Time to wrap up 2008 and dive full force into 2009.  2008 was a great year for Speed Sleep, but its time to look ahead to the future and focus solely on 2009.  Before we bid farewell to 2008, lets take a look at the stories that centered the attention on sleeping problems and sleeping aids.
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A recent study performed by researchers at the National Cancer Institute has linked sleep deprivation to an increased risk of cancer, Reuters Health Information reports.  The study shows that a consistent sleeping problem (regularly sleeping less than seven hours a night) can lead to a 47% higher chance of developing cancer later in life.
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As always, here are our favorite sleep related articles and blog posts this week:

Calorie Lab discusses how sleep and sleep drugs affect weight gain.
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At Speed Sleep, we are constantly telling you the positive effects of getting more and better sleep. Our sleep techniques were created to help you fall asleep faster and procure quality sleep in a short time span. If you still need convincing, here are the ten best reasons to get more sleep in a simple list form. Think of it as ten reasons to hit the snooze button and keep sleeping!
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As always, here are our favorite links from around the web:

The Health & Beauty trends blog gives readers advice on getting their beauty sleep.
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A good night’s sleep is the foundation you build your days upon, whether it is just another day at the office, a busy weekend, or a fun vacation that you want to make the most of; however, sleep problems make it impossible for your days to be up to their full potential.  After all, when you are sleep deprived you do not perform as well - you are not as focused, alert, or even as creative as you would have been if you had gotten proper rest the night before.  Now consider this: you are visiting Las Vegas and hitting the tables all night long, and drinking and going to shows and all that - imagine how this negatively impacts your gambling performance after only one night.
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We all know people who wear their sleep deprivation like a badge of honor.  They talk about how many hours and how hard they work, how much caffeine they consume, their sleeping problems, and most of all, how little they sleep.  They seem to think that being so busy they don’t have time to sleep is the hallmark of a successful career.  Unfortunately for them, they are completely wrong.
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Considering that over one third of the U.S. population suffers from some kind of sleeping problem, and more than half of adults report they experience daytime drowsiness, it is obvious that Americans aren’t getting their sleep. Furthermore, sleep problems are taking their toll on society in the form of lowered productivity and accidents caused by individuals who were quite literally “asleep at the wheel”.
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Driving while drowsy might be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A sleep study in which 241 volunteers allowed their cars to be wired with five cameras during the course of one year found that when the drivers hadn’t gotten enough sleep, they were bleary-eyed and unfocused, leading to risky behavior and an inability to concentrate on the road. In fact, the study found that being sleep-deprived might be the riskiest possible condition for a driver. It only goes to follow that sleep problems and sleep disorders can lead to terrible car accidents if left unchecked.
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As part of a study performed by the University of Pennsylvania, four paid volunteers spent a week and a half sequestered in a dimly lit hospital suite. They were required to stay awake until 4:00am, then they were woken up at 8:00am for five days in a row. Afterwards, the volunteers were tested to measure the effects of what is called “chronic partial sleep deprivation.” Essentially, this is what happens to people who have sleeping problems or sleep disorders.
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