Sleep
Babies and sleep: what's normal and safe
As any parent of a new baby knows, sleep can be elusive and the abundance of advice about it can be overwhelming. Sleep specialist Dr Bronwyn Sweeney shares some insight. Audio
The evolution of human fatherhood
Human fathers put more time and energy into rearing their offspring than most other mammalian dads. Dr Lee Gettler is an anthropologist who focuses on fathering and the biology of fatherhood. He's… Audio
The incredible master navigators of Pacific voyaging
New Zealand author Jeff Evans' latest book, Reawakened: Traditional navigators of Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa tells the stories of 10 master navigators who are leading figures in the renaissance of Pacific… Audio
Defying body clock linked to depression and lower wellbeing
According to a new study, people whose sleep pattern goes against their natural body clock are more likely to have depression and lower levels of wellbeing. Lead author Jessica O'Loughlin joins the… Audio
How 'emotional inflammation' could impact your mental health
Stacey Colino is the co-author of Emotional Inflammation: Discover your Triggers and Reclaim Your Equilibrium During Anxious Times. She likens emotional inflammation to living in a snow globe that's… Audio
How listening to calming music at bedtime can help you sleep
A new study has found that listening to music does, in fact, help older adults get a better night's sleep. Australian music psychology expert Dr Thomas Dickson, creator of the Can't Sleep app, says… Audio
Why negative thoughts intrude just before we go to bed
It's a widespread problem and that late night rumination causes a lot of people fatigue and, annoyingly, more worry! Professor of Clinical Neuroscience Sean Drummond, explains why this happens. Audio
The incredible impact our mind can have on our physical health
In her new book, This Book Could Fix Your Life: The Science of Self Help, science journalist Helen Thomson debunks the fads and explores the real science of self-help to discover how we can… Audio
Irregular sleep patterns linked to bad moods, depression
The more variation in our wake up and sleep time, the worse mood and more chances of depression symptoms we're likely to experience. That's the finding from a study conducted by a team from the… Audio
Bernice Tuffery on her long battle for a good night's sleep
In New Zealand, 25% of all adults can only dream about getting a good night'ss sleep. Bernice Tuffery was one of them. She shares her experience in a new book, Sleep Easy. Audio
When is the best time of the day to exercise?
Is there an optimum time in the day for us to exercise? The answer is yes if you are a man who is at high risk for Type 2 diabetes, according to a new study out of the Netherlands. Study co-author… Audio
Why we need sleep
Sleep researcher and UCLA Evolutionary Biology Professor Van Savage on the importance of sleeping well. Audio
Sleep over social media for teenage well being
Researchers have found that ensuring quality sleep for young people is more effective for their mental health and well being than restricting time on social media. Study co-author, Dr Damian Scarf… Audio
Sleep trumps diet and exercise for young peoples' wellbeing
Poor-quality sleep affects the mental health of 18 to 25-year-olds twice as much as physical exercise and diet, according to a new University of Otago study. Audio
Age no barrier to successful weight loss, study shows
A new study from the University of Warwick has concluded that lifestyle changes to manage weight loss are effective in reducing obesity regardless of age. Lead author Dr Thomas Barber of Warwick… Audio
The Sleep-Deprived Masculinity Stereotype
Sleep deprivation is more common among men than women. Researchers at the University of Oregon believe this is due to "The Sleep-Deprived Masculinity Stereotype". Co-author Nathan Warren is with us to… Audio
Is 'eight hours rest' outdated in today's society?
'Eight hours labour, eight hours recreation, eight hours rest' is the slogan that arose as part of New Zealand's eight-hour day movement, but in our modern lives is it still applicable? Audio
The strange effects the moon could be having on our health
The idea that the lunar cycle can influence our behaviour and wellbeing dates back thousands of years. In her new book, The Human Cosmos, science writer Jo Marchant re-examines the effects that the… Audio
Why working from home is disrupting your sleep patterns
The idea is great in principle, but there are downsides to working from home, including the fact that less clear boundaries between work time and personal time affect our sleep patterns. Dr Jennifer… Audio
The global pandemic is depleting your 'surge capacity'
Humans can draw on their 'surge capacity' for short-term survival in stressful situations. But when the disaster stretches out indefinitely - like the Covid-19 pandemic - your surge capacity can get… Audio