Dear Friends,

 

Hope your new year has begun well - lots of exercises, good eating, postive attitude !!  Today, I would like to share an article by Dr Tushar on Sleep. After reading this article, I am sure you will not compromise on your sleep. Have a wonderful week ahead .

 

Rgds

 

Dr Rajesh Parekh

____________________________

 

Beauty sleep

 

Sleep is the most relaxing word. The word itself fills us with a sense of quietness, peace and relaxation. But what is sleep – physiological rest or mental rest? It is both and it is a natural necessity. It is a stress release, if it is sound sleep. Sleep is also a discipline of the mind and the body.

 

As a baby, the duration of sleep is long hours and as we grow up, the duration reduces. It is always advisable to have six to eight hours of sleep a day. Sleep induces physical, mental, psychological and emotional rest.

 

Sleep can be categorized in three segments.

 

1.       Sound Sleep – Where you fall asleep as soon as you go to bed and wake up after a long stretch of sleep without waking up in between. You feel fresh and energetic after sleeping. You may dream, but it does not affect you.

2.       Disturbed Sleep – It takes time to fall asleep. You tend to wake up from your sleep. There may be physical or mental discomfort.

3.       No Sleep (Insomnia) – No sleep at all

 

 

Sound Sleep: Every one wants sound sleep. The importance is reflected in the following:

 

1.       Energy level

2.       Behaviour (communication)

3.       Attitude (state of mental steadiness)

4.       Emotional level

 

All of the above enhance our acceptability, efficiency and success.

 

Energy level – Sound sleep leads to psychophysical rest. Neither the brain nor the body is active. It is the process of recharging and regaining spent energy. Through sound sleep, the body and the mind strike a balance and to have a high level of energy, this perfect balance is required. This naturally leads to physical well-being that prevents acidity etc.

 

Behaviour – With sound asleep, the mental stress level diminishes. You feel charged. This naturally reflects in your behaviour, which reinforces relationships with others.

 

Attitude – Sound sleep invariably leads to de-stress, and laziness does not creep in. The feel good factor is reinforced. With lack of sound sleep, you might find that you are not in the right mood. This leads to categorisation as persons with an attitude problem.

 

Emotional Level – A disturbed mind and a disturbed body, without a proper balance, upsets the entire inner system of the individual. All these, ultimately reflect through the emotional outbursts.

 

So far, we have examined the types of sleep and the effects of sound sleep. The categories of disturbed sleep and insomnia need to be addressed.

 

 

Disturbed Sleep stems from number of factors. Physical disorders (health, illnesses, mental worries (financial, professional, environmental), emotional upheaval (both negative and positive) and physical and mental exhaustion. All of these are transitional processes, which can be addressed with minimum efforts.

 

With proper attention and care, the disturbed sleep syndrome can be taken care and the benefits of sound sleep could be accrued.

 

Physical Disorders – Take proper medical care; be disciplined with food habits and your own system.

 

Mental Worries – Since financial, professional and environmental situations are not in our control, you need to build up a system of mental immunity within yourself. This means development of a mental resistance, be mentally strong so as not to be affected deeply by situations that it disturbs your sleep. The process will include, calming of the mind (meditation, pranayam, being alone with self ), physical exercise and yoga, taking long walks, or taking up a hobby.

 

Emotional Upheavals – These are normally temporary phenomenon, which every one goes through and which passes off with time. It is difficult but one needs to develop a sense of detachment while being fully involved. This is a sign of maturity which can be imbibed through good reading, observation, interaction, awareness – this also includes an understanding of life, philosophy and psychology. However, there are processes that can help.

 

i.         Write the felt emotions, which are disturbing. Read the same immediately after writing. Read it again after one hour. Then destroy the paper. This practice will help you empty your feelings, which will help you relax.

 

ii.       If possible, think logically, back wards, on the events that disturb us. This will help identify the source of disturbance. Now address the issue.

 

Physical and Mental Exhaustion – This again is a temporary phase. Beware that you do not stretch yourselves beyond your limits – in joy, sorrow or activity. You will have understand your own system – physical and mental – and draw the line accordingly.

 

Insomnia is a deep-rooted psychological issue, which could have complex emotional and physiological elements that need to be addressed. For insomnia, proper treatment through a clinical psychiatrist needs to be taken.

 

Sound sleep is a must – a basic approach to life is required – simple, uncomplicated living and approach to living. Doing our little things ourselves within the limitations of the individual system is the bottom lime to this beautiful and most endearing part of our lives.