An Experience with Sleep Deprivation and Overcoming it

I have a friend who developed insomnia when she started her journey to study law. Like many, she aspired to excel academically, and she did, but at a high cost; her sleep. Sleep is not merely a time when we lay our heads down to rest; it's the culmination of the body's activities from the moment we wake until we close our eyes for slumber.

Think of the brain as a bustling office, diligently functioning throughout the day to ensure your well-being and sanity, avoiding any hint of mental distress. The brain craves nighttime respite, as this is when the glymphatic system works at ten times its daytime capacity, efficiently cleansing the brain. By now, you might grasp the issue – insufficient sleep means the brain can't properly dispose of the waste it generates, potentially harming it.

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With Revenge Bedtime procrastination, people can sacrifice sleep for leisure time because their daytime is extremely busy, and the only time they have for leisure is before going to bed. The hypothalamus which is responsible for sleep regulation sends signals to the brain to release the sleep-inducing hormone Melatonin when it is time to go to bed, and when there is less melatonin, the body will be active. That is why it is important to try to keep the light off when going to bed, so the hypothalamus can tell the brain to release melatonin.

My friend had a strong attachment to her phone, computer, and artificial light because of her intensive study habits. However, when she decided to rectify her sleep pattern, she knew she had to eliminate all sources of light – be it bulbs, phones, or PCs. Late-night phone use and exposure to light send signals to the brain that it's still daytime, hindering melatonin production.

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Caffeine addiction was another hurdle she had to overcome. My friend frequently consumed coffee and energy drinks, unaware that caffeine inhibits receptors in the brain that detect crucial sleep signals. Adenosine, a compound that accumulates as the day progresses, naturally makes us drowsy as the evening approaches. Consuming caffeine late in the day can disrupt the sleep-wake cycle. Sedatives and alcohol were also on her list of sleep-disturbing culprits. These substances reduce the time spent in deep sleep, a crucial aspect of a good night's rest.

Sharing her journey of overcoming insomnia was inspiring, and I believe it's worth sharing with others. Before concluding, remember that conquering sleep inertia, that groggy feeling upon waking, is essential when combatting insomnia. Start by ditching that blaring alarm that disrupts your precious sleep. A full night's rest is invaluable, and your brain will thank you for it.

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Read More

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https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6875726/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6751071/
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/sleep-deprivation

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Hi, I am Tobi a writer, speaker, relationship blogger, and lover of good music. I love making friends and learning from people. Want to hear me speak on relationships and general life issues, you can find my youtube channel where you can listen and watch any episode for free, please do not forget to subscribe, friends. I sincerely appreciate every love I get from here, Kindly do well to keep them coming.