Better Sleep Means Better Health

Sleep is an essential function of our lives. Sleep enables us to grow, it regulates our metabolism, and heart and lung functions, it solidifies our memories and clears toxins from the brain. Yet 35% of Americans are considered sleep deprived, getting fewer than seven hours of sleep a night. And nearly half of American adults suffer from sleep disorders like insomnia.

So how can we learn to sleep better and improve our physical and mental health? Dr. Ellen Lee, UC San Diego Assistant Professor of Psychology, discusses what happens when we sleep, common disorders like insomnia, how COVID-19 has impacted our sleep, and effective treatments for sleep issues.

Watch Sleep Better, Feel Better: How Sleep Affects Our Mental and Physical Health with Ellen Lee.

When Should You Seek Medical Care?

Knowing when to seek medical care can save your life but how can you tell if your complaint is best ignored or worth a trip to the doctor? Googling your symptoms can amplify concerns rather than ameliorate them but often common complaints are not a cause for worry.

This series features leaders in their field who address six common medical complaints, including blood pressure, palpitations, snoring, trouble urinating, skin lesions, and neck lumps.

Learn the signs that should raise concern and when it’s ok to relax, kick back, and focus on everyone else’s problems!

Browse more programs in Common Medical Complaints: When Should I Worry?