#114 - Matthew Walker Changes His Stance on Blue Screenlight + More!
Professor Matthew Walker’s bestseller - Why We Sleep - and his multitude of subsequent podcasts have massively helped to get millions of people around the world to realise the importance of sleep.
Yet there have also been critics of the popular Why We Sleep text.
I did buy Why We Sleep - but have not read it (it was gifted to a student as a Kris Kringle present last year).
But I was aware that when it came to the topic of blue screenlight - Matt cites a Harvard University study to support the idea that the blue light from screens has a host of effects on us humans.
In contrast, I feel like I’ve been taking crazy pills.
As much as the Harvard study is great - they found that it took a whole 9.8 minutes longer to fall asleep after reading from an eBook compared to a printed book.
That ain’t much.
Nevertheless, the Harvard study gets spruiked here, there and everywhere.
But a question from a WINK Member (thank you Eidn) led to the discovery of a podcast (thank you Rachael) where Matthew Walker changes his opinion on blue screenlight.
We’ve included a snippet of this podcast here, including our commentary on the podcast. Click on the image below to listen to it - and if that doesn’t work, then try clicking here.
I also sat down with another WINK Sleep member - Dr Nishi Bhopal. Nishi has been doing some fantastic educational videos about sleep, and I highly recommend having a squizz (that means have a look).
Speaking of which, I sat down with Nishi to chat about this very issue about technology and sleep - including the research we’ve done looking at screenlight.
Hopefully this time clicking on the image below works for you … really? Is there something wrong with your finger? Try tapping again … Maybe tap harder … seriously? Maybe try another finger … alright then … here’s the link.
World Sleep 2022
As I’m writing this blog, one of the biggest sleep conferences in the world is happening in Rome (that’s in Italy). And yes, it’s called Worldsleep.
This is one of the first times sleep researchers are getting together again, face to face, to learn about the newest sleep science. If you’re there, we’d love to hear what you thought of it?
Sadly, I was unable to make it this time. Even though I was one of the Keynote Speakers.
Nevertheless, I’ve recorded not only my Keynote Presentation, but also my talk in the Pediatric Behavioural Workshop and a Symposium Talk about a study we performed with the cool baby sleep tech company, Nanit.
These talks can be found by logging into the WINK Sleep Member’s Area (I realise your fingers don’t work, so here’s the link) - and a preview of the talks:
Pediatric Behavioural Workshop - Circadian Rhythm Disorders (Sat March 12th 2022)
Keynote Presentation - Treating Insomnia in School Kids: How Does It Work? (Tues March 15th 2022)
Symposium Presentation - The impact of COVID-19 on infant sleep and screen time, parent sleep and well-being. (Wed March 16th 2022).
If you couldn’t make it to World Sleep, at least you can see a range of the types of talks available … that is if you become a WINK Member. You’ll also get free entry to our 3rd online sleep conference themed ‘Tech 4 Sleep’ (see more here).
And finally, it’s World Sleep Day on Friday March 18th. Wherever you are in the world, raise awareness of the importance of sleep. Here’s some of the things coming up from us WINKers (ooh, gotta make sure we spell that right …):
I’ll be talking with paramedic Melissa Rose about … sleep … on her podcast aptly named “The Paramedic Podcast”. Check it out on Spotify.
I’ll be talking about Teen Sleep to a bunch of parents connected to the Jamie Shannon - The Coach for Teens.
‘We’ - that’s me and my son EJ - will be continuing to post world sleep facts and recipes on social media. Here’s last Friday’s post as an example …
So wherever you are in the world, I hope you have a week of solid rest. I hope you become a little more aware of your own sleep. That you actually move ‘sleep’ just that little bit higher on your list this week.
And this is where I usually put some punchy ending but I guess I'm all copy-writed-out …
Prof MG
Member’s Spotlight
This week we’d like to introduce you to two of our WINK Sleep Members. First, is Lisa Maltman from Sydney, Australia … who was literally our first ever member of WINK Sleep. Yep, she took the plunge, believing there was something going on here. Second, if Vick Dasani from Indonesia - who is an absolute machine when it comes to smashing through our WINK Sleep Courses. I wish I could develop them as quick as he chews through them.
Anyway, enough from me, more from them …
LISA MALTMAN
What is the biggest thing that you get from the WINK Membership?
Official PD via the brilliant courses, as well as ongoing leadership, PD and sense of community.
What are the sleep services you offer - and how can people get in touch with you?
Sleep health presentations and workshops in corporations, schools and community. The majority of my work is running the Sleep for Better, Health, Resilience and Performance program in schools, for students, staff and parents. In proactive schools, I also provide more of a consultative approach with the wellbeing team to support a whole-school approach to improving sleep health within their school.
VICK DASANI
What is the biggest thing that you get from the WINK Membership?
The biggest thing I get from WINK is credible research materials, easy to understand courses which made the entire experience learning from WINK extremely pleasant!
What are the sleep services you offer - and how can people get in touch with you?
At the moment I provide Sleep Education webinars for Adults / Parents with Teens. I also provide Sleep Recovery Program for 6 Weeks for Adults. Both under the banner of White Noise (@whitenoise.id). I can be reached through my instagram @vickdasani