- Emme and Phil Aronson
- Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar
- Rona Berg
- Annie Bond
- Dr. Michael Breus
- Joan Collins
- Stephen Covey
- Nancy Davis
- Oz Garcia
- Mariel Hemingway
- Dr. Mark Hyman
- Charla Krupp
- Loretta LaRoche
- Jeanne Martinet
- Douglas J. Mason/Michael L. Kohn
- Nancy Amanda Redd
- Tonya Reiman
- Dr. Michael Roizen
- Dr. Edward Schneider
- Suzanne Somers
- Jessica Weiner
- Montel Williams
Review of 'Beauty Sleep'
by Mary Kearl, Special to AOL Coaches
Like many Americans, you probably make a healthy lifestyle a priority in your daily life. What Dr. Michael Breus -- a clinical psychologist with a specialty in sleep disorders and neuropsychological testing -- hopes is that you start making a good night's sleep your top health priority. Dr. Breus demonstrates that his experience from years of advising patients combined with recent research have shown that sleep problems deserve real health consideration. In his book, 'Beauty Sleep: Look Younger, Lose Weight, and Feel Great Through Better Sleep,' Dr. Breus addresses why these problems exist in the first place and gets to the root of their causes. He is committed to helping you find a real sleep solution, and is clear to point out that he does not want to simply prescribe a "pill-popping" treatment. You may already be familiar with Dr. Breus' healthy sleep expertise; his tips are shown on in-flight videos and CNN's Airport Network, he contributes regularly to WedMd.com, and his audio relaxation CD is a part of the Sleep AdvantageŽ program at Crown Plaza Hotels. Following up these successes, Dr. Breus packed much of his sleep wisdom into "Beauty Sleep."
Certainly not for the lazy, the book aims to bring life back to the tired. His book offers an alternative to the average quick-fix sleep aid, with guidelines for readers to make "subtle modifications over time that are practical and reasonable." The result is a guide that is a strong medical resource on sleep and how it affects everything in your life -- from waistlines and quality of exercise, to wrinkles, puffy eyes, and sex lives -- but don't worry, it's comfortably easy to read. Readers will also learn about the "six thieves of sleep" and how to conquer them by breaking bad habits. By the end of the first half of the book, you'll be well-equipped with all the sleep knowledge necessary to rise to the 4-week challenge of the second half of the book.
Dr. Breus designed this 28-day (and night) plan of action to provide daily focuses -- or challenges -- for readers to incorporate into their new routine and provide them with a lifetime of improved sleep. You begin by determining your sleep number, the optimal number of hours to sleep and nap in relation to your corresponding bedtime. But it's not all a snooze. Dr. Breus expects those who accept his program to be disciplined, willing to learn sleep vocabulary words, take several quizzes (don't worry there are no wrong answers, and you get instant results and sleep remedies), and record daily sleep diary entries.
The payoffs? "I've got the prescription for rejuvenating your mind and body, improving your sex life, increasing your energy reserves and vitality, and helping you lose weight and keep it off," Dr. Breus says. An ample amount of suggestions of behavioral and relaxation techniques and tips to modify your sleep environment are provided. Dr. Breus also addresses the adjustments necessary for sleeping in chaotic or mobile locations, medications or supplements to discuss with a physician, and information on sleep aids and how to use them effectively. All in all, Dr. Breus really does offer faithful readers and adherents actionable guidelines to improve both health and sleep satisfaction.
