Can you guess something, according to recent studies, that most of us have been doing quite more than usual in this era of social distancing? Eating? That's probably true, but it isn't what I'm alluding to. The same goes for using Facebook and binge-watching shows on Netflix. While these may certainly apply, I'm talking about something we hardly report doing, at least in normal times. Give up? I speak of dreaming,  whereby a series of ideas, emotions, images, and sensations occur involuntarily in the mind during the REM phase of sleep. Sometimes the dreams are positive, sometimes they're negative, and sometimes they make absolutely no sense -- and that's if we can remember them vividly enough to make such a characterization once we wake up! As it turns out, the stress and anxiety precipitated by the pandemic are behind this high incidence of dreaming, not to mention an increased prevalence of insomnia. We use dreams to cope with intense emotions,...

There's no denying that sleep is essential for good health and well-being. Unfortunately, our ever-increasing load of responsibilities -- from work and kids to cooking and laundry -- leaves us little time for shuteye. On the whole, though, people enjoy sleeping and feel more energized after getting a sufficient amount of it. Here are a few fun facts about sleep from the National Sleep Foundation: Exercising regularly makes it easier to fall asleep and contributes to sounder sleep. However, exercising sporadically or right before going to bed will make falling asleep more challenging. Man is the only mammal that willingly delays sleep Divorced, widowed and separated people report more insomnia Newborns sleep a total of 14 to 17 hours a day on an irregular schedule with periods of one to three hours spent awake Most healthy adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night. However, some individuals are capable of functioning without drowsiness or sleepiness after as little...