The Science of Getting Good Sleep - Dr. Shelby Harris

I sat down with sleep expert Dr. Shelby Harris to break down why sleep is a powerful driver of mental health, performance, and overall well being, especially for college students. We talked about common barriers like late nights, phones, and packed schedules, and why change starts with actually wanting it. Instead of perfection, we focused on small, practical experiments to improve sleep habits. This conversation will challenge you to see sleep as a competitive advantage for better mood, focus, and success.

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THE HARLAN COHEN PODCAST New York Times bestselling author Harlan Cohen has candid conversations with top experts, and leading influencers. Guests share their greatest victories, devastating setbacks, and most valuable advice to help listeners dream big and take action. Hosted by Harlan Cohen, New York Times bestselling author, and speaker. Harlan is the founder of Best First Year, and has over 1 million books in print. His live events, books, programs, and workshops have reached millions of people and changed countless lives. About Dr. Shelby Harris

Dr. Harris is in private practice in White Plains, NY where she specializes in the use of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression. She is board certified in Behavioral Sleep Medicine (BSM) by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and treats a wide variety of sleep disorders (insomnia, nightmares, circadian rhythm disorders, narcolepsy, apnea treatment noncompliance) using evidence-based non-pharmacological treatments. Before going into private practice, Dr. Harris was the longstanding director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. Harris currently holds a dual academic senior-level appointment as Clinical Associate Professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in both the Neurology and Psychiatry Departments. Dr. Harris has published and presented research on the neuropsychological effects of insomnia in older adults as well as behavioral treatments for insomnia, parasomnias, narcolepsy, and excessive daytime sleepiness. She is frequently invited by hospitals and organizations to give grand rounds lectures and workshops. She obtained her undergraduate degree with honors from Brown University and graduated with her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University. Dr. Harris completed her predoctoral internship at Montefiore Medical Center where she trained in the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center and received advanced postdoctoral training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy for anxiety and depression.

Shelby Harris, PsyD, DBSM Licensed Psychologist Board Certified, Behavioral Sleep Medicine

NY Sleep and Psychology Clinical Associate Professor, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NYC, NY

Website: www.drshelbyharris.com Instagram: @ SleepDocShelby

Dr. Shelby's Books: The Women’s Guide to Overcoming Insomnia: Get a Good Night’s Sleep Without Relying on Medication (by Harris)

The Essential Guide to Children’s Sleep: A Tired Caregiver’s Workbook for Every Age and Stage (by Roth, Shale and Harris) Chapters:

00:00 Intro 01:20 Why Sleep Matters for Longevity and Performance 03:30 Why College Students Ignore Sleep 05:50 How Sleep Impacts The Brain 07:30 Sleep Trackers, Wearables, and Obsessing Over Data 10:00 Phones, Technology, and Realistic Sleep Boundaries 12:00 Building Better Sleep Habits Through Small Experiments 16:30 Why You Have to Want Better Sleep 20:00 Learning from High Performers and Athletes 22:30 Roommates, Communication, and Sleep Compatibility 28:00 Sleep Environment, Temperature, and Dorm Challenges 34:30 Supplements, Alcohol, Weed, and Sleep Myths 42:30 Naps, Irregular Schedules, and Energy Management 47:00 Medical Issues, Snoring, and When to Get Help 50:30 Can You Catch Up on Sleep and Final Takeaways