Latest news with #SusanMiller
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
I'm Begging You To Stop Doing This One Thing When You Get Home From Vacation Because It Might Actually End Your Life
Whether you're walking around Disney World, swimming in the ocean or taking a mountain trip, it's needless to say that many vacations — while tons of fun — can also be tiresome. After packing in as much as possible on your days off, exhaustion may set in as you rush back home to prepare for going back to work or school. It's important to be aware of a danger that comes with this: drowsy driving. Defined as driving while sleepy, it's more common than you think. According to a Centers for Disease Control survey, about 1 in 25 adult drivers reported falling asleep while driving within the past 30 days. According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 21% of fatal crashes involved a drowsy driver. So, while you may feel like you're in control and can keep yourself awake, remember that probably everyone in that situation also felt the same. Tiredness can affect your mind and ability to drive in a slew of ways, too, so there's no one way in which an accident will happen. According to Susan Miller, a lead researcher and certified sleep expert at being sleepy can impair your judgment and decision-making, reduce awareness of your surroundings (from cars to road conditions to traffic signals), and affect your coordination, balance and fine motor skills. 'Even a momentary lapse of attention can be dangerous while driving, so prioritizing safety is important,' she added. Jeff Kahn, a sleep expert and the CEO and co-founder of Rise Science, agreed. 'Microsleeps, in particular, are a cause for alarm, as they can last only a few seconds and occur unknowingly,' he said. 'While this might not seem like much, on a highway traveling at 65 miles per hour, those seconds can mean the difference between life and death.' Further, the dangers of driving while sleepy are often compared to the dangers of driving drunk. Kahn said 24 hours worth of sleep deprivation — at once, or accumulated over time — results in the same cognitive impairment equivalent as a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.10%, which is higher than the legal limit. And again, he added, it's unsafe to drive even before you reach that point. He pointed to the concept of 'sleep debt,' or not getting enough sleep cumulatively. 'If you regularly miss an hour of sleep for 10 consecutive nights, your cognitive impairment can be as severe as if you hadn't slept for 24 hours straight,' he explained. When Drowsy Driving Is Most Likely To Occur One of the two time ranges when this occurs may surprise you. According to the Department of Health of New York State, most sleep-related crashes occur between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., and 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. So yes, driving in the early morning isn't a great idea, but that 'afternoon slump' period isn't either. This is when bodies are typically the most tired. 'Importantly, these are the times when you're biologically-inclined to be more drowsy, thanks to the peaks and dips of your circadian rhythm (your internal body clock),' Kahn said. 'Your circadian energy dips will happen regardless if you had enough sleep or not, but sleep deprivation will make you feel drowsier at these times than you otherwise would.' Unfortunately, many factors can contribute to this, though some may be more common than others. Here are a few of the most common ones: Not getting enough solid sleep on your vacation Related: 19 "Body Changes" That Clearly Indicate A Person Is Not Young Anymore, And I'm Not Ready For This Reality 'One of the biggest contributors to drowsy driving is sleep deprivation,' Miller said. 'This can lead to difficulty concentrating, slower reaction times and even falling asleep at the wheel.' While the amount of sleep each person needs will vary, most adults need seven to nine hours a night, she added. (BTW, 'junk sleep,' or low-quality sleep, doesn't count.) A sleep disorder A bigger sleeping issue may be going on, so checking with a doctor is smart. 'Some disorders, like obstructive sleep apnea, cause low-quality sleep as sleep is often interrupted or restricted, thus low-quality and less restorative,' said Nicole Eichelberger, a sleep expert at Mattressive. What's even scarier is that it's not always noticeable. 'Unfortunately, most people who suffer from sleep disorders are unaware,' she continued. 'Therefore, it is essential to seek medical help if you notice excessive daytime sleepiness.' Medications or alcohol Related: 25 Life-Changing Habits People Added To Their Everyday Routines To Improve Their Lives For The Better Miller also listed alcohol and medications, such as antihistamines or benzodiazepines, as contributors to drowsiness and impaired cognitive function. So if you're enjoying a few cocktails by the pool, for example, be cognizant of this. 'Even small amounts of alcohol and certain drugs can cause drowsiness, poor coordination and slower reaction times, making driving dangerous,' she said. To avoid this, Eichelberger urged reading the side effects listed on the medicines you take, and to avoid driving if drowsiness is listed. When and how long you're driving The time of day and distance matter, too. Many of us road trip to our vacation destinations and often power through the drive in order to get there or get home. 'Driving overnight (which can be tempting to avoid traffic) increases the risk of experiencing sleepiness, even if you think you are well-rested,' said Holly Milling, a clinical psychologist, behavioral sleep medicine specialist and director of The Sleep Practice. 