by Xavier Grey

Created on: July 17, 2008

There is no way of determining how much sleep is needed for people in a general sense. A commonly accepted amount between six and eight hours is often suggested; though it varies a great deal depending on the person in question. However, it is abundantly clear that an inadequacy in regard to sleep, and the subsequent effects of a sleep deficit, can be very debilitating, even if the actual amount needed varies greatly. Impaired mental awareness, slowed physical reactions, and a diminished capacity for tolerance for co-workers, and family members,are just a few examples as to how a person can expect to be effected by sleep deprivation.

The real irony is that stress often leads to insomnia; and insomnia often leads to an increased level of stress. The vicious cycle that ensues within a person becomes incapable of overcoming an inability to sleep is pervasive. Sleep deprivation has the capacity to impact virtually every aspect of a person's conscious life, and also has severe implications subconsciously.

With a reduced ability to process information, coupled with insufficient energy levels, a person is going to find themselves struggling to make it through the course of a day. Sleep deprivation results in distraction, detachment, and when taken to extremes, delusion. The workaholic's creed "I'll sleep when I'm dead" is something I personally have been inclined to say at times. And even now, at 4:27 in the morning, I realize that I am literally the voice of experience when it comes to a lack of sleep.

There are techniques, as well as sleep aids, which can be utilized to achieve a state of unconsciousness. I personally prefer to use techniques; meditation is calming, and can be coupled with white noise, or other ambient sounds; somehow these things lure the sleepless mind into a state of rest. Sleeping pills are not at all uncommon, but even those least likely to result in chemical dependency have the potential to be abused. Whether it's ritualistic habit, or chemically based, dependency is what it is, and is best if avoided.

A systematic approach applied for the sake of dealing with the contributing factors that keep you from reaching that elusive state of slumber is something I would recommend. If stress is the underlying reason, the stress should be addressed, and remedied whenever possible. Whether it's work related, or personal in nature, stress itself is unavoidable. However, one can develop methods for dealing with it. Treatment of sleep disorders requires adaptation to individual needs, on a contextually appropriate basis. Breathing exercises and visualization are both effective techniques. If all else fails, treat every day like it's Thanksgiving. Have some turkey, and try to watch a football game. It's guaranteed to put even the most animated individual into a Tryptophan induced coma for at least a few hours.

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