Sleep is essential
A complicated lifestyle and challenging work environment translate into pockets (or waves) of stress and woeful hours of sleeplessness.
Sleep is precious. Every living organism needs sleep thrive in the environment. For human beings, it essential for a life of quality and productivity. However, there are many people who are sleepdeprived for a number of reasons. What is it like to stay on the fast track? Working round-the-clock and traveling around the globe are not without health hazards. Constantly changing time zones while juggling multiple executive duties are physical activities that accelerate the aging process.
Everything has a price, it seems. Sometimes, the price of the perks of success and constant travel may have its own hidden cost: the loss of sleep.
Sleep is a “commodity” that cannot be bought, stolen, or borrowed.
Time was when (as infants and toddlers) we had bountiful hours of blissful sleep. As soon as the lights dimmed, or as soon as dusk set in, carefree children descended easily into dreamland — floating on clouds and rainbows.
Sleep was what we needed in order to grow tall, bright, healthy, and strong.
Growing up has deprived us of quantifiable hours of sleep, we later discovered. The more we acquired responsibilities and privileges in adulthood, we also began to accumulate emotional, mental and physical baggage.
A complicated lifestyle and challenging work environment translate into pockets (or waves) of stress and woeful hours of sleeplessness.
The hormonal changes too, wreak havoc on the internal time clock and gentle patterns of healing sleep.
As we grow older chronologically — not necessarily mentally or emotionally — we begin to miss the habit of easily falling asleep at night.
Perhaps we have had too much of work, food, drink. Most likely, we have simply forgotten to switch off the mechanisms that drive us to compete and achieve. We don’t know when or how to stop worrying.
Instead of dreaming, we are fretting about a thousand things — major problems and inconsequential details. We are anxiety-ridden, full of angst, or simply burnt out.
We try all kinds of remedies — whatever it is that pushes us to the brink of yawning. We rely on exercise, warm milk ( yuck! But it works for some people because of tryptophan), a good book, TV (not the news, please!), counting sheep and some form of natural or prescribed anti-anxiety pills.
Insomniacs and jet lag victims, take heart. There is natural food supplement — Melatonin, a pill with the hormone that is responsible for inducing sleep. This hormone is produced by the pineal gland of the brain.
Throughout our early life, we produce melatonin in abundant quantities. As we age (chronologically), the production of this hormone decreases. This explains the difference between the sleep facility of babies and the insomnia (and senescence) of older people. Melatonin keeps our cells form ageing and disintegrating.
The hormone is secreted in response to the amount of light that hits our eyes. Doctors say that melatonin keeps in sync with the circadian rhythms — of the day and the changing seasons.
It sounds reasonable enough — to desperate insomniacs.
Skeptics caution people not to pop pills indiscriminately. They should refrain from experimenting with supplements that do not have any record of long-term effects.
Cellular biologists however, have discovered that Melatonin has another important basic function — “to protect oxygen-based life from the effects of oxygen.”
The process of oxidation corrodes our cellular membranes and damages our DNA.
As we metabolize oxygen, free radicals or highly reactive molecules are generated — slowly destroying our cells. This weakens our minds and causes degenerative diseases (such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and heart disease) as we age.
Although our bodies produce enzymes to inhibit oxidation, we need vital nutrients such as Vitamin C and beta carotene known as antioxidants, to provide extra protection to certain cells. Melatonin is supposed to permeate all types of cells — including the brain.
There have been surveys and debates about the pros and cons of the wonder pill. (It has been in great demand in health food stores.) Its multiple claims — such as easing insomnia and jet lag and turning back the ravages of time, boosting the immune system, and extending life — have yet to be proven.
On a personal level, it works 75% of the time, depending on the mood. If one is anxious or too stressed, it may not be as effective. When one is in a state of peace and relaxation but sleep is still elusive, one pill will suffice.
Based on research and personal experience, healing sleep is still a function of one’s psychological and physical well-being.
The beneficial effects for people on the fast track could very well be a mélange of a natural hormone with the strong psychological aid that suggests — and therefore, induce sleep!
(Contrary to that famous quote, “To sleep, perchance to dream, this writer has an entirely different creative rhythm. I dream — even before I fall asleep.) MARIA VICTORIA RUFINO is an artist, writer and businesswoman. She is president and executive producer of Maverick Productions. mavrufino@gmail.com