A Woman's Guide to Sleep: Guaranteed Solutions for a Good Night's Rest

Combining knowledge and writing skill, Walsleben, the director of the Sleep Disorders Center at NYU's School of Medicine, and Baron-Faust (What Every Woman Should Know About Breast Cancer) have prepared the first book focusing on sleeping problems that are unique to women. With a dose of good cheer and a knack for presenting complex information practically, the authors make a strong case for why women should not treat sleep lightly--particularly since 56% of all women suffer from sleep-deprivation due to hormonal imbalance and other female-only conditions. The good news is that, from infancy, women are able to experience more slow-wave (deep) sleep than men, and they maintain this ability throughout most of their lives. From the value of 20- to 40-minute naps (any longer would leave the napper groggy) to recipes for pre-bedtime snacks (foods such as milk, cheese, bananas and turkey are effective sleep-inducers if enjoyed an hour before bedtime) and useful suggestions, such as ""ban glow-in-the-dark bedroom clocks,"" they provide many ideas that a woman can implement on her own as well as cautioning when to seek expert intervention. The authors also include a chapter on why women (unlike men) do not seem able to fall asleep quickly after sex (there may be psychological as well as biological reasons), and one on sleep disorders in children and teenagers. The appendix of resources help round out an altogether welcome book to the field of women's health. Agent, Vicky Bijur. 8-city author tour. (Sept.)