The Science of Sleep - 2

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Source : www.awgp.org www.awgpsouth.org

Author : Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya

Dear ALL,

 

 

*The Science of Sleep-2*

In this wonderful creation of God there are many creatures who do not

sleep at all and yet remain healthy and happy, and are able to perform all

their activities perfectly well. Ants do not sleep; nor do blackbucks, and

antelopes. Horses take their nap in standing postures. There have been some

humans too who did not sleep in their entire lives. There is a case of one

particular lawyer who never slept right from his childhood to death.

Contrariwise, there is a 'Kumbhakarni sleep.' Kumbhakaran, a character in

the Ramayan, used to sleep for six months at a stretch. These are some of

the puzzling aspects of sleep which yet remain unsolved.

 

The yogic concept is that sleep undergoes a transformation at the apex level

of Samadhi. Here occurs the final resolution of sleep, which comes as a

climax of the yogic progression. But where is its starting point? Which are

the factors which hamper sleep, and which ones are helpful? Modern

psychologists are making inroads into the hidden layers of sleep and have

come out with interesting results. According to them excessive brooding is

inimical to sleep, and so is negative thinking.

 

Lack of sleep is extremely injurious to mental and physical health.

Statistics reveal that one sleepless night reduces work efficiency by the

same extent as is caused by high level of alcohol in blood. Lack of sleep

disturbs the rhythm of internal biological cycle and the body consequently

is restricted to utilize only 60 – 75% of its capacity. One sleepless night

can bring about a reduction of up to 30% in our thinking capacity. Inability

to take a correct decision, irritability, uncontrolled anger, temporary

lapses of memory – all these are some other ill-effects of insomnia.

 

Prolonged lack of sleep has a direct bearing on diseases like heart aliment,

hypertension, diabetes etc. In extreme cases, even sudden cardiac arrest may

occur. Lack of sleep means metabolic and hormonal imbalance. It results in

obesity, acidity and even ulcers. The immune system is weakened, and the

body falls prey to many kinds of viral and other infections. According to

doctors, pain below the waist and headache are a result of insufficient

sleep. It slows down the reaction to situations of depression, frustration

and anxiety. Continued lack of sleep puts the nervous system in a high state

of agitation. It hampers the functioning of neurotransmitters and thereby

starts a cycle of multiple nervous and mental disorders with serious

complications. Not only the lack but also the excess of sleep is harmful.

Studies show that women who oversleep damage the functioning of their

hearts. During sleep, the coronary veins shrink and its excess may invite

cardiac arrest.

 

Researchers of the Harvard Medical School claim to have identified the

precise link in the chemical chain that regulates the sleep cycle of the

body. This is the T.G.F. Alpha chemical found in either side of the brain.

The leader of this research team says that the sensors in hypothalamus catch

signals from not only the brain but also retina of the eyes. This is because

T.G.F. Alpha is formed in the retina too. Its implication is that the

quantum of light that enters the eye, and its duration both affect the

biological clock of the body. For this reason the sleeping-waking pattern

keeps changing with the gradual change in seasons.

 

We can rid ourselves of the problem of insomnia by a proper understanding of

the art of living. If the life style is orderly, food and diet is satwik,

and thinking is positive there will not be any problem of sleep. What is

more, with the help of various techniques of yoga sleep can even be mastered

and harnessed into some extraordinary uses.