Hundreds rally in New York City to protest starvation in Gaza
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Siege on Sweida, and anger after clashes in Iraq
Food and medicine levels are critically low in Sweida, Syria. Deadly clashes in Iraq have fuelled anger across the country. Wildfires rage in Turkey, Greece and Albania. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Ten killed in Turkey as forest fires rage in soaring heat This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan correspondent.
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Sleepless in summer? How rising temperatures are disrupting rest and how to fix it
As record-breaking summer temperatures continue to climb in the UAE, a good night's rest often becomes one of the first things to go. High night-time heat disrupts the body's natural cooling process, making it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep and reach the deep, restorative stages of slumber. Instead of drifting off, many find themselves tossing, turning and waking up feeling groggy – proof that when the nights are hot, the quality of rest takes a hit. Why sleep matters so much 'The two basic physiological processes of life are sleep and wakefulness,' Dr Stefna Sha, neurology specialist at Aster Clinic, Bur Dubai, tells The National. 'This explains why we humans spend around one-third of our lives sleeping. Yet despite its biological importance, modern society is chronically sleep deprived.' She describes sleep as 'the greatest biological mystery of all time' and says its functions extend far beyond rest. 'The main functions of sleep are immune regulation (helps you fight diseases), glucose tolerance (helps you fight diabetes), balance of hormonal levels (important to prevent diabetes, obesity, hypertension), gene expression, improvement of brain function (helps protect yourselves from dementia), thermoregulation and memory consolidation; in fact, sleep can rescue memories that are lost during wakefulness in daytime.' According to the Mayo Clinic, adults should aim for at least seven hours of rest per night, while teenagers between 13 and 18 need eight to 10. Yet a December 2024 study, Sleep Deprivation and Its Association with Physical and Mental Health Among Adults in the UAE, published in Europe PMC, found that more than 40 per cent of UAE adults report either not getting the recommended amount of rest or experiencing poor-quality sleep, even when the hours suffice. How heat makes it worse In the UAE, summer nights are hot and humid, conditions that can interfere with the body's natural ability to cool down before bed. 'Temperature plays a crucial role in sleep quality,' says Dr Sha. 'High core body temperature reduces both REM and NREM sleep. For each 10°C rise in temperature, total sleep duration decreased by 9.67 minutes. Summer heat elevates body temperature, often reducing sleep quality. High humidity makes cooling harder and degrades sleep.' This challenge isn't unique to the UAE, but local data shows how noticeable it is. Eight Sleep, a sleep technology company from the US, tracks behaviour across more than 30 global markets through its temperature-regulating Sleep Pod system, which adjusts cooling through the night. 'Our user data shows that UAE residents are among the top 10 globally who consistently set their Pod to the coldest temperature settings,' says Matteo Franceschetti, the company's co-founder and chief executive. 'This isn't surprising given the region's extreme climate, with record-breaking summer temperatures and high overnight heat that lingers well past sunset. While AC is common, it doesn't always deliver the precise, body-level cooling required for deep, uninterrupted sleep.' The company's findings also show that temperature (36 per cent), stress (48 per cent) and irregular schedules (32 per cent) are among the top disruptors for UAE residents. 'Across our 30-plus global markets, the UAE ranks in the bottom 25 per cent for total sleep duration and quality, underscoring sleep as a widespread issue residents face,' Franceschetti adds. The consequences of chronic rest loss Dr Sha warns that insufficient, poor-quality rest 'can silently wreak havoc on the body and mind". Chronic lack of sleep, she says, is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, obesity and dementia. 'Poor motivation, memory lapses and frequent microsleeps can lead to impaired academic and work performance,' she adds. 