JAY JOSHI
It is said that the quality of life in today’s world is higher than ever before. We live in advanced times where technology can accomplish any task, but life today is also quite fast-paced, and we might be losing one of the most important and simple element of life: sleep. The world is set to observe International Day of Sleep on March 15. A number of studies have established that Indians are among the most sleep-deprived people in the world. So, the fact that we don’t sleep enough has been established, but why do we not sleep? In that, what are some of the most intriguing distractions that we encounter?
For a number of youth, it is the late night internet-surfing.
“Yes, I know it is a serious issue” concedes Pranav, a young engineer from Bicholim who is now in Pune. In his early 20s, Pranav knows that he should not stay up late at night, given that he has to go to work the next morning, but he blames the circumstances for his plight.“I enjoy watching movies and playing computer games, but after I come home from office, I have to spend some time with the family; talk to parents and sister. I do not find time for myself. Thus, there is no other option than trying to squeeze in my personal time and space into late night.”
For Elizabeth Pierce, a student from Merces, the problem takes a different appearance. “I usually get a sound eight-hour sleep, but I stay up late at night when working on projects.” She is currently working as an intern, and adds that it has not affected her sleep, perhaps because she is not facing pressure associated with a regular job.
Mayura Kulkarni, an HR officer from Sindhudurg says that we are perhaps missing the key ingredient to induce sleep: tiredness. “When I was a student, I did a lot of physical activity. Now, I work for a foreign company who provide quite comfortable working space and my job is sedentary. There is barely any physical activity, and this has also taken a toll on my hunger” she elaborates. “Similarly, the day is very predictable. It is neither depressing, nor exciting, so there is a strange kind of frustration settling on one’s mind. I spend nights thinking how life has become and how to break out of this”
While frustration keeps Kulkarni awake at night, media professional Pramod Kandolkar from Pernem, spends his time fueling ambition. “Right from the time when I was young, I wanted to do a lot of things and make it big in life. So, I began a side-business along with my job,” states Kandolkar. When he was young, he could take the strain of living a double life, but now in his late thirties, it is beginning to affect his health, admits Kandolkar. “I am aware that I am paying for my success with my health, but with developments such as marriage and family, one has to rise to take up the responsibilities,” avers Kandolkar.
Hrudaynath Shirodkar, a lawyer from Ponda,however, does not feel the same. “Many say that law is a profession that brings pressure, but I go to bed in time, and get sound sleep. I believe the key is to have a strong mind that can tackle the pressure of work,” says Shirodkar, who practices criminal law. He also adds that it is important to maintain proper work-life balance.
A number of respondents we spoke to stated that not having time to pursue their hobbies, passions or professions was one of the main reasons of sleep deprivation, while for other it was stress from things such as issues in work or personal life. One of the reasons cited was breakup. The person stated that while he keeps himself busy with work during the day, the memories of his ex make it difficult for him to sleep at night. Confronting an empty mind it was his biggest problem, he stated under the condition of anonymity.
