We tend to think of sleep as a time when the mind and body are shutting down so that we can rest. While in reality, sleep is a very active period during which important restorative processes take place. On average, an adult human requires a good 8 hours of sleep-in order to function well, stay healthy, and consequently become more productive in the personal as well as the professional sphere. Yet reports only show how sleep-deprivation is rising among people. A related article, based on the remarks of leading neuroscientist Mathew Walker, titled “Sleep should be prescribed” high lights his concern on a “catastrophic sleep-loss epidemic”. Work consumes most of our time leaving us with the only option of sacrificing sleep in order to enjoy family or personal time. How less we sleep determines how hard-working we are. Irrespective of health-concerns related to lack-of-sleep, people consider it embarrassing while doctors prefer prescribing pills instead of sleeping itself as a remedy. Various epidemiological studies state that lack of sleep shortens life-span increasing the risk of heart attack and Alzheimer’s and other health concerns.
Good sleep facilitates creativity through dreams which are vital both biologically (promoting neural development) and psychologically (cognitive development).
In this highly demanding world, sleep is deprived of its weightage and I am no exception to that. I try to get a minimum of 6 hours of sleep depending on my scheduled necessities. For a few years, I have been suffering from depression resulting in persistent nights of insomnia perhaps causing fatigue, mood swings, and lack of interest in any immediate proceedings. I can even account for many stressful nights, for example, before exams where despite the urge to sleep I could hardly spare 2 hours for the same. Sleep irregularities have become noticeably frequent since I started using a smartphone.
This article has indeed answered many of my queries making me determined to positively change my sleeping habits committing to a non-negotiable 8-hours sleep at regular hours. Productivity and competency in work are absolutely necessary for this competitive market which can only be facilitated by sleep itself.
“The old maxim ‘I’ll sleep when I’m dead’ is therefore unfortunate. Adopt this mindset, and it is possible that you will be dead sooner and the quality of that (shorter) life will be worse”. (Walker, n.d.)
Life is a gift unconsciously wasted for material gain leading mankind to a dead-end reversible through appropriate prioritization.
Work Cited:
Very good and helpful content.
Very Good Article
Very nice