What is Sleep?

I love the quote by Robert MacNish, "Sleep is the intermediate state between wakefulness and death; wakefulness being regarded as the active state of all the animal and intellectual functions and death as that of their total suspension." The reason I love this quote is because Mr. MacNish was quoted saying it in 1834 ! The need for sleep isn't something we are needing to learn to deal with in the 21st Century, the need to refresh, re-energize and renew has been something that man has speculated and researched for a very long time! Here is what we do know about sleep: 1) Sleep needs are a basic human need and is influenced by our genetics. Some people can live well on 7-8 hours of sleep, others need 9-10 hours. So if you are someone who needs a good 9-10 hours a night (like myself) please do not feel like you are lazy!! It is a biological need for your body! Studies have also proven that continually getting 6 or less hours of sleep per night is not enough for any person to continue to be healthy and function at full capacity. 2) We cannot learn to sleep less. Our body needs sleep and if we try to survive on less, we will have problems: high blood pressure, insulin intolerance, fatigue, reduced performance at work, reduced immune system, etc. 3) Sleep is not a waste of time. It is simply a biological need like eating and reproduction. 4) Sleepiness is not a character flaw, it is a sign of sleep deprivation. It often can be due to a sleep disorder like sleep apnea. Of course, not all of us who are sleepy have sleep apnea, but think about how driven we have all become! We sacrifice evening downtime to work longer and harder to get ahead rather than do things to unwind. We stay on our computers until late, watch TV late, go to kids activities until late in the evening, etc. Did you know it can take hours for your mind to unwind at night after a long hard days work? Give yourself and your kids time every evening to SLOW DOWN. Our brains need this time to slow down so it can prepare for a restful nights sleep. Instead of keeping the TV on or working on the computer until right before bed, try lowering the lights and reading a chapter in a book. Other good suggestions are turning the lights down and listening to some soft music while you visit with your spouse or children, you can even take this time to do some gentle stretching exercises. Find something that lowers the lights and just lets your mind go free! It will be a great lead in to a restful night of sleep!!

Above information compiled from "Getting a Good Night's Sleep - A Cleavland Clinic Guide" by Dr. Nancy Foldvary-Schafe, DO