Sleep is a resource that is given to us to promote natural immunity and healing throughout our bodies. It doesn’t just refuel us for a new day, but it also cleanses our bodies from harmful chemicals, promotes healing, allows increased learning and retention, and relieves stress. Such a powerful resource often gets pressed as the busy-ness of life increases. It is common for Americans to be okay with 4-6 hours of sleep because other activities take priority. But, how much damage is actually being done by chronically depriving ourselves of sleep?
- WHO recommends 8 hours of sleep for adults per night. A very small percentage of the population can healthily survive on 6 hours, but you are more likely to get struck by lightning than have this gene.*
- 2/3 of the adult population fail to get adequate sleep, creating a sleep epidemic.*
- A full 8 hours is important because your bodies immune system acts on multiple REM cycles.*
- Inadequate sleep leads to multiple medical conditions including cancer, Alzheimer’s, Diabetes, obesity, and so many more!*
- In a study conducted in South Korea evaluating the effects of “shift work” or nightshift as we say in America, “65% of CCU nurses reported having trouble staying awake with 20% falling asleep at least once” and “inadequate sleep mimics a BAC of 0.5%- 1.0%” (Min, A. et. al, 2020).
- Dr. Matthew Walker also explains that “after remaining awake for over 15 hours, you are as impaired as a person with a BAC of 0.08%, the legal drinking limit.”
These are just some statistics regarding the importance of sleep hygiene. After reading Matthew Walker’s, Why We Sleep, as well as, conducting my own sleep research, I always prioritize sleep and ensure I get my 8 hours. Prevention over treatment!!
Until next shift,
Shania
References:
Min, A., Hong, H. C., Son, S., & Lee, T. H. (2021). Alertness during working hours among eight‐hour rotating‐shift nurses: An observational study. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 00, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12743–
*Walker, M. P. (2018). Why we sleep: Unlocking the power of sleep and dreams. Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.