Good night, sleep tight
Mona
If you remember the Obama Modi’s sleep joke, one would think one’s only wasting time spending double the time they do in bed. Put in the likes of celebrated designer Tom Ford, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer and chairman PepsiCo Indra Nooyi, who make do with three to five hours of sleep, one starts to question if sleep is that significant as it’s touted to be. Well, let’s not be mistaken, the power wielders get the benefits of what we ordinary mortals get from sleep from their passion and if your passion isn’t that big as ruling a state or a fashion house, here is how sleep impacts our physical, emotional and mental being…
Early to bed
According to Dr Sumit Jain, MD Medicine and consultant, JP Hospital, Zirakpur, early to bed and early to rise remains tried and tested formula to be in the pink of health. On an average, an adult requires eight hours of sleep. “If the biological clock gets disturbed it can lead to hormonal imbalance leading to physical, mental disorders like hypertension or depression,” warns Dr Sumit. Not only that one requires that eight hours of sleep but around the same time too. “It is an asset if somebody can stick to ten at night to six in morning in this era.”
Rhythm & blues
Lack of sleep has even wider implications for our mental health. Dr Parmod Kumar, consultant psychiatrist points out, “With changing lifestyle, people are increasingly sleeping late and those who can afford waking up late too. Even those who have to wake up early are sleeping late leading to persistent headaches, anxiety and mood swings.” While on an average eight hours sleeps works well, it has to be in night, he insists, “The hormones that boost positive frame of mind are induced in mornings, if you spend that time sleeping, you are going to be in irritable mood.” It’s not just quantity but also quality of nap that must be ensured. “While a light sleeper can be distracted by minor change in environment, it might not be the case with a deep sleeper.” Problem is even worse for those working in the graveyard shifts. “Nothing can make up for a good night’s sleep.”
The damage
Sleep and skin have a more significant relationship rather than just under eye circles. “Right form pigmentation to darkening of skin around lips, neck or underarms can be caused due to lack of proper sleep,” says Dr Vikas Sharma, chief consultant dermatologist, National Skin Hospital. “Unhealthy lifestyles impact skin and hair first of all,” says Dr Vikas who has seen around 30 out of 100-150 patients he examines daily be victims of unhealthy sleep practices.
More is less
Now, this is known that lack of sleep and increasing waistline are in direct correlation. You sleep less, feel lack of energy and head to sugary food. “Lack of sleep invariably leads to mood swings that one tries to compensate with food,” says diet consultant Pallavi Jassal.
For those aiming to lose weight she warns against sleeping less and more. “Not only is lack of sleep one cause of weight gain but also more of it. As activity is anyway less nowadays, sleeping more would further decrease it making one’s basal metabolic rate go even less,” says Palavi who apart form eight hours good night’s sleep also recommends an afternoon nap for a refreshing you!
Time bound
To maintain regular sleep patterns, experts recommend paying off the ‘sleep debt’. Instead of sleeping in late over the weekends, add one or two hours each night, this might work well.
mona@tribunemail.com