'Driving for long periods of time, at any time of day, is also tiring, and driving without a break can increase vulnerability to sleepiness.' Signs You Should Pull Over Immediately Simply put, you shouldn't drive while sleepy, even if you think you can make yourself stay awake. More specifically, here are some other danger signs these experts listed: Being unable to remember driving for the last few minutes Struggling to focus your eyes and concentrate Drifting into another lane Head bobbing Yawning Feeling easily frustrated Rubbing your eyes or struggling to keep them open Following cars too closely Getting restless or fidgeting Not keeping a consistent speed Braking too late Missing signs and exits 'Even if you don't feel like you'll fall asleep, these signs indicate that your driving ability is impaired and that it's unsafe to continue driving,' Kahn said. What To Do If You're Tired At The Wheel As tempting as it sounds, the answer isn't louder music, colder air or talking to someone. 'The only cure for sleepiness is sleep,' Milling said. While napping in public may feel uncomfortable, it's crucial. You can take a nap at a rest area, gas station or other place you feel safe. And hey, only a short nap is needed. 'Ideally, you should take a 20 to 30 minute nap to feel refreshed, but not so long that you enter a deep sleep cycle and wake up feeling groggy,' Miller said. 'If you're unable to nap, simply resting your eyes or having a break from driving for a few minutes can also be helpful.' While caffeine can help, Miller continued, it's a short-term fix and it can't cure severe fatigue. She recommends drinking about 200mg of caffeine (equivalent to a cup of coffee) 30 minutes before getting back on the road. Having a coffee between napping and driving also adds time between waking up and driving, which Kahn said is important. He encourages having that buffer time 'to ensure the post-nap grogginess doesn't affect your driving skills (even if you've only napped for less than 20 minutes).' Combining the two can eliminate mid-afternoon sleepiness for up to an hour, according to a study in the journal Psychophysiology. But again, these experts say a nap comes first and foremost. 'Whether you include caffeine or not, though, the most important ingredient is the nap,' Milling emphasized. 'Never skip sleep in favor of a double espresso.' Lastly, while it may seem counterintuitive, some movement (along with the nap) can help. 'A short burst of exercise can wake you up and increase your alertness,' Miller said. She encouraged light stretching or a short walk. You could even get some errands done during this time, like walking around the grocery store. If these options feel undoable or aren't cutting it, don't let that deter you. 'Call someone to drive you home or the rest of the way,' Eichelberger urged. 'You can also find a motel [and] rest for the night, or get a cab and head home.' While a Lyft ride or motel stay won't be inexpensive, it is cheaper — and safer — than the alternative. Long-term, Eichelberger recommended maintaining good sleep habits. If you notice excessive fatigue often, she added, consider talking to a sleep doctor so you can avoid car accidents (and various other problems). Being proactive is always smart, too. Milling mentioned not driving if you've been awake for 18+ hours and scheduling breaks every couple of hours, to start. This way, you're less likely to get caught in a drowsy driving situation. While vacations and life can keep us busy, sacrificing sleep isn't a great idea — especially if you're ever behind the article originally appeared on HuffPost. Also in Goodful: 30 Absolutely Wild Medical Facts You've Probably Never Heard Of But Probably Should Hear Also in Goodful: "It's Nice To Feel Wanted": Guys Are Sharing The Small Gestures Women Do That Make Them Weak At The Knees Also in Goodful: "This Actually Isn't A Necessity": Millions Of People Watched A Mom Explain How Not Buying This Super Common Household Product Has Saved Her Family Thousands
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Health
- Buzz Feed
Deadly Vacation Mistake You Might Be Making
Whether you're walking around Disney World, swimming in the ocean or taking a mountain trip, it's needless to say that many vacations — while tons of fun — can also be tiresome. After packing in as much as possible on your days off, exhaustion may set in as you rush back home to prepare for going back to work or school. It's important to be aware of a danger that comes with this: drowsy driving. Defined as driving while sleepy, it's more common than you think. According to a Centers for Disease Control survey, about 1 in 25 adult drivers reported falling asleep while driving within the past 30 days. According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 21% of fatal crashes involved a drowsy driver. So, while you may feel like you're in control and can keep yourself awake, remember that probably everyone in that situation also felt the same. Tiredness can affect your mind and ability to drive in a slew of ways, too, so there's no one way in which an accident will happen. According to Susan Miller, a lead researcher and certified sleep expert at being sleepy can impair your judgment and decision-making, reduce awareness of your surroundings (from cars to road conditions to traffic signals), and affect your coordination, balance and fine motor skills. 'Even a momentary lapse of attention can be dangerous while driving, so prioritizing safety is important,' she added. Jeff Kahn, a sleep expert and the CEO and co-founder of Rise Science, agreed. ' Microsleeps, in particular, are a cause for alarm, as they can last only a few seconds and occur unknowingly,' he said. 'While this might not seem like much, on a highway traveling at 65 miles per hour, those seconds can mean the difference between life and death.' Further, the dangers of driving while sleepy are often compared to the dangers of driving drunk. Kahn said 24 hours worth of sleep deprivation — at once, or accumulated over time — results in the same cognitive impairment equivalent as a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.10%, which is higher than the legal limit. And again, he added, it's unsafe to drive even before you reach that point. He pointed to the concept of 'sleep debt,' or not getting enough sleep cumulatively. 