The Sleep You Reap

Slumber is all too often a neglected notion. Of all of our basic human needs for survival, sleep typically lands last on our list. I will be the first to admit that as an ADHD adult, I’ve been known to quip “I’ll sleep when I’m dead!” I ‘rest’ my case.

However, if we turn a blind eye to shut-eye, the results can wreak havoc on our health. Did you know that humans are the only mammals who delay dozing? All other species see fit to sleep when tired. How did these other non-humans know that sleep deprivation kills faster than starvation? 

Yes, in fact, you will lose your life from lack of sleep before you flatline from lack of food. According to the Sleep Foundation, humans can survive weeks without food, but may succumb to severe health failures in about 1.5 to 2 weeks without sleep. Furthermore, it’s been said that long-term, chronic deprivation causes more deaths through accidents or cardiovascular disease. In addition, acute total sleep deprivation also results in rapid cognitive and physical deterioration. If these facts don’t keep you up at night, I don’t know what will!

Keep these key differences between good sleep, and deprivation in mind when it comes to your brain power, emotional health and overall well-being. Good sleep improves focus, decision-making, and memory consolidation, while a lack of it impairs cognitive function. Proper rest regulates emotions, whereas the lack of sleep increases irritability, stress and risk of anxiety or depression. And lastly, quality sleep lowers blood pressure and reduces inflammation, whereas the lack is linked to weakened immunity and higher risk of chronic illnesses.

Not only does the lack of sleep impair your health, but your “pillow posture” has a say as well. John Hopkins forewarns that sleeping positions directly impact spinal alignment, breathing, pain levels and digestion. Side sleeping (especially left) is generally best for reducing snoring and acid reflux, while back sleeping aligns the spine. Stomach sleeping is the least recommended, often causing neck / back strain. 

Then there’s the tenuous topic of sleep apnea – a common, serious disorder affecting nearly 1 billion people worldwide, with more than 30 million adults in the U.S. alone. This acute, precarious culprit causes repeated breathing interruptions during sleep, leading to oxygen desaturation and chronic health issues. The American Medical Association states that up to 80 percent of cases are undiagnosed, leaving millions at risk for serious illness and fatal accidents.

Here are some fundamental facts and fallacies of this notorious nocturnal evil:

“It’s just loud snoring.” While snoring is a common symptom, it is not the same as sleep apnea. Truth be told, snoring is the sound of vibrating tissue, but sleep apnea is a serious medical condition where you actually stop breathing – sometimes hundreds of times a night!

“Only Overweight Men Get It.” Nope . . . Sleep apnea can affect people of all ages, genders, and body types, including children and slender individuals.

“CPAP is the Only Treatment.” False! Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (alias CPAP) machines may be the gold standard, however, they are not the only option. 

“It’s Not a Serious Health Risk.” Guess again. Dismissing sleep apnea as just an “inconvenience” is dangerous. Untreated apnea is linked to a 2-3 times higher risk of stroke and significantly increases the risk of heart attacks, type 2 diabetes and dementia. It also makes our roads more risky as drowsy driving caused by apnea can be as dangerous as driving drunk.  

In summary, seeking more sound sleep practices saves not only your life, but the lives of others. The next time you forego your forty winks, remember napping is a necessity. Now there’s your wake up call!

Can You Relate is a column from Noblesville High School grad Branna (McCarty) Shores. Branna believes that “HOME is where your story begins.” A Noblesville native and proud alum of NHS and Purdue, she is a professional speaker, advocate for mental health and work / family balance and retired social worker. Branna is the mother of two grown daughters, six precious grandchildren and wife of one brave husband! Her passions include singing, writing and sharing the lighter side of life through lessons learned, both personally and professionally. She can be contacted at branna18@gmail.com