Sleep Fragmentation and Negative Mood

The group with delayed bedtimes did showed a link with negative moods. However, when compared with the delayed bedtime group, the forced-to-wake group participants had shorter periods of deep, slow-wave sleep. The lack of sufficient slow-wave sleep showed a statistically significant association with a reduction in positive mood—suggesting that sleep fragmentation is especially detrimental to a person’s positive mood. The interrupted sleep also reduced energy levels as well as feelings of sympathy and friendliness. Researchers also said the study suggests that the effects of interrupted sleep on positive mood can be cumulative, because differences between the two groups showed up after the second night and continued the day after the third night of the study. “You can imagine the hard time people with chronic sleep disorders have after repeatedly not reaching deep sleep,” commented one of the researchers.

Sleep Fragmentation and Negative Mood

The group with delayed bedtimes did showed a link with negative moods. However, when compared with the delayed bedtime group, the forced-to-wake group participants had shorter periods of deep, slow-wave sleep. The lack of sufficient slow-wave sleep showed a statistically significant association with a reduction in positive mood—suggesting that sleep fragmentation is especially detrimental to a person’s positive mood. The interrupted sleep also reduced energy levels as well as feelings of sympathy and friendliness. Researchers also said the study suggests that the effects of interrupted sleep on positive mood can be cumulative, because differences between the two groups showed up after the second night and continued the day after the third night of the study. “You can imagine the hard time people with chronic sleep disorders have after repeatedly not reaching deep sleep,” commented one of the researchers.

Insomnia and Sleep Quality

Uninterrupted sleep for the amount of time your brain requires, gives you the opportunity to move through all the sleep stages to receive the amount of slow-wave sleep that is key to feeling restored when you awaken. Frequent sleep disruptions is a relatively common occurrence among new parents, health care personnel who are on-call, and individuals with insomnia. A common symptom of insomnia involves negative mood changes, although the biological reasons for this have been unclear. A study by researchers at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine decided to investigate the link between insomnia and a depressed mood. To do this, they brought three groups of healthy participants into the sleep lab for three nights. The results of the study were reported in the journal Sleep.

• The First group were allowed to sleep normally
• The Second group had their usual bedtime delayed
• The third group were awakened on purpose throughout the night

The Alpha Partner, 4

More questions I’ve received:

“Can two alphas ever partner successfully?”

(My brain’s opinion is certainly—as long as each is healthy and functional enough to compete with himself/herself only and never compete with each other—just collaborate with humor and genuine respect for each other’s innate giftedness.”

 

“Have you read Suzanne Venker’s book “The Alpha Female's Guide to Men and Marriage?”

 

(No, but I will look into that this week . . . see what she has to say and how that dovetails with my own observations and study . . . and then maybe I’ll write some more on this topic.)

The Alpha Partner, 3

More questions I’ve received:

“Can an alpha female ever manage being in a relationship when she is usually right and it’s obvious that her partner is making big mistakes?”

 

(Being right in your own mind is one thing, and, yes, it’s tough when you have a track record of usually being correct. However, your brain has no right to prevent another brain from trying their way or attempting that person to conform to your perspective. Freedom of thought is one of the few freedoms a human being really has—and a brain convinced against its will is of the same opinion still.)

 

“How can an alpha female partner with someone she loves and then sit back and watch them take a course of action she knows from experience will not work?”

 

(Every human being has the inalienable right to be unwise and to follow unfortunate courses of action. There will be consequences but an alpha female is not jury and judge. She can make a suggestion but then must be wise and healthy enough to have no agenda about whether or not the other person will take the suggestion. And she can take steps to protect herself if the course of action could negatively impact her financially—often a prenuptial agreement is wise.)

The Alpha Partner, 2

These are some of the questions I’ve received lately—which no doubt reflect current issues in our society—along with my initial response:

“Can an alpha female ever have a good marriage?”

 

(I should think so—and it will require skill and strategies.)

 

“Can an alpha female ever manage both a career and a rewarding marriage successfully?”

(Many do. If she wants both -- and both will require skills and strategies. Those needed to be “the boss” at work, however,  differ from the skills and strategies required at home because the environments are different.)

 

“Can an alpha female ever become subservient enough to keep peace in a relationship?”

(Subservient is never a desirable goal in any relationship. Honest discussion with the intent never to try to control another’s perspective—is.) More tomorrow.

The Alpha as Partner

As one person put it: Over the last fifty years women have become more powerful in the workplace—but the divorce rate has also risen. Interestingly, estimates are that 70% of divorce actions currently are initiated by females. The reason? I doubt anyone really knows. However, a contributing factor may be that an alpha female has had to learn to make decisions and take charge. Often in the work world she is “he “boss.” This pattern may not work so well in one’s personal life, however, which becomes a real dichotomy and challenge for many alpha females. How does one “be in charge during 10-hour days at work six days a week” and then suddenly “flip that coin at home?” It’s not easy, as many women who have partnered with an alpha male understand. And the kicker is, males are often attracted to alpha females in the dating world and then want something else once they marry. More tomorrow.