‘Eat less to sleep more,” says an old Arab proverb. And if we tweak this pearl of wisdom to take our modern times into account, we can add: work less, text less, check your smartphones and social media less, stress less, do less of everything so you can sleep more.
There is no shame in sleep, yet there is this strange need to always be doing something.
Whenever we find ourselves having a bit of time when nothing is scheduled – and even that is rare – there is this compulsion to do something “useful”, “productive” or whatever, with sleep given a low priority. I find this especially prevalent among women, who not only work and take care of a home and their families but also help others and constantly take on new projects.
And yet somehow they feel guilty if they are not there for everyone else.
It is common sense to say that sleep is important. We see how cranky, ill, unproductive and less social we become if we go about our days having had less sleep than we should. Yet, it seems we need a “revolution” to remind us of the importance of sleep.
“We are in the midst of a sleep deprivation crisis,” writes Arianna Huffington, the co-founder and editor in chief of The Huffington Post, in The Sleep Revolution, her latest book.
Her book strikes a chord as so many people are struggling either with insomnia or just don’t sleep enough because their lives are too hectic.
Truly, a lack of good sleep has a profound effect on all aspects of life – including relationships and our happiness.
We should heed her call to “renew” our relationship with sleep, so that we can take back control of our lives.
From apps that monitor our sleep to special teas that are supposed to help you get some shut-eye, there are all sorts of tools that target those who can’t get a good night’s rest. It’s a big market, actually.
Studies have shown that falling asleep with the TV on leads to depression and a growing body of research shows that checking your smartphone right before sleep also leads to insomnia, fatigue and poorer quality rest.
We are designed to sleep in complete darkness and in a quiet environment, so the last thing the brain needs as it is trying to shut down is light from digital screens or those notification sounds when a message arrives or even that last message you read that leaves you thinking as you turn off your bedside light.
Clearing one’s mind is critical to falling asleep peacefully, so too is finding the right temperature for your bedroom, as well as the right bed, sheets and pillow.
I have found out recently that one of the things I was doing wrong is sleeping without a pillow. It was straining my neck and back, and since I have found the “right shaped” pillow, I have noticed a big difference.
The best advice I have ever received was from some tribal elders, who told me that the reason they were healthy and fit was because their diet consisted of light, healthy food, that they maintained a positive attitude and also made sure to get lots of sleep.
“We nap in the afternoon. We also sleep early and wake up early,” said one 80-year-old elder, who still treks up mountainous terrain in Fujairah. He also delivered a great one-liner: “Sleep is the best Botox for the whole body.” I was surprised he even knew about Botox, but I guess wise old men know everything.
It was common when I was growing up for people to say they needed their “beauty sleep” and we know that getting enough sleep is important for both beauty and health.
It may be a bit difficult to convince your boss that you are heading home for your important “beauty nap” during the hottest hours of the day, but we can do our best to try to get to bed early and give ourselves that extra half-hour before sleep when you just wind down.
Doing nothing is everything when it comes to our health and mindfulness.
rghazal@thenational.ae
On Twitter: @arabianmau
How to become a Boglehead
Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.
• Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.
• Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.
• Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.
• Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.
• Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.
• Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.
• Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don't try to second-guess them.
• Stick with it. Do not sell up in a market crash. Use the opportunity to invest more at the lower price.
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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The 24-man squad:
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Koen Casteels (VfL Wolfsburg).
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham), Thomas Meunier (Paris Saint-Germain), Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham), Dedryck Boyata (Celtic), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Axel Witsel (Tianjin Quanjian), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Nacer Chadli (West Bromwich Albion), Leander Dendoncker (Anderlecht), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Youri Tielemans (Monaco), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur).
Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea/Dortmund), Yannick Carrasco (Dalian Yifang), Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad), Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United), Dries Mertens (Napoli).
Standby player: Laurent Ciman (Los Angeles FC).
Donating your hair
• Your hair should be least 30 cms long, as some of the hair is lost during manufacturing of the wigs.
• Clean, dry hair in good condition (no split ends) from any gender, and of any natural colour, is required.
• Straight, wavy, curly, permed or chemically straightened is permitted.
• Dyed hair must be of a natural colour
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Jawan
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'Champions'
Director: Manuel Calvo
Stars: Yassir Al Saggaf and Fatima Al Banawi
Rating: 2/5
The%20specs
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Klopp at the Kop
Matches 68; Wins 35; Draws 19; Losses 14; Goals For 133; Goals Against 82
- Eighth place in Premier League in 2015/16
- Runners-up in Europa League in 2016
- Runners-up in League Cup in 2016
- Fourth place in Premier League in 2016/17