Kitchen table Kibitzing November 30, 2025

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Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 at 5:30:10pm PST

Sleep

Maybe it’s my age, but I hear complaints about sleep problems from most of the people with whom I speak. It’s recommended that adults get 7-8 hours of sleep per day. Cats should get at least 20 hours.

Around 50 to 70 million Americans have a chronic sleep disorder. One in 10 adults suffers from chronic insomnia, meaning they have trouble sleeping more than three nights a week for three months or longer. Trouble falling asleep is experienced by about 14.5% of US adults. Trouble staying asleep is reported by about 17.8% of US adults.

Interestingly, recent meta-analyses of millions of people have found no evidence that chronic insomnia itself is a direct cause of early death.

Daily sleep duration: Data from the National Health Interview Survey shows a significant increase in the percentage of adults getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night over the past 20 years, notes the CDC. What has changed during that time? However bad things have been, trump and Fox has made them worse.

How is your sleep? I notice how many TV ads are touting sleep-aid products. Do they work? For us, Benadryl in the form of inexpensive allergy pills works well, but…...”Benadryl is not recommended anymore due to its significant side effects, including drowsiness and anticholinergic properties, which can lead to impaired concentration, falls, and an increased risk of dementia with chronic use.”

A viral “military sleep method” claims to help you fall asleep in two minutes:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/125679080.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

I can report that my Shepherd’s Pie last night (recipe from Joy of Cooking) turned out well, and plenty left for tonight.