Sleep How Our Modern Lives are Affecting It
An underlying culprit for several physical and psychological health problems for people in developed countries is sleep deprivation. Modern living, in particular, contributes to keeping people and a good night’s sleep at a distance.
Circadian Rhythm
Our sleep evolved to suit the routine fluctuation between night and day. This resulted in our bodies shifting into an active mode during daylight, abound with energy and hunger hormones. And at night, our body slows down. For instance, our immune system defenses are lower and we produce less urine. These processes are part of the circadian rhythm, which use day and night as a reference point to govern our body’s functions every 24 hours.
Traditional Societies
In comparison to developed countries, traditional societies go to sleep and wake up earlier. 30% of the population in developed countries suffer from chronic insomnia. However, only 1.5% of the Hazda people (Tanzania) have problems with their sleep. Furthermore, supporting the notion that modern lifestyles are responsible for poor sleep in western society.
Causes of Chronic Insomnia
There are multiple reasons why people are sleep deprived and various solutions on how to fix it. For instance, according to eachnight, you should pair a strict bedtime schedule with a supportive, quality mattress to achieve a blissful slumber. Along with planning your bedtime routine, think about your exposure to the following modern elements that could be affecting your sleep.
Artificial Lighting
The invention of the lightbulb by Thomas Edison in 1879 supplied people the power to alter their homes and business premises with the flick of a switch. However, bringing light into our environment in the dark hours poses adverse effects to our body’s capacity to gain quality sleep. The dark is what enables our brain to release melatonin, a hormone that makes us feel tired and ready to sleep. Altering the circadian rhythm by exposing your vision to artificial light at night time confuses your body clock and sets you up for restless nights sleep.
Digital Devices
Our co-dependent relationship with digital devices has further impaired our ability to achieve restful, quality sleep. For many scrolling through our phones and tablets at night it’s a familiar bedtime ritual. But it does little to help us wind down. Blue wavelengths of light from screens provoke the light-sensitive cells towards the back of the eye that links to the suprachiasmatic (SCN). The SCN moderates the internal body clock dependent on whether it is light or dark.
Shift Work
Light and technology have provided businesses with the opportunity to work productively throughout the night. Shift work is popular in factory and warehouse settings, however, this mode of work also conflicts with circadian rhythms and confuses the body’s processes. In turn, sleep quality declines, and research has suggested it knocks years off a person’s life span too.
Living in modern society means working overtime, socialising late, and falling asleep with your mobile, digital alarm and TV on nearby. It also means as a result of poor sleep, people resort to drinking caffeine to stay alert. Then top up on junk food for comfort the following day. To work in sync with your circadian rhythm you must change your perception that success is only gained by being overworked, stressed and, of course, overtired. Instead, take a step back to see the bigger picture brewing; chronic insomnia, mental health issues, weight gain and a shorter lifespan as a result of poor sleep.
Well it appears that those who are in control / have power / can make changes, cause changes to happen, etc. These are the ones ” Responsible for Their Own Actions “, which includes their Decisions which affect / effect / have an impact on others (people,public, employees, customers, noise (Such as delivery vehicles Being driven overnight / unsocial hours, as people live near roads / streets/ motorways, etc) Cause – Effect. “The Big Picture ” Needs to be looked at / considered / reviewed, etc. Perhaps it is the Factory Owner / Business Owner who should live next to the Factory / Roads /Streets / Motorways / Noise that their Business produces ” Take the Rough with the Smooth ” , Be Responsible for Their Actions ” and Decisions, and How this Impacts on People ( Inclusive, Equality, etc, etc,etc…)
I notice if I have not been active in the day, I will not sleep properly. You need to blow the cobwebs off with some sort of physical activity as it also helps reduce stress..
Perhaps the Government should consider how it can help to facilitate a healthy / healthier lifestyle for the public. In particular those having to work :- Shift Work. Which includes Doctors, Nurses, Ambulance Crews, Paramedics, Midwives, Police, Etc, etc, etc.
As many of those who have to do Shift Work are providing Public Services. Seems that they should be supported / assisted in regards to the stress / pressures involved / included within that work role.
Ambulance Crews have to deal with Emergencies. Yet some of their work load is caused by some people’s lifestyles, lack of self control, addictions, behaviour, etc. Perhaps some scheme / project :- Which refers these people into programmes which are appropriate and effective. In an attempt to address their behaviour, addiction, etc. As they should be held Responsible for their Actions. Encouraged / Motivated to Change / Improve their Behaviour, Self Control, Deal with their Addiction by Engaging with Health and Social Care Programme.
Work load for those dealing with Emergencies, Incidents, etc :- Surely needs to be minimised. As their Health, Mental Health, Emotional Wellbeing, is Important.