Undoubtedly, the importance of a good night’s sleep for overall health is widely acknowledged. With numerous studies exploring the optimal ways to achieve quality rest, recent research proposes a surprising solution, sharing the bed with dogs. Canisius College in New York State spearheaded this unconventional investigation, revealing that women experience better sleep next to their canine companions compared to human or feline counterparts.
Lead researcher Christy Hoffman, Ph.D., an animal behaviorist, conducted a survey involving nearly a thousand women across the United States to draw these intriguing conclusions. The results unveiled that 55% of participants shared their beds with at least one dog, 31% with a cat, and 57% with a human partner.
Hoffman delved into the reasons behind dogs emerging as superior sleep partners. The study highlighted that dogs’ sleep patterns align more closely with humans than those of cats. Hoffman theorizes that this synchronization may contribute to improved sleep quality, as dogs are adept at accommodating their owners’ sleep schedules, potentially mitigating disruptions caused by differing bedtime routines.
Furthermore, the structured routines imposed by dogs, such as morning walks, assist in regulating their owners’ daily schedules, thereby enhancing overall sleep quality. Another contributing factor is the physical stillness of dogs during sleep, unlike fidgety feline companions. Women in the study reported that dogs tended to remain on the bed throughout the night, fostering a sense of security and stability.
The study’s third crucial finding emphasizes the unique sense of security that dogs provide. Unlike cats or even human partners, dogs offer a heightened level of psychological comfort. Hoffman suggests that the perception of dogs as vigilant protectors, capable of alerting their owners to potential intruders, plays a role in enhancing the sense of security.
Despite these intriguing findings, the study acknowledges the subjectivity of sleep preferences. Factors such as a dog’s snoring or generating excess warmth could pose challenges. Additionally, there are individuals who find solace in the companionship of cats during bedtime.
It’s essential to note that the study relies on participants’ subjective perceptions of their pets’ impact on sleep quality and duration. Consequently, further research is necessary to definitively crown dogs as superior sleeping partners. Hoffman emphasizes the need for continued exploration into the various contexts under which pets positively or negatively influence sleep quality.
As American households increasingly welcome pets, understanding these dynamics becomes crucial. Future research may utilize technologies like Fitbit-like devices to objectively track sleep quality in diverse sleeping conditions, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between humans and their animal companions during bedtime.
I Tested My Middle Granddaughter’s DNA Because She Looks Different from Her Siblings
A concerned grandmother noticed her middle grandchild grew up looking different from her siblings. She decided to get her granddaughter a DNA test kit, and the results shocked her.
A woman’s grandchildren grew up on the other side of the country, so she never really got to see them grow up. The first time she met her middle grandchild, Lindsey, was when the child was already six months old.
Through the years, she noticed how different Lindsey looked compared to her siblings. It confused her that Lindsey had curly blonde hair while everybody else had dark hair.
Why Did Her Granddaughter’s Appearance Differ from Her Siblings?
The concerned grandmother shared her story on Reddit, hoping to get clarity on whether she was right to help her granddaughter get to the bottom of her heritage. Initially, she thought their family genetics were just deeper than she’d imagined, and she loved her granddaughter regardless.
One day, the woman discovered that Lindsey’s parents banned her from getting an ancestry test. The woman scolded her son and daughter-in-law for it, saying the young girl deserved to know the truth about her birth.
Ultimately, her son and daughter-in-law denied there was anything fishy regarding Lindsey’s birth. They asked the woman to leave, and that was the end of the story.
To their surprise, the DNA test results showed something fishy about her lineage.
However, now that Lindsey’s in high school, questions continue to fill her head regarding her birth. She went to her biology teacher, and the teacher told her that it was odd for her to have traits that her siblings or parents didn’t have.
What Secret Did the DNA Test Uncover?
Distressed, Lindsey ran to her grandmother, asking her to buy a DNA test. Concerned about her granddaughter, she purchased the test for her without telling her children.
Lindsey did all the work and took the DNA test after her grandmother handed it to her. To their surprise, the DNA test results showed something fishy about her lineage.
Results showed that Lindsey and her siblings didn’t share a mother. “My son got someone else pregnant and her [biological] mom gave her up,” the grandmother revealed.
The revelation wreaked havoc on the entire family. The woman’s son and daughter-in-law were furious, while Lindsey was equally mad at her parents for being lied to for fifteen years.
The woman’s children refuse to talk to her, and their non-communication has made Lindsey even more angry. While the grandmother had good intentions, she now wonders whether she was wrong for igniting this storm.
People on Reddit assured the woman that she did nothing wrong. To them, the people to blame were her son and daughter-in-law.
“There are medical reasons a person might need to know what their genetics are/are not and if you hadn’t helped her she would have found out some other way[sic],” one person argued.
“Guaranteed she was going to find this out in 3 years anyway. At least this way, she knows that someone [in] her family is more concerned about her mental health and well-being than their own,” another added.
“There are legitimate, tangible, life-&-death reasons for knowing your genetics. Lindsey absolutely deserves to know the truth. This overrides her parents’ desire to pretend everything is fine & dandy,” one shared.
People share the same sentiments that the heat wasn’t supposed to be on the grandmother but on the parents for hiding something so critical. They felt the young woman had the right to know about her own background, and her grandmother helped her uncover the truth.
Do you think the grandmother was wrong for buying the DNA test? What would you have done if you were in her situation?
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