Today, lack of sleep is one of the biggest causes of burnout in major cities in India. Continuous postponement of sleep causes sleep debt, which is unhealthy, and over a prolonged period may cause major health issues.
Various surveys suggest that Indians are among the most sleep deprived in the world. Indians sleep on average lesser than people in the US and the UK. Indians also get the lowest REM sleep (sleep where you’re likely to get a dream) in the world.
A large number of city folk are wired to work way too many hours. And some have found a way out, training their bodies to suffice with this schedule, by grabbing shorter naps through the day.
Called sleep hacking, it re-organises sleep into smaller economical parts. The idea has created a buzz in the West giving rise to sleep hacking coaches and bestselling books on the subject.
However, training your body to cope with fewer hours of sleep and more work time poses several health dangers.
Going against the clock has its own repercussions such as impaired work productivity, irritability and anger, obesity, increased risk of cancer and heart disease, risk of type 2 diabetes.
How much sleep do you really need?
While most articles on sleep suggests that one should sleep for 8 hours to stay healthy and feel energized, some suggest that 5 hours may be enough for some.
There are many people who sleep for 8 hours everyday and still feel lethargic when they wake up, which means there’s some problem with their diet (not enough protein), or maybe its too hot and humid which doesn’t let you sleep well (a cooler weather or air-conditioned room makes it easier to sleep).
However, too less sleep can also be dangerous as studies suggest that it increases the risk of a heart-attack.
In today’s world, its not easy to stay away from digital screens. But its important to take frequent breaks from your computer, and keep that smartphone away at least 20-30 min before going to bed.
Useful Products That Help Sleep Well
- Eye Masks for Sleep: Blocking out all light allows your eyes to relax and sleep well.
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