'Migraine, particularly worsened in summer due to high temperatures, disrupts sleep further.' Poor sleep doesn't just make you tired, it directly alters brain function and emotional processing Dr Ash Shishodia, neuropsychiatrist, Thrive Wellbeing Centre The most common symptom of poor sleep, she explains, is excessive daytime sleepiness. 'It can also include depressed mood, poor focus, impaired memory, as well as impairment of executive functions.' Dr Ash Shishodia, a neuropsychiatrist at Thrive Wellbeing Centre, adds that the emotional effects of heat-related sleep loss can be just as damaging. A 2019 study in Sleep Health found that hot nighttime temperatures correlated with worse mood and increased mental health complaints, while a 2022 study in PLOS Medicine linked hotter nights to a rise in self-reported mental distress, especially among younger and lower-income groups. 'Disrupted sleep from heat can lead to heightened anxiety, irritability and depressive symptoms, both in the short term and cumulatively over time,' he says. 'Poor sleep doesn't just make you tired, it directly alters brain function and emotional processing.' He adds that heat worsens the body's stress response. 'Overheating activates the sympathetic nervous system, the same system involved in fight-or-flight reactions. This leads to increased heart rate, rapid breathing and muscle tension, which the brain can misinterpret as emotional stress or danger.' Practical ways to sleep better in the heat Eight Sleep's Franceschetti notes that while some high-end solutions can help, he realises that not everyone has access to them. 'Even without advanced sleep tech, there are simple, science-backed steps people can take to improve sleep quality in hot climates,' he says. Dr Sha recommends a combination of lifestyle and environmental adjustments Maintain a consistent sleep schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day to reinforce your body's natural rhythm. Create an optimal sleep environment: Keep the room cool, ideally between 18-21°C, and dark. Use AC or cooling fans, but avoid direct airflow on the body. 'If the AC has a timer, use it to slowly increase the temperature throughout the night,' she says, to mimic the body's natural temperature changes. Choose breathable fabrics: Sleep with light, moisture-wicking bedding and avoid heavy layering. 'Warming feet in young and chest in elderly can help you sleep faster; however, keep the temperature of the rest of the body low,' says Dr Sha. Take a warm bath before bed: A warm bath a while before heading to bed can trigger heat release and help lower core temperature. Reduce stimulants and screen exposure: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and blue light from devices before bed. Exercise lightly: Light afternoon exercise can promote better rest. Stay hydrated: 'Stay well hydrated in daytime,' Dr Sha says, but avoid drinking excessive amounts right before bed. Franceschetti adds that small changes to how heat is managed at the mattress level can also make a big difference, building on Dr Sha's advice about keeping the room cool. 'Most people think staying cool is about lowering the room temperature, but what really matters is how heat builds up where your body meets the bed," he says. "That's the layer of the sleep environment that impacts core body temperature the most and it's where the right kind of cooling can make the biggest difference.' Calm the mind, not just the body Christi Gadd, psychologist at Thrive Wellbeing Centre, says that changing the mindset towards hot, sleepless nights can also make a difference. 'One of the most effective tools is psychological acceptance,' she says. 'That doesn't mean enjoying the discomfort, but rather not fighting it emotionally. When we resist reality – wishing it were cooler, resenting the heat – we only add secondary suffering on top of the physical discomfort.' She suggests techniques such as mindfulness body scans, breathwork (such as slow nasal breathing) and cooling visualisation – imagining yourself in a cold, calming environment – to reduce frustration and help the body downshift. Replacing thoughts such as 'I'll be useless tomorrow' with 'it's just one rough night, I can rest when I need to' can also help ease the pressure to sleep perfectly. Ultimately, Dr Sha says, prioritising sleep hygiene – especially in today's overworked and overstimulated world – is essential to avoid short-term burnout and long-term illness. 'Sleep is in fact, your body's most powerful healer,' she says.
