Catching some Z’s?

No Gravatar

About 1/6 of us feel that we do not get sufficient sleep.  Now, that’s the data- and I can’t figure out quite how that was derived- but it seems that someone told the subjects they needed 8 hours of sleep- which predicated that answer.

However, about 37% of the respondents (12 state test, 74571 respondents) reported falling asleep unintentionally at least once in the past month, with more than 43% of those 18-25 and those over 65 reporting this fact.  Worse, more than 3% reported nodding off while driving in the past month.

2009 Study on Sleep Deprivation

Obviously, there is a sleep debt among large portions of our population.  Many think that they can “catch up” on this debt by making a “deposit” on Saturday or Sunday morning.   And, if it is an infrequent occurrence, they are probably right.  And, it is also possible to sleep a little longer for a few days (say 10 hours for three days) and then handle a sleep deprivation period.  But, if there is a chronic sleep debt they are simply out of luck.  When you try to sleep longer with that problem, you end up making the situation worse.

The data indicates if you are sleep deprived during the week and then sleep until noon or later on weekends, then the body considers itself suffering from the equivalent of “jet lagged”.   It’s as if you have crossed five or six time zones- and you know what that feels like!  (If you never have experienced that- you will feel groggy and headache-y.)

A better approach to avoid sleep deprivation is to routinely nap.  Many researchers believe that a nap at the same time every day is best.  And, the duration should be 20 to 25 minutes for the nap.  (The body prefers routines; it is more efficient when that is the situation.)

Another factor that sets up how we respond to sleep and sleep deprivation is whether one is a lark or an owl (day or night person).  Night owls handle unusual schedules more readily than the larks, who can’t sleep much past dawn.

On the other hand, I am fairly certain that 8 hours works for me.  Ever since I’ve been very young, I routinely got two sleep cycles (3 to 3.5 hours) and occasionally 3 (4.5 to 5 hours) a night.  But, if I find that my mind is dragging (I use Scrabble and crossword puzzles as tests), I schedule a nap for that day. (It often means I may be “coming down with something”.  And, I’m not too proud to take a 15 to 20 minute nap in my car, if I feel that my reaction times are not up to snuff when I am driving somewhere.)

What about you- are you ready for your nap?

Share this:
Share this page via Email Share this page via Stumble Upon Share this page via Digg this Share this page via Facebook Share this page via Twitter
Share

12 thoughts on “Catching some Z’s?”

  1. “Fatigue is an occupational hazard of parenting. I find driving in mid-afternoon the toughest. Were I so lucky as to fall asleep, intentionally or not, during the day (not while driving).”

  2. I will be ready for my nap in about 2 hours (that mid afternoon period that just seems to kill me). Interesting post because I had wondered if the occasional nap I take (sometimes early eve) is bad for me. No way I could schedule a regular nap but when I get one it certainly does help!

    1. See. I have special powers, Alessa…
      I can determine your questions before you vocalize (or write) them :-)..
      Seriously, though, I’m glad I was able to answer your question. Thanks for the visit- and the query!

  3. I’ve read that driving while sleep deprived is just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Scary. I have learned how to cat-nap over the last couple of years. I have to set an alarm so as not to sleep for too long. If I nap for more than 30-40 minutes, I feel sick the rest of the day.
    Suerae Stein recently posted..1970s TV Flashback

    1. I don’t know if that is true, Suerae, but I won’t doubt it. That is why I always insure that I am wide awake while driving. And, won’t hesitate to pull over and take a nap to insure that I am at the top of my game while driving.

  4. Some days I think I would love to be able to be a person who can take a nap. I can’t though, unless I am coming down with something, and even then it’s rare. Once up, I’m up no matter when I wake up. That said, taking care of someone who was terminal and then grief royally screwed my sleeping patterns for a long time. I tend toward insomnia anyway, but it was ridiculous for a while. Doing MUCH better these days. Napping though, even 15 or 20 minutes..usually puts me up for another 8 to 10 hours (unless I’m super sick or on some kind of powerful meds). I do know and notice the younger generation, at least the ones I know, either “grab” 10 hours a day or nap an hour every day. Which, I’ve found odd since when I was in my teens and twenties I had energy to spare. Good article my dear. I’ll sleep on it and tell ya what I think later 😉
    Lisa recently posted..I Am Not For Sale by Lisa Brandel

    1. Long naps are the equivalent of short sleeps, Lisa…And, it’s not clear they do anything (it’s like putting 10 cents in the bank- it’s there, but useless…)
      Short naps (15 minutes of actually napping, which can take about 25 minutes) are restorative.

Comments are closed.