Find out why that one terrible night of sleep may be more normal than you think and what symptoms might indicate a sleep disorder. In the first episode of our two-part deep dive into sleep health, Dr. Eve Glazier sits down with UCLA sleep expert Dr. Ravi Aysola to explore the science of sleep, why it is so critical, and how it impacts our physical and mental health.

To illustrate just why good sleep is so vital to our overall health and well-being, Dr. Aysola and Dr. Glazier discuss what your brain and body are really doing when you sleep. Together, they describe the importance of each of the four stages of sleep and how sleep patterns can shift throughout different phases of life.

The doctors break down some of the more common sleep disorders and stresses why chronic sleep problems should be taken seriously, detailing their potential negative impact on heart health, mood, blood pressure, and even memory.

If all of this sounds like a nightmare in the making, don't fret. Dr. Aysola shares the four simple rules that he says can transform your sleep–none of which requires a tracker. He also throws in a few tips on how we can stop sabotaging ourselves and find easier ways to rest peacefully.

Still have burning questions about sleep that keep you up at night? Tune in to Part 2 where Dr. Aysola takes on a rapid Q&A, that covers everything from doomscrolling to insomnia.

🎧 Listen here.

Host Dr. Eve Glazier

Executive Producers Annie Krasnow Michael Burke Suzanne Koudsi Walker

Producers Niki Miller Jessica Alabastro

Creative Producer Kanza Shaheen

Associate Producer Jennifer Feld

Technical Directors Adrian Cardoso Andrew Stocks

Editor Tony Sweet

Recorded at Canella Media

Special Thanks To our expert guests and the incredible staff across UCLA Health who make this podcast possible. A special thank you to Johnese Spisso, President of UCLA Health and CEO of the UCLA Hospital System, for her visionary leadership and support. We are also grateful to the patients and families whose stories inspire our work every day.

Produced by: UCLA Health Communications & Marketing For More Information Visit: ⁠https://www.uclahealth.org/podcasts⁠

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.