'If you regularly miss an hour of sleep for 10 consecutive nights, your cognitive impairment can be as severe as if you hadn't slept for 24 hours straight,' he explained. One of the two time ranges when this occurs may surprise you. According to the Department of Health of New York State, most sleep-related crashes occur between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., and 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. So yes, driving in the early morning isn't a great idea, but that 'afternoon slump' period isn't either. This is when bodies are typically the most tired. 'Importantly, these are the times when you're biologically-inclined to be more drowsy, thanks to the peaks and dips of your circadian rhythm (your internal body clock),' Kahn said. 'Your circadian energy dips will happen regardless if you had enough sleep or not, but sleep deprivation will make you feel drowsier at these times than you otherwise would.' Unfortunately, many factors can contribute to this, though some may be more common than others. Here are a few of the most common ones: Not getting enough solid sleep on your vacation 'One of the biggest contributors to drowsy driving is sleep deprivation,' Miller said. 'This can lead to difficulty concentrating, slower reaction times and even falling asleep at the wheel.' While the amount of sleep each person needs will vary, most adults need seven to nine hours a night, she added. (BTW, 'junk sleep,' or low-quality sleep, doesn't count.) A sleep disorder A bigger sleeping issue may be going on, so checking with a doctor is smart. 'Some disorders, like obstructive sleep apnea, cause low-quality sleep as sleep is often interrupted or restricted, thus low-quality and less restorative,' said Nicole Eichelberger, a sleep expert at Mattressive. What's even scarier is that it's not always noticeable. 'Unfortunately, most people who suffer from sleep disorders are unaware,' she continued. 'Therefore, it is essential to seek medical help if you notice excessive daytime sleepiness.' Medications or alcohol Miller also listed alcohol and medications, such as antihistamines or benzodiazepines, as contributors to drowsiness and impaired cognitive function. So if you're enjoying a few cocktails by the pool, for example, be cognizant of this. 'Even small amounts of alcohol and certain drugs can cause drowsiness, poor coordination and slower reaction times, making driving dangerous,' she said. To avoid this, Eichelberger urged reading the side effects listed on the medicines you take, and to avoid driving if drowsiness is listed. When and how long you're driving The time of day and distance matter, too. Many of us road trip to our vacation destinations and often power through the drive in order to get there or get home. 'Driving overnight (which can be tempting to avoid traffic) increases the risk of experiencing sleepiness, even if you think you are well-rested,' said Holly Milling, a clinical psychologist, behavioral sleep medicine specialist and director of The Sleep Practice. 'Driving for long periods of time, at any time of day, is also tiring, and driving without a break can increase vulnerability to sleepiness.' Simply put, you shouldn't drive while sleepy, even if you think you can make yourself stay awake. More specifically, here are some other danger signs these experts listed: Being unable to remember driving for the last few minutes Struggling to focus your eyes and concentrate Drifting into another lane Head bobbing Yawning Feeling easily frustrated Rubbing your eyes or struggling to keep them open Following cars too closely Getting restless or fidgeting Not keeping a consistent speed Braking too late Missing signs and exits 'Even if you don't feel like you'll fall asleep, these signs indicate that your driving ability is impaired and that it's unsafe to continue driving,' Kahn said. What To Do If You're Tired At The Wheel As tempting as it sounds, the answer isn't louder music, colder air or talking to someone. 'The only cure for sleepiness is sleep,' Milling said. Take a short nap While napping in public may feel uncomfortable, it's crucial. You can take a nap at a rest area, gas station or other place you feel safe. And hey, only a short nap is needed. 'Ideally, you should take a 20 to 30 minute nap to feel refreshed, but not so long that you enter a deep sleep cycle and wake up feeling groggy,' Miller said. 'If you're unable to nap, simply resting your eyes or having a break from driving for a few minutes can also be helpful.' Add some caffeine to the mix While caffeine can help, Miller continued, it's a short-term fix and it can't cure severe fatigue. She recommends drinking about 200mg of caffeine (equivalent to a cup of coffee) 30 minutes before getting back on the road. Having a coffee between napping and driving also adds time between waking up and driving, which Kahn said is important. He encourages having that buffer time 'to ensure the post-nap grogginess doesn't affect your driving skills (even if you've only napped for less than 20 minutes).' Combining the two can eliminate mid-afternoon sleepiness for up to an hour, according to a study in the journal Psychophysiology. But again, these experts say a nap comes first and foremost. 'Whether you include caffeine or not, though, the most important ingredient is the nap,' Milling emphasized. 'Never skip sleep in favor of a double espresso.' Exercise Lastly, while it may seem counterintuitive, some movement (along with the nap) can help. 'A short burst of exercise can wake you up and increase your alertness,' Miller said. She encouraged light stretching or a short walk. You could even get some errands done during this time, like walking around the grocery store. Consider other options that will get you home safely If these options feel undoable or aren't cutting it, don't let that deter you. 