“The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time” by Arianna Huffington

My husband introduced himself and his daughters, Ellie and Violet, as professional sleepers. Serious, they sleep so well and so long that if someone does not wake them up they could sleep all day. I, however, am a terrible sleeper. And, I know exactly why, because I do everything wrong. I watch movies on my laptop in bed. I drink white wine and popcorn in bed. And in the middle of the night, when I still can’t sleep, I play Words With Friends with people in different countries who are awake. I find myself sleep-deprived on a weekly basis, but I am not alone. We are country of people who pride ourselves on the ability to function on a minimal amount of snooze time. We celebrate the fact we are running on empty, and in “The Sleep Revolution,” Arianna Huffington reports it is only getting worse because of the way technology comes to bed with us. Huffington recounts the time in 2007 when she collapsed at her desk, injured her jaw, and woke up in a pool of blood – all thanks to her own exhaustion. This experience made her realize that she had to make some changes in her life, and that the nightly four hours of sleep she was getting were no longer sufficient. “The Sleep Revolution” is a book that weaves together Huffington’s personal story, with scientific research and analysis, and new innovations in helping people sleep. She not only details the health benefits of sleep but also highlights stories about increased productivity and performance for those who sleep more. For example, in 2006 Northwestern University’s football coach had his players wear sleep sensors and instituted a mandatory naptime before afternoon games. My Wildcats finished 10-3 that year, a great season. Other universities have created nap rooms for students to reserve through out their academic day. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady goes to bed at 8:30 P.M., and refuses to hide that ritual but rather wears it as a badge of honor as a testament to his longevity on the field. “The Sleep Revolution” is a fascinating and inspiring book, and a good read for peaceful and fitful sleepers alike. To purchase this book on Amazon click here.