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Early smartphone use tied to mental health issues in kids as young as 8, study finds
A new international study has found that children who use a smartphone before they turn 13 could face several mental health issues. Local experts say the findings of the study are 'deeply troubling' and reflects what they are increasingly seeing in clinics and classrooms. 'It shows a strong link between early smartphone ownership and poorer mental health outcomes in young adulthood including suicidal ideation, emotional dysregulation, and reduced self-esteem,' said Sreevidhya Srinivas, clinical psychologist for children and adolescents at Medcare Camali Clinic. A study by Sapien Labs, published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, found that the earlier a child acquires a smartphone before the age of 13, the more likely they are to experience lower mental health and wellbeing in young adulthood — a trend clinical psychologist Srinivas called 'particularly concerning.' The researchers have now urged global restrictions on smartphone and social media use for children under 13. 'We are seeing a generation that is growing up overstimulated, overwhelmed, and constantly exposed to unrealistic standards of beauty, success, and belonging,' observed Dr Teizeem Dhanji, medical director, consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at Sage Clinics. 'A local awareness campaign highlighted that around 84 per cent of Emirati students spend over seven hours daily on devices, relating to aggression, ADHD‑like behaviour, emotional numbness, and loneliness," Dr Teizeem added. Mental health issues at a young age According to Sreevidhya, local doctors are seeing 'a growing number' of preteens with issues which may be linked to excessive screen usage. 'We have children as young as 8 or 9 showing signs of anxiety, mood instability, sleep disturbances, and social withdrawal,' she said. 'Many of these symptoms appear closely linked to excessive screen time and early exposure to social media.' Dr Alison Burrows, senior lecturer at Middlesex University Dubai, noted that the risks may be heightened in the UAE due to early exposure to tech. 'In Dubai, where early device ownership is high and children are often exposed to adult-level tech environments from a young age, the stakes may even be higher,' she said. 'But let's be really clear, this isn't about demonising technology but recognizing that children need age-appropriate guardrails and guidance when it comes to smartphone use," she added. She added that many parents feel overwhelmed trying to keep up with fast-evolving apps and digital platforms, making it difficult to implement effective parental controls or content filters. 'Families face peer pressure, fear of missing out, and difficulty monitoring online behavior because apps evolve fast and parents often don't know how to set up their kids' devices and integrate filters, content blockers, or parental controls,' she explained. Shift in playtime For Shifa Yusuff Ali, CEO of children's edutainment company IdeaCrate, the impact of smartphones is especially visible in how playtime has evolved. "Over the last decade, I've seen tablets become a go-to for instant entertainment both at home and on the go,' she said. 'While unstructured play hasn't disappeared, screens can make it feel 'easier' for children to settle into passive activities.' At Orange Wheels — the company's play area — parents often arrive seeking out a screen-free environment. 'Many share how the constant negotiations over 'just five more minutes' of screen time have become a source of stress,' she said. 'Many parents come to me expressing a blend of worry and frustration: they see their children's attention spans shrinking, bedtime routines disrupted by overstimulation, and meltdowns tied directly to screen withdrawal. They confess concerns about posture, eyesight, and a sedentary lifestyle, all while feeling guilty when screens become the easy babysitter," she further noted. Dr Teizeem added that increased use of smartphones have replaced 'real social interactions and connections', while also causing 'lack of creative play in children, an inability to shut down or sleep well, and a significant impact on family relationships or behavioural issues.' The role of tech firms As discussions about screentime increases globally, some tech companies are beginning to take action. 'We believe that smartphones, like any tool, require responsible use, especially among young users,' said Dr Hamza Mohammad, Middle East PR manager at Vivo. "That's why we invest heavily in digital wellbeing features, parental control tools, and education campaigns to encourage healthier screen habits.' Acknowledging that screen addiction is a 'real challenge,' he emphasised the need for a shared responsibility between tech companies and governments to address the issue effectively. 'We welcome thoughtful regulation that protects users especially the younger generation, but we also believe the industry must lead with responsibility. 'Ultimately, a collaborative effort between governments, tech companies, educators, and families is the most effective way to ensure technology benefits future generations," he said.
