even bigger than it was assumed from the scientific point of view. That means, that every human being that wants to lead a healthy life, primarily has to optimize his sleep! This gets fully confirmed by sleep science and sleep medicine.

For example, one of the most prominent sleep scientist and sleep medic, namely Prof. William C. Dement, MD PhD, Stanford University, CA, summarized in 1999: “After 40 years of sleep science I have found no other fact that is having a greater influence on our health and well-being than sleep.” Meanwhile Prof. Dement has done some touching up and even the prestigious New York Times found this worth a headline: “Our health is depending to more than 90 % on healthy sleep!” And practice clearly shows: there is no healthy human being with bad sleep and no ill human being that is having a good and restful sleep from the biological point of view.

So, to really prevent from numerous health disturbances of body, mind and soul above all an optimization of sleep conform to nature is necessary. But, this needs the readiness of every single, health conscious person. Particularly one who wants to do something with his life or is already doing something with his life is concerned by that. Because, for doing something with your life, you need health, vitality, power and creativity. And the supporting pillar for all these things in turn is healthy, restful sleep.