Rocking like a baby promotes better sleep in adults
We know babies benefit from being rocked to sleep - now a study suggests it helps adults sleep better too.
Researchers from the University of Geneva built a special bed that rocked gently throughout the night. They tested it on 18 young adults and found they woke up fewer times and slept more deeply than on a normal bed. Scientists said the rocking motion resulted in a longer period of slow brainwaves which caused deep sleep, and improved their memory.
The volunteers spent three nights at a sleep laboratory in Geneva: one to get them used to sleeping there, one on a rocking bed and the other on the same bed, but in a still position. Electrodes recorded their brainwaves, and found that the period of deep sleep was extended by rocking.
Also at Science News.
Whole-Night Continuous Rocking Entrains Spontaneous Neural Oscillations with Benefits for Sleep and Memory (open, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.12.028) (DX)
Rocking Promotes Sleep in Mice through Rhythmic Stimulation of the Vestibular System (open, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.12.007) (DX)
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday January 28 2019, @02:31AM (2 children)
I *still* sleep on a waterbed from the 1960s. Yes, I'm that old. At my age, it's a royal pain in the A** to get in and out of, but I can't even sleep on a regular mattress anymore. Its like sleeping on the floor.
Get a full-motion waterbed. The mattress, liner and heater combined are a lot cheaper than any conventional mattress, and you can make a frame out of 2x10s and plywood from the lumber store. The plastic smell of a new mattress goes away pretty quick, and put a blanket under the bottom sheet -- it helps. Don't use a fitted sheet. Two top sheets work best. Just tuck the bottom one between the mattress and the frame.
The best part -- turn the heater down and you won't need air conditioning in summer. The bed keeps you cool. And the slightest motion rocks you. All. Night. Long.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday January 28 2019, @08:30AM (1 child)
Better off sleeping on the floor. You won't have a bent back with lower back pain.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday January 28 2019, @03:15PM
Back pain? Bent back? Nope. Not sure where you get your information -- sales people maybe? My back is fine. 40 years on a water bed and no problems at all.