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Journalism of Courage
Dont ignore that yawn. Sleep deprivation could affect you more than you know
We all wish we could do with as little sleep as possible. Especially in todays hurried society,sleep seems like a luxury and not a necessity. But no matter what the argument,the fact is that for good health one needs quality sleep. Dr Zarir Udwadia,P.D. Hinduja Hospital,Mumbai says,The sleep pattern requirement differs from person to person. There is no fixed amount though most people make do with 7 and a half hours of sleep. The correct amount may vary from 5-6 hours,which is enough for most people. Though that would be an ideal time spent sleeping,with chaotic lifestyles,people are sleeping far less especially in the cities. Infact,doctors say we are running a sleep debt. We are sleeping two hours less than what our grandparents used to. In the earlier generation they followed their biological clock,and woke up when the sun rose and slept when the sun went down.We are all running a sleep debt, says Dr Udwadia.
This sleep debt,has its adverse effects as sleep deprivation affects both the body and the mind. One has to follow their bodys rhythm,this is known as circadian rhythm. This rhythm tells you when you need to rest. But with the new lifestyles that we lead,where coffee and alcohol consumption is high,or where we watch TV late into the night,these sleep patterns are affected. This leads to drowsiness,poor concentration,irritability,increased risk of falls and accidents,and lower productivity,says Dr A K Bali,internal medicine,Moolchand Medcity,Delhi.
Sleep deprivation affects the body both physically and psychologically. It affects the immune system and other body reparative systems of the body . With the lack of sleep the body doesnt get time to regenerate itself. This also adds to the stress factor, says Udwadia.
This may be the reason why if you overwork yourself and try to cheat on your sleep time,your chances of falling ill are high. Sleep also helps you to improve concentration. Proper sleep,especially sleep where you are actively dreaming (REM sleep),regulates mood as well. Sleep does affect moods. One should find out if one suffers from any sleep disorders like insomnia,and get treatment. Since lack of sleep can cause secondary disorders like anxiety and depression from those suffering from sleep deprivation, says Dr Bali.
Sleep is affected by a natural hormone called melatonin,which is secreted by the pineal gland a pea-sized gland located just above the middle of the brain. Production of melatonin is inhibited by light and permitted by darkness. For this reason melatonin has been called the hormone of darkness. Secretion of melatonin as well as its level in the blood,peaks in the middle of the night,and gradually falls during the second half of the night and is minimum during the day. Melatonin is important for regulation of circadian rhythms,says Dr Bali.Melatonin works as a powerful antioxidant and keeps the circadian rhythms in check. So the next time your body tells you it is sleepy,switch off the lights for a good night s rest.
As Dr Umadia says,With less sleep we are adding hours to our day but subtracting it from our life. So make the most of your sleep and help your body rejuvenate itself.
