Sleep — probably the most important function of our body. And this is why, without it or when lacking it, we cannot function well at all. I’m sure most of you have tried going without sleep and experienced the detrimental results. Imagine being afflicted with a sickness that robs you of your sleep. In the United States, it is estimated that there are 40 million people with sleeping disorders, often referred to as somnipathy, and that 95% of those are undiagnosed, therefore untreated.
People with somnipathy are known to experience some — or maybe even all — of the following effects: excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, a continuous and uncontrollable urge to move one’s legs, obesity or excessive weight, restlessness while sleeping, trouble falling or staying asleep, depression, impotence, high blood pressure, irritability, forgetfulness, anxiety, apnea, lack of energy and motivation, difficulty learning or concentrating.
Post truncated…
The first hurdle that I really must overcome is my bad sleeping cycle. For many years now I’ve gotten used to going to bed at 3 or 4 a.m., and getting up at 10 or so. Occasionally I’d wake up early for appointments and such, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I’d slept early the previous night. My Circadian rhythm’s completely out of whack!
I was thinking about this last night: what’s the best way to "normalize" sleeping cycles? I mean, the accepted sleeping hours. Is it better to gradually adjust your bedtime, say, half an hour earlier over the course of a few weeks? Or do it by brute approach, like stay up the whole time until it’s the "proper" time to go to bed? By then you’d be so exhausted you’d probably sleep soundly for enough hours.
Am I making sense? If not, that’s because I’m trying the second approach. Had just a few hours of sleep last night because I’m so not used to sleeping at a, well, godly hour. My temper’s shot too, as it is wont to be when I am lacking in Zzz’s.
If I did it gradually, I wonder if it would be better?
