SLEEP WELL - IT IS VITAL FOR HEALTHY BODY

 

Sleep is vital for healthy living as it helps the body to repair and be ready for another day. Good sleep is extremely relaxing and it helps the body to recover from mental as well as physical exertion. After a proper sleep, the mind gets refreshed. An interrupted sleep is not healthy. It not only affects work but also leaves us tired, groggy and muddle-headed.

It is very important to sleep peacefully. A national level survey says that up to 3 per cent of GDP is lost due to lack of sleep, and an increase in sleep could add billions of dollars to a country's economy. This means that lack of sleep is neither good for healthcare systems nor the economy.

 

Sleep is a biological need

 

To stay healthy and alert, don't miss on your sleep time. Getting enough sleep is not a waste of time. It's a biological need. Cutting down on sleep time is not a bad idea. It plays a vital role in brain function and systemic physiology across many body systems. Lack of sleep can put your life in serious trouble. So taking a fulfilling and satisfying sleep is advisable. Lack of sleep leads to loss of efficiency. Inadequate sleep will make you ineffectual the next day. So,it is necessary to take enough sleep so that you can 

 

Insufficient sleep: A global problem

Insufficient sleep has become a global problem and it is becoming increasingly common in today’s society. Insufficient sleep has an impact on every part of our lives, including work. During pandemic many employees reported difficulty in concentration and also felt that their productivity was not optimal. Several companies also made their employees work from home since beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and this period became the ultimate stress test of productivity for many.

 

Hammond's survey has highlighted issues pertaining to working from home. It is important to highlight this because, the problem of sleeping pattern has also been mentioned. According to Hammond's survey, one in four people working from home complained that their sleeping pattern was disrupted and many reported restless nights.

 

According to survey conducted by Waveform, out of approximately 150 million US workforce, around 85 million were forced to work from home due to the pandemic. As a result, there came a huge lifestyle change. One unexpected side-effect of this 'stay at home' phase has been change in sleep patterns. Similarly, work from home is making 67% Indians to suffer from sleep deprivation.

 

Another survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation's annual Sleep in America says that 65 percent of Americans experience sleep problems. For people who work nights and extended shifts, such as police officers and medical professionals, sleep deprivation is already an issue. And this is not to be ignored because lack of sleep jeopardizes public health and safety. 

A recent investigation regarding prevalence of sleep disturbances was conducted over 20,000 people in the Netherlands who were 12 years of age or older. The study found an alarming prevalence rate of 27.3%, with 21.2% of men and 33.2% of women reporting that they have some type of sleep disorder.

 

Numerous factors contribute to sleep disruption

 

Factors that can cause sleep problems include (1) Physical disturbances (for example, chronic pain from arthritis, headaches, fibromyalgia) (2) Medical issues (for example, asthma) (3) Psychiatric disorders (for example, depression and anxiety disorders (4) Environmental issues (for example, it's too bright, your partner snores).

Besides, there are other causes of sleep deprivation as well. It can be working schedule, voluntary choice of schedule for sleep, certain life situations (for example having a chronically ill family member) as also emotional problems. Apart from this, various factors are also responsible for sleep deprivation like sudden stressful situations in life, such as changing or losing a job, death of a close friend or family member, or moving to a new place.

Age wise, sleep pattern disruptions are seen in 18 to 24-year olds.  Eighty-four percent of them experience disruptions in their sleep as a consequence of working from home. 

Consequences of sleep deprivation

Sleep disruptions have substantial adverse short- and long-term health consequences. Scientists say that lack of sleep detracts alertness and concentration. It is more difficult to concentrate and focus, so you are more easily confused. This impedes your ability to perform tasks requiring logical reasoning or complex thought. Sleepiness also circumvents the decision. No matter the reason, if you don’t get a good night’s sleep, the next day you may be irritable, have memory problem or be forgetful, feel depressed, have more falls or accidents. 

 

If you’re always sleepy or you find it hard to get enough sleep at night, it may be time to see a doctor. Waking up every day feeling tired is a sign that you are not getting the rest you need. Many people don’t sleep well. Some are of the opinion that sleeping for a couple of hours or fewer is enough but it is not ideal. It can only provide your body with one sleep cycle.

 

Sleep is the best meditation. A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything. Getting enough sleep helps you stay physically fit and attentive. This blog is just a reminder that don't miss on your sleep time. Do all your favorite things and get good sleep too. 

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