The Secret Life of Sleep - 9781582704685

Unlock the astonishing facts, myths, and benefits of one of the most endangered human resources—sleep.

Birds do it. Bees do it. Salamanders do it. Even round worms do it. To the best of our knowledge, all creatures display some form of sleep behavior, a regular time of quiet when they settle into familiar postures, lose awareness of the outside world, and rest.

Yet for many of us, rejuvenating sleep is as elusive as clean water and dark nights. More than 60 percent of Americans experience a sleep problem at least twice a week, and though experts recommend getting seven to nine hours of shut-eye each night, nearly a third of adults get only six hours or less. In response to this emerging endangered resource, award-winning author Kat Duff blends myth, history, science, culture, and story with a contagious curiosity to unveil the hidden and invaluable healing benefits of sleep.

Drawing on the latest scientific research, literature, personal experience, as well as cultural and spiritual traditions from around the globe, The Secret Life of Sleep will help us better understand what we’re losing before it’s too late.