'Call someone to drive you home or the rest of the way,' Eichelberger urged. 'You can also find a motel [and] rest for the night, or get a cab and head home.' While a Lyft ride or motel stay won't be inexpensive, it is cheaper — and safer — than the alternative. Long-term, Eichelberger recommended maintaining good sleep habits. If you notice excessive fatigue often, she added, consider talking to a sleep doctor so you can avoid car accidents (and various other problems). Being proactive is always smart, too. Milling mentioned not driving if you've been awake for 18+ hours and scheduling breaks every couple of hours, to start. This way, you're less likely to get caught in a drowsy driving situation. While vacations and life can keep us busy, sacrificing sleep isn't a great idea — especially if you're ever behind the wheel. HuffPost.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
DC Pride Parade 2025: Route, time, what to know about festivities
June is Pride Month and DC's Capital Pride Alliance is hosting WorldPride – a global festival that promotes LGBTQ+ visibility and awareness – on Saturday, June 7, which is expected to draw thousands of visitors from across the country. "This beloved tradition honors our history and acknowledges the evolution of the LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in Washington, DC, while respecting the origins and importance of taking to the streets in our fight for equality," the event's website reads. WorldPride, which began May 17, is brimming with events and celebrations – musical performances, fashion shows, discussion groups and subcommunity gatherings such as Trans Pride, Latinx Pride, Youth Pride and beyond. The festival culminates with the city's Pride Parade on June 7 and a massive rally and march from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. Capitol on June 8. Here's what to know about DC's 2025 Pride Parade, including the start time and route. The parade steps off at 2 p.m. from 14th and T streets NW and goes through Thomas Circle before turning onto Pennsylvania Avenue, according to the festival's website. The parade is scheduled to end on Pennsylvania Ave NW, near the Navy Memorial. You can see the full route here. There will be numerous road closures and parking restrictions around the city on June 6 and 7. The Metropolitan Police Department listed in a news release on May 28 the full list of closures and restrictions. You can see the full release here. According to reporting from the Washington Post, the National Park Service imposed 'a temporary closure of Dupont Circle Park from approximately 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2025, through approximately 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2025.' The closure was requested by United States Park Police, which called it 'necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety and protection of natural and cultural resources in Dupont Circle Park," according to reporting from the Washington Post. Contributing: Susan Miller, USA TODAY Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DC Pride Parade 2025: Route, start time, what to know
USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
DC Pride Parade 2025: Route, time, what to know about festivities
DC Pride Parade 2025: Route, time, what to know about festivities Show Caption Hide Caption Pride flag raised in DC in honor of Pride month Officials, organizers and supporters gathered in front of the John A. Wilson building in Washington D.C. as the Pride flag was raised. June is Pride Month and DC's Capital Pride Alliance is hosting WorldPride – a global festival that promotes LGBTQ+ visibility and awareness – on Saturday, June 7, which is expected to draw thousands of visitors from across the country. "This beloved tradition honors our history and acknowledges the evolution of the LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in Washington, DC, while respecting the origins and importance of taking to the streets in our fight for equality," the event's website reads. WorldPride, which began May 17, is brimming with events and celebrations – musical performances, fashion shows, discussion groups and subcommunity gatherings such as Trans Pride, Latinx Pride, Youth Pride and beyond. The festival culminates with the city's Pride Parade on June 7 and a massive rally and march from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. Capitol on June 8. Here's what to know about DC's 2025 Pride Parade, including the start time and route. DC Pride Parade 2025 start time, route The parade steps off at 2 p.m. from 14th and T streets NW and goes through Thomas Circle before turning onto Pennsylvania Avenue, according to the festival's website. The parade is scheduled to end on Pennsylvania Ave NW, near the Navy Memorial. You can see the full route here. DC Pride Parade 2025 road closures There will be numerous road closures and parking restrictions around the city on June 6 and 7. The Metropolitan Police Department listed in a news release on May 28 the full list of closures and restrictions. You can see the full release here. Dupont Circle will close for event According to reporting from the Washington Post, the National Park Service imposed 'a temporary closure of Dupont Circle Park from approximately 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2025, through approximately 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2025.' The closure was requested by United States Park Police, which called it 'necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety and protection of natural and cultural resources in Dupont Circle Park," according to reporting from the Washington Post. Contributing: Susan Miller, USA TODAY Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
