Why we can’t live – or function – without a good night’s sleep

In my previous article, I said that out of all of life’s necessities, eating was the most complicated.

Yes, eating “well” takes work, but there are so many options, most of us will not go hungry.

But sleep… oh glorious sleep. When the zzzz’s elude you and you find yourself staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m., counting down the hours… “so, if I fall asleep now I will get four hours…” well, that is what many people would arguably say, at best, is one of the most frustrating experiences you can go through, and at worst, debilitating.

Enormous problem

For many people, insomnia, in its many forms, is a chronic and enormous problem.

Why?

Why is sleep so important? Doesn’t it seem like a colossal waste of one-third of our lives?

However, when we are lacking in sleep, our bodies send us powerful signals that warn us that the gas needle is getting low.

Much as with food, where we get very powerful hunger signals, with sleep we also get several signals. However, some are not so obvious – brain fog, difficulty resisting illness, heart problems and inflammation. The obvious one is that we get very sleepy.

Suffice that there are extensive studies on the topic.

Energy conservation: We do not expend as much energy when we sleep, therefore when we are awake, we can be more productive.

Inactivity theory: As with many species, this is an adaptive or evolutionary theory. When we sleep during high-risk times (during darkness), there is less chance we can be found by a predator or have an accident.

Restorative theories: Sleep provides us with an opportunity to repair and rejuvenate. Studies have proven that without sleep, animals lose all immunity and die within weeks. And most reparative functions increase substantially at night. Enzymes are secreted during the daytime that need to be eliminated once they reach certain levels and can only be released during sleep.

Brain plasticity theory: The most recently studied and (very simply put) sleep is when we accumulate all the information that we have taken in during waking hours and are given the time to make sense of it. We all know that when we are tired, small problems can seem insurmountable, but that after a good sleep, they suddenly are not so overwhelming.

Makes my brain hurt a little, but all the compelling studies lead to one conclusion, we… need… sleep.

How?

Basic rules

1. Have a sleep routine. For example: small light snack; read for half an hour; wash face, brush teeth and change; fluff pillow, kiss significant other “good night;” ensure all lights are off and zzzzz…

2. Not too much to eat or drink two hours before bed; recent studies suggest a small light snack

3. Restful bedroom: This should be your calm and happy place – tidy and welcoming with subdued colours, a muted blue perhaps and no lights, including small lights on electronic equipment

4. Exercise during the day but not right before sleep

5. Get possible health issue investigated

6. Manage stress. One trick is write out your to do list for the next day so it is on paper instead of in your head.

I have sleep apnea. I am NOT what would be seen as a typical case, I am a female with an athletic build. So if you have the following symptoms while sleeping, see your doctor, it is a life threatening disorder without intervention:
• loud snoring
• stopping breathing
• gasping for breath
• hard time staying asleep
• waking with a dry mouth
• morning headache
• waking up tired/excessively tired during the day

*please give to your local food bank for those less fortunate

So, wishing you all the very best in health and a very good night!