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Mike and Sandra found out about sleep deprivation when the twins were small. Previously they had been used to their seven or eight hours a night, but then things changed drastically. Fortunately it was only temporary.
We spend about a third of our lives sleeping. This is a time when our bodies regenerate and all bodily processes slow down. Wounds heal faster at night and we dream, providing us with the opportunity to process thoughts, feelings and impressions.
Scientists do not know exactly why people sleep, only that they really need it and that people who are completely sleep deprived for a while are at risk of dying.
Things to remember
- Try and get to bed at more or less the same time every day.
- Caffeine and alcohol and eating just before you go to bed can all three keep you awake.
- Many people suffer from insomnia. Sometimes medical conditions are responsible for this, but it is very often stress or anxiety-related. It is better to try and sort out the things causing you stress than to take sleeping tablets as a long term solution.
- Don’t fight with your spouse or try to work out your tax return just before you go to bed. It will keep you awake.
- A comfortable bed that is good for your back is a good investment considering how much time you spend in it.
- If you have had a bad night, do not be tempted to nap during the day, but go to bed at your normal time, thereby re-establishing your normal sleep pattern.
“I slept like a baby. Every three hours I woke up looking for a bottle.” Liam O’Reilly
