Apr 23 2024 65 mins
joyful. GUEST SERIES with: Professor Russell Foster
I have a great pleasure to welcome Professor Russel Foster, Head of the Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Director of the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute at the University of Oxford in this episode of Joyful.
In today's conversation, I ask Professor Foster about the importance of sleep and circadian rhythms for our well-being. We discuss the growing issue of sleep anxiety related to the ongoing social media craze of sleep optimisation and we talk about the role of sleep in our ability to regulate emotions and in creating happier lives for ourselves.
Professor Foster and his research group were the first to discover the third type of photoreceptor in the eye, namely the Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cell responsible for regulating the circadian system by light and revolutionizing our understanding of vision. He has dedicated his career to investigating circadian rhythmsand sleep, and translating his findings into improved health and wellbeing.
A prolific author, Professor Foster has written 300 scientific publications, co-authored several books on sleep and circadian neuroscience, and recently published a solo work, Life Time. In this newest book, he presents the science of the Body Clock and talks about how our approach and attitude to sleep impact our daily life.
I had a wonderful time speaking to Professor Foster. I am sure that you'll enjoy our conversation and get a lot of useful and interesting information out of it. It's time to be joyful.
Where to find Professor Russell Foster:
https://www.ndcn.ox.ac.uk/
https://www.scni.ox.ac.uk/
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:11 Professor Russell Foster
00:02:56 Research background, Cultural Changes in our Approach to Sleep
00:10:56 Addresing Individual Sleep Needs
00:12:57 Link Between Sleep and Circadian Rhythms, Afternoon Crashes
00:18:22 Genes and Other Factors Contributing to Our Sleep Patterns
00:21:28 The Role of Light, Looking at Screens Before Bedtime, Why 24 Hours
00:28:16 Larks and Night Owls, Night Shift Workers
00:34:44 Impact of Sleep on Emotional Wellbeing, Winter Blue, Seasonal Affective Disorders
00:43:02 Light therapy, Sunset Lamps - How To Use Light for Our Benefit?
00:45:30 Support Us
00:46:00 What Is a Good Night's Sleep, Truths and Myths About Sleep
00:57:11 Role of Temperature and Hormones in Sleep
01:03:40 Sleep and Happiness
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Thank you for listening.
Joyful. 🌻
Anastazja Adamczyk