Insomnia(Sleeplessness)-Complications and Preventions

This is a continuation of the discussion I started few days ago.You can read the first part here.I will like to highlight some of the complications of insomnia and how to prevent it today.

COMPLICATIONS OF INSOMNIA
1) Lower performance on the job or at school: It is not unexpected for people who have not had enough good sleep to be drowsy either while at work or in class.

2)Slowed reaction time while driving and a higher risk of accident:Reaction time is the amount of time which one takes to react to certain stimuli.It involves receiving,processing and reacting to the stimuli.All these processes are effected within milliseconds!Lack of sleep slows down this reaction time and can lead to accidents on the highways.

3)Chronic insomnia could predispose sufferers to mental health disorders such as depression,anxiety disorder etc.

4)Increased risk and severity of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

5)Obesity: Obesity is more prevalent in adults with insomnia who sleep less than six hours per night, and growing evidence points to an association between insufficient sleep and childhood obesity.

PREVENTION

Good sleep habits are sine qua non to insomnia but most times it is advisable to consult your doctor who may prescribe some medications in addition to the following preventive measures:

Make your bedroom comfortable.Be sure that it is dark, quiet, and not too warm or too cold.Sleeping with lights on (esp bright ones) may impair sleep.

Have bedtime rituals/habits that can relax your body, such as taking a warm bath or listening to soft music.

Activities that can either cause panic attacks or disturbing should be avoided before bedtimes.Social media updates might not be your ‘good friends’ during bedtimes.

Avoid or limit naps:Try not to take naps during the day, because naps may make you less sleepy at night.

Avoid large meals and beverages before bedtime:Eating heavy meal late in the day may cause sleeplessness.

Avoid or limit caffeine and alcohol, and don’t use nicotine.I highlighted their effects in the first article on insomnia.

For those having difficulty initiating sleep they may avoid prolonged use of phones before bed so it is better they put off all screens(TV,smartphones) at least an hour before bed.This is because electronic screens emit blue lights that impair sleepiness.

If you are being treated for certain ailment,please check the medication leaflet if insomnia is written on it as a possible side effect.This might be contributory to your sleeplessness.

Anyways, someone is out there going through tough times and all these preventive measures seem to be thrash to the person.It is assumed that having a good night rest would be the last thing in the mind of someone who has lost a loved one,or is going through divorce process,or who has just lost his job.

While I agree that such experiences could be devastating,I bring to you the panacea: CAST YOUR WORRIES ON CHRIST!

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”-1Peter 5:7

“Throw the whole of your anxiety upon Him, because He Himself cares for you.”(Weymouth Bible)

Yes! yes!! yes!!! Throw those anxious thoughts on Him.Why? Two reasons actually:

1)He cares for you and

2)”Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”-Luke 12:25

“Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his height?”(New Heart English Bible)

Jesus is saying that being anxious does not make you to be creative.It kills your creativity! Also,getting worried is not a profitable venture!If at all you won’t sleep at night,getting worried should not be the reason! It can’t add a single naira or dollar to your savings! I would rather you keep a vigil to pray or do night shift work that can add something to your life than getting robbed of sleep by anxiety!

Today,I pray that the peace of God will reign in your life.Every confusion that robs you of your deserved rest is taken away in Jesus’ name and: “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.The Lord be with you all.”-2 Thess 3:16.

Shalom.