“Sleep, those little slices of death — how I loathe them.”
― Edgar Allan Poe
Although I can't say that I ever felt quite as vehemently anti- sleep as Poe, I know for much of my life I simply felt sleep took up too much time. It felt like a waste. I have learned the absolute essential importance of sleep to our well being, and it's importance to our society is just becoming fully recognized.
We are in the midst of a surge in sleep trendiness.
According to a report by McKinsey & Company we have a growing "sleep-health" economy. Researchers have recognized both immediate and long term "health and performance problems. Sleep insufficiency can weaken the immune system and impair cognitive performance. Sleep-deprived people can have mild cognitive impairment, such as slower reaction times, or can experience more serious problems, such as errors in judgment and decision making", which can lead to accidents. According to CDC "over the long term, sleep insufficiency can have more serious chronic health implications. It is correlated with an increased risk of several chronic conditions, including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and mental distress. The RAND Corporation has estimated that the mortality rate for individuals who consistently get fewer than six hours of sleep per night is 13 percent higher than for those who routinely sleep seven or more hours per night."
After Arianna Huffington suffered a sleep deprivation-induced injury, she became a "sleep evangelist" realizing that not getting enough ZZZs was a serious health hazard. She has written “The Sleep Revolution,” and created a wellness venture Thrive Global, where she preaches healthy lifestyle choices along with the gospel of a good night's sleep.
As this graphic from McKinsey shows there are many aspects to this new economy and thus many ways to get the rest one needs.
Some of the simplest sleep tips are still the best. Sleep in a cool, dark, quiet room. Turn off electronics at least an hour before bedtime. Try not to eat for a few hours before falling sleep.
zzzz
Night, Night, Sweet Dreams
