SleepCompass

WHAT TO DO WHEN NOT SLEEPING
How much sleep is enough? There is no one answer!! At best, the recommended amount is to sleep enough so that one functions optimally. This begs the question, “what is optimal fucntion?” It is difficult enough to know optimal physical function (no fatigue, “achyness”, tired feelings, etc.), and even more so, optimal mental or emotional fucntion. And then there is “spiritual functioning!!” To make things worse, the majority of sleep deprived persons are not aware of, or minimize their impaired functioning!!
So, how then, can these functions be measured and correlated to the amount and quality of one’s sleep?!?!?
Medical research does well to show that sleep deprivation contributes to stress, anxiety, memory problems, poor job performance, fatigue, pains, medical diseases (obesity, diabetes/glucose intolerance, heart disease), and psychological-psychiatric illnesses. Conversely, it is now well accepted that good sleep makes one healthier, smarter, and less stressed.
So why do so many skimp on sleep? The extra work accomplished instead of sleeping, (i.e. “burning the candles at both ends,”) is negated by the potential and real mistakes made due to less than optimal mental functioning!! There is a tendency to do less physical activity when sleepy, leading to more unhealthy behaviors, and the ability to handle stress lessens significantly after missing even a little sleep (e.g. new moms).
So, again why do so why do so many skimp on sleep? Any comments, ideas, suggestions, excuses, rationalizations, are welcomed.
But, after treating the sleep deprived, the sleep disordered, as well as just promoting healthy (or at least adequate) sleep, for 20 years, one thing is clear, most people were not following the advice to get more and better sleep!! There were many reasons, comments, ideas, suggestions, excuses, rationalizations, none of which were valid for more than a few nights!
But then I noticed that there were a few well balanced, calm, aware, and happy people that slept less than the recommended 7-8 hours per night. Although there are genetically determined sleep needs (ie natural short sleepers), these persons chose to do things differently when not sleeping. These activities included prayer, meditation, contemplation, and other activities that reduce thinking, whether with music, books, guided tapes, or with nothing.
This suggest to me that what is one does instead of sleeping contributes in a major way to how one feels, acts, behaves and performs during the day. Those that try to cram more work, school-work, chores, and such, are impaired, never seem to complete their work, and are cranky; those that pray, meditate, etc, accomplish abundantly, feel well, are happy, and are great people to be around!,
So, if you can’t sleep, don’t want to sleep, or think sleep is a waste of time, I suggest you take up the more spiritual activities, like prayer, journaling, meditation during the hours you are supposed to be sleeping. The short version of these suggestions is too calm down, slow your thinking, relax. You will feel better, healthier, sharper, and happier….and the rest of us will appreciate this!
For some specific ideas to help you with these suggestions, visit sleepcompass.com and Discover The Gift of Sleep
Sleep Well, Gus