Those having trouble with their nightly sleep can attribute a catalog of ways it can affect them during the day. Whether simply tired and weary-eyed or suffering from more severe maladies, the effects of poor sleep can make even menial tasks harder to execute. Interpersonal relations, work success, athletic performance, and self-happiness can all be at risk. (If you are personally experiencing sleep problems, it is advised to seek the opinion of a medical professional).
The topic of sleep is covered by a lot of authors. These texts range from scientific to anecdotal, rigorous to humorous, yet all aim to help readers understand how and why the body needs sleep, and introduces some steps to guide readers on a path to better slumbers. When looking at the literature available, it can be difficult to figure out which text to choose. We looked at some of the more popular offerings to see how they stand out:
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How We Picked
Choosing a book can feel like a big commitment. Reading isn’t like picking a TV show to watch; it can take a long time just to get to the point where a reader realizes they made the wrong choice. We’ve evaluated these books with that in mind by looking at some key categories:
Tone
The tone of any given book can speak to different readerships with varying levels of effectiveness. Some people seeking out information on sleep will be looking for statistical analysis, scientific discourse, and rigorously thorough exploration of different research findings.
This type of text is for people who would like to chew on data themselves and come to conclusions on their own. Other authors use more personal anecdotes and speak to their own experiences, using science as a tool to portray their unique understanding. This type of book can include a bit more humor and may be an easier read for some customers.
Solutions
Almost all of the leading sleep books cover the detriments of not getting enough sleep. However, not all cover possible solutions for readers to endeavor upon to fix their sleep habits. Of the texts that do, there are two main ways they typically provide support.
Some texts have self-tests that can help a reader figure out what is actually going on between dusk and dawn. These results can guide readers to find different solutions that fit their needs. Other texts are more explicit in their offer of possible solutions; some even have weeklong or two-week long plans that are meant to stabilize a sleep routine.
Perspective
The perspective of the authors of most of these texts typically depends on their personal experience. Some are directors of sleep centers at prestigious universities. These individuals use their clinical research experience and enlist the aid of cutting edge technology and discourse to inform their texts.
However, these are not always the most digestible pieces of literature. Authors who are speaking more from a personal perspective, as in those who have struggled with sleep problems themselves, may offer a more empathic and solution-based approach. Their books may have less scientific nous but use a more approachable language.
Tips
Not sure which book about sleep is right for you? Take a look at the below tips to help make your decision making a bit easier:
- Have you already investigated the science of sleep?
- Several books have very important yet basic information about sleep and the science behind it.
- Those who have already done research or are familiar with many of the accepted tenets of understanding sleep may not find much new in these books.
- Are you trying to improve your own sleep?
- Those who are undergoing a moment of sleep instability may be looking to understand the science behind sleep. This can help them understand their own situation.
- Some who are struggling with sleep may want to hear from someone who has gone through similar circumstances and to find out how they did it. The nuts and bolts science may not be as important as the way it is communicated.
