Overview Video

Railroaders' Guide to Healthy Sleep

 

Railroader Videos

Getting Rest, Working the Rails

Mark, a veteran railroader, explains how he gets the sleep he needs, and how he stays alert on the job.

 

Awake & Safe: Railroaders Talk

Experienced locomotive engineers tell how they manage their work schedules, organize their sleep, and balance work and family life.

Apnea on the Rails: Mark's Story

Sleep apnea occurs most often in overweight, middle-aged men. See how one railroader handles this problem.

Expert Videos

Adjusting to the Nightshift

Daniel Cohen, MD, MMSc, formerly of Harvard, tells how to adjust your internal clock to working at night.

Apnea's Consequences

Stuart Quan, MD, of Harvard, explains how untreated obstructive sleep apnea may lead to serious medical disorders.

Apnea Treatments

Lawrence Epstein, MD, of Harvard, discusses sleep apnea treatment options.

Caffeine Timing

Andrew Phillips, PhD, of Harvard, tells how long caffeine remains active in the body, and when to consume it to boost alertness.

Caffeine Tolerance

Andrew Phillips, PhD, of Harvard, explains that caffeine tolerance varies from person to person.

Consider Medication and Behavioral Approaches

Stephen Amira, PhD, of Harvard, discusses when you may want to take medication to aid sleep, try to change behavior, or combine these strategies.

Getting Family Support

Michael Coplen, former Federal Railroad Administration human factors researcher and former locomotive engineer, tells how important family is to railroaders getting good sleep.

Irregular Work Schedules and Sleep

Lawrence J. Epstein, MD, of Harvard, explains why people who work irregular hours often have trouble with sleep.

Napping as a Sleep Strategy

Daniel Cohen, MD, MMSc, formerly of Harvard, tells how to make naps part of your sleep plans.

Recharging the Batteries and Measuring Sleep

Daniel Cohen, MD, MMSc, formerly of Harvard, explains how we can recharge our internal battery to avoid sleep debt. He also explains how scientists measure sleep needs.

What is the Danger Zone?

Michael Coplen, former Federal Railroad Administration human factors researcher and former locomotive engineer, tells how normal daily lows in alertness pose safety risks.

Shift Work and Ways to Improve Sleep

Charles Czeisler, PhD, MD, or Harvard, offers tips for healthy sleep for people who regularly work at night.

Sleep and Health

Orfeu Buxton, PhD, formerly of Harvard, describes animal and human studies that suggest adequate sleep promotes a long and healthy life.

Sleep and Memory

Robert Stickgold, PhD, of Harvard, tells how sleep helps you learn facts and remember them.

Sleep and Mood

Lawrence Epstein, MD, of Harvard, describes links between sleep and mood.

Sleep Deprivation and Cardiovascular Risk

Janet Mullington, PhD, of Harvard, tells how sleep deprivation increases the risk of heart and blood vessel disease.

Sleep Deprivation and Judgement

Christopher Landrigan, MD, MPH, of Harvard, tells how sleep loss keeps you from realizing how sleepy you are.

Sleep Deprivation, Weight Gain, and Diabetes

Ann E. Rogers, PhD, RN, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, discusses sleep deprivation, weight gain, and diabetes.

The Social Challenges of Daytime Sleep

Dennis Dean, PhD, of Harvard, describes how social factors and family obligations complicate daytime sleep.

Strategies for Sleep

Michael Coplen, former Federal Railroad Administration human factors researcher and former locomotive engineer, discusses the need to find healthy sleep strategies that work for you.

Symptoms of Apnea

Lawrence J. Epstein, MD, of Harvard, explains the three classic features of obstructive sleep apnea.

What to Expect from a Sleep Evaluation

Lawrence Epstein, MD, of Harvard, tells what to expect from a visit to a sleep specialist.