Sleep

 Sleep, or rather the lack of it, is currently a theme that is causing sleeplessness. All age groups seem to suffer from various sleep disorders ranging from downright insomnia to sleep apnea, for instance. The causes supposedly are the contemporary life style and stress. People eat, work, live wrongly, and hence sleep hardly, seems to be the diagnosis.

Often it is considered a psychosomatic issue, the psychology, the mind affecting the body, so to say. Many people are intensely competitive. Hence they suffer from jealousies, hatreds, envíes. Such negativities cause sleep disorders, it is believed. 

Age factor seems to matter, too. If the babies sleep almost for twenty hours, many senior citizens seem to manage four hours of sleep. Personally, I do not have any problems or issues with sleep. I doze off within five minutes of hitting the bed. Similarly, I am really fast asleep when I sleep. So I feel relaxed after that break. Moreover, I do not mind either apportioning sleep if some work is urgent nor do I mind a quick siesta if I am hugely tired.

In literature, the best reference to sleep  is in Act II, Scene ii of "Macbeth". The quote runs as follows: "Macbeth does murder sleep - the innocent sleep, Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care, The death of each day's life, sore labor's bath, Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course, chief nourisher in life's feast." 

Clearly does the quote indicate the function of sleep as the much deserved rest from physical and psychological overload. Given this reference to "Macbeth",  it is to be remembered that not only a mind full of stress or negativities but also a mind full of guilt affects sleep. Hence the great sleep-walking scene in the play!

What is the solution to this much prevalent problem? In my opinion, working well and thus being tired is the ideal solution 'coz then the body itself demands and commands sleep. Similarly, instead of worrying over it, it is better to apportion it, if necessary, I suppose. The best solution, I would say, is a contented mindset! 

Pratima@ Want to know what is the best soporific? No, it is not a glass of hot milk, and certainly not the sleeping pills. My suggestion is to keep a book on a subject you find absolutely boring near you bed. When your normal sleep hour approaches, start reading it. Never would you turn a page, right? If you have any doubts regarding the efficacy of this method, remember your student days!