30 April 2016

Sleep well, dear Manager

DISCLAIMER: This blog entry is for entertainment purposes only. If you’re having insomnia or such symptoms, seek medical help.

 

Historian’s note: This entry was written after 1 year of successful service at a BPO.


One might have come across the concept of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and “adequate sleep” is definitely in the below layers. If sleep is so important, the question to ask now is, why do people lose their sleep over things like “Esteem needs”? Is it really worth it? That’s definitely an introspection everyone ought to do. But it need not be done during the sleep time :)

The next question to ask is how much sleep does a working adult (housewives included) typically need? 5 hours / 7 hours / 10 hours per day? (or should I say night?) The answer lies deep within our ancient Indian sciences, the extent of sleep is also dependent on the type of metabolism in the body you possess (woah, “possess  a body !) However, I would like to point out this news article which refers to   But he missed getting proper and adequate sleep, minimum 7 hours. In our opinion, that killed him”  http://www.drshaileshthaker.co.in/blog/what-killed-ranjan-dasyoungest-ceo-and-lessons-for-corporate-india.html In that case, what are the steps to ensure to get adequate sleep:https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/caffeine-and-sleep Caffeine is found in popular beverages including Coffee, Tea (yes), Cocoa, Chocolate, soft drinks (Yay, it didn’t mention ‘hard drinks’, or did it?)

Btw, Sleep is related to something called as ‘Circadian rhythms’. Which says that our body has endogenous biological 24hour process which is synchronised with the sun. (Sun! The Sun, yes the SUN. I knew it)

Light:

Taken fromhttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.urbandroid.lux&hl=en 

Recent research suggests that exposure to blue light before sleep may distort your natural (circadian) rhythm and cause inability to fall asleep. The cause is the photoreceptor in your eyes, called Melanopsin. This receptor is sensitive to a narrow band of blue light in the 460-480nm range which may suppress Melatonin production - a hormone responsible for your healthy sleep-wake cycles. In experimental scientific studies it has been shown an average person reading on a tablet or smart phone for a couple of hours before bed time may find their sleep delayed by about an hour.” As I understand, the bluish light from mobile phones, laptop screens, LCD TVs makes us stay awake for additional time whenever we look at them. I’m not sure about fluorescent lamps or CFL lamps or LED lights
(now did I offend any environmentalist?)



 

Beverages:This article from National Sleep foundation says about Caffeine and Sleep.
https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/caffeine-and-sleep

Stress: There is always work pressure, or ‘this’ pressure or ‘that’ pressure. But it is the individual who converts it to stress. I always believe that the worst thing to happen to anyone is to suddenly die. In that case, whatever else happens is always definitely less grave (oh man, did I say ‘grave’ after I said ‘die’). The next worst thing is to lose your job. You’ll always get a new one, because you’re THE MAN. So, chill !

 Few steps I have taken:

1.       Since my work is similar to UK shifts now, I follow a similar sleep pattern during the weekends also
2.       I’ve also installed Twilight app on my phone, and its definitely helpful
3.       Dimming the laptop monitors is also done, although I’m not sure about the benefits
4.       No to coffee, no tea, no soft-drinks. Yes to Buttermilk, lemonade and Jaljeera
5.       Daikin 1.5 ton inverter AC in ‘Coanda’ mode with expensive pillows
6.       Soft Sleep-eye-mask. It sometimes comes in handy, or ‘eyey’ (if there was such a term)7.        Eating at regular time windows. I’m not referring to the fast-food restaurant take-away window
8.          Monthly Sudarshan Kriya (from Art Of Living). 
9.          And of course Yoga nidra


Keep rocking!
and 'yawn'

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