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All talks by Matt Walker
17 talks·17 with video·3 years
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Have you been having weird dreams lately? For many people, that's just one of the ways the COVID-19 pandemic has altered their sleeping habits, says sleep scientist Matt Walker. From when to how much to how well we're sleeping, this pandemic may have shaken up bedtime for good.
Having trouble falling asleep -- or staying asleep? Alcohol, sleeping pills or drugs like cannabis may help you in the short term, but they're only a quick fix, says sleep scientist Matt Walker. There is, however, one proven way to treat your insomnia and help you get the zzz's you need.
Did you know that not getting enough sleep can actually make you hungrier? According to sleep scientist Matt Walker, the relationship between what you eat and your sleep is a two-way street. Here's why understanding it can help improve your overall health.
Melatonin is the hormone that tells our brains and bodies it's time to sleep. But if you think melatonin supplements will significantly improve your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep, you may have been misled. Sleep scientist Matt Walker shares how this "hormone of darkness" really works.
When you fall asleep and start dreaming, you're actually doing very important work. According to sleep scientist Matt Walker, dreams act like a form of "overnight therapy." In fact, your dreams may even boost your ability to solve problems and process tough emotions that affect your waking life.
Afternoon naps are refreshing -- but could they be messing up our sleep cycles? Sleep scientist Matt Walker reveals the pros and cons of napping, plus tips on how to get the most out of your next short snooze.
Want a healthier love life? Get better sleep, says sleep scientist Matt Walker. In this episode, he explains how getting more quality shut-eye can boost fertility and vitality -- plus how sex can even improve your sleep.
For places that observe daylight saving time, gaining an hour of sleep every November -- or losing an hour every March -- doesn't just affect how well-rested (or caffeinated) people are. The effects of the semi-annual time change are far-reaching, drastically changing stroke and car accident rates, stock prices and more! Sleep scientist Matt Walker shares the surprising consequences of DST, and what they can teach us about improving our own sleep health.
Want to not only fall asleep quickly but also stay asleep longer? Sleep scientist Matt Walker explains how your room temperature, lighting and other easy-to-fix factors can set the stage for a better night's rest.
You know you need to get enough sleep, but the question remains: How much is enough? Sleep scientist Matt Walker tells us the recommended amount for adults and explains why it's necessary for your long-term health.
One of the best things that you can do to boost your immune system is head to bed, says sleep scientist Matt Walker. It can even make your flu shot more effective!
It's not just your imagination -- you're more irritable when you're low on zzzzs. Sleep scientist Matt Walker explains how our nightly slumber affects the emotional centers in our brains, and why we can think of sleep as first aid for our feelings.
Does not getting enough sleep lead to Alzheimer's disease? Sleep scientist Matt Walker explains the relationship between the two -- and how researchers are exploring how to use sleep to decrease our chances of developing this condition.
Caffeine wakes you up, and alcohol makes you nod off, right? It's not that simple. Sleep scientist Matt Walker takes us into the eye-opening ways that these drinks affect the quantity and quality of our sleep.
Did you know you go on a journey every night after you close your eyes? Sleep scientist Matt Walker breaks down the difference between REM (Rapid-Eye Movement) and non-REM sleep, what occurs during each stage of sleep -- and why it's important to get enough of both.
A good night's sleep has perhaps never been more important. Sharing wisdom and debunking myths, sleep scientist Matt Walker discusses the impact of sleep on mind and body -- from unleashing your creative powers to boosting your memory and immune health -- and details practices you can start (and stop) doing tonight to get some rest. (This virtual conversation is part of the TED Connects series, hosted by head of TED Chris Anderson and current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers. Recorded April 1, 2020)
Sleep is your life-support system and Mother Nature's best effort yet at immortality, says sleep scientist Matt Walker. In this deep dive into the science of slumber, Walker shares the wonderfully good things that happen when you get sleep -- and the alarmingly bad things that happen when you don't, for both your brain and body. Learn more about sleep's impact on your learning, memory, immune system and even your genetic code -- as well as some helpful tips for getting some shut-eye.