chapter 21

Sleep: A Boon or a Bane?Sleep is a boon for some, and may be a bane for others. For students during their studies, sleep can feel like a curse. But for someone who has succeeded in life, accumulated wealth and assets, sleep is a blessing.Students who are currently studying lament that they can't seem to shake off sleep, while those who have completed their education complain that sleep doesn't come easily when they try to rest.I recall someone mentioning long ago that when they were in college, they suffered from excessive sleepiness. Now, even if they lie down, sleep eludes them."If I had this problem of not getting sleep back then, I might have passed the IAS exam! Because of too much sleep, I fell behind in my studies," they expressed with regret. If only they had slept a little less then, they could have enjoyed that sleep now, couldn't they?There's a saying that the truly happy person is one who falls asleep as soon as they lie down. And a famous proverb states that "one without worries sleeps even in the marketplace."Sleep in Vidura NitiIn the Vidura Niti, which appears in the Udyoga Parva of the Mahabharata, when Vidura visits Dhritarashtra, the first question Dhritarashtra asks is, "I have been suffering from sleeplessness for many days. What is the reason for this?"To this, Vidura replies, "Sleeplessness afflicts those who have made enemies of the powerful, the helpless and weak, those who have lost all their wealth, the lustful, and thieves."Vidura's apt answer back then still seems relevant today, doesn't it? (He didn't include those who chat on mobile phones or those who wake up in the middle of the night at the sound of a 'beep beep' to check messages... because neither mobile phones nor whatsapp existed then.)Sleep in Chanakya NitiChanakya Niti also mentions sleep. Chanakya advises on whom to wake up and whom not to wake up when they are sleeping.  One should never disturb the sleep of a child or a sick person for any reason. However, if someone is sleeping hungry, they should be woken up, offered food, and looked after.And  If a frightened person is asleep, they should be woken up, comforted, and encouraged.Sleep and HealthFor a person to be in good health, getting good sleep every day is essential. While the number of hours one should sleep per day is a matter of personal discretion, based on my experience, five to seven hours of sleep is sufficient for a healthy person.Those who are knowledgeable say that it's a very good habit to sleep before 11 PM and wake up before 5 AM every day.Robin Sharma's "The 5 AM Club"The famous author Robin Sharma, in his English book "The 5 AM Club," beautifully explains the positive energy and transformation that occurs personally and professionally by waking up at 5 AM or even earlier, during the Brahmi Muhurta. People who have the habit of waking up early are said to be very calm and free from any mental stress or confusion. This is because they have three more hours than those who wake up at 8 AM. They can utilize this time however they wish for personal gain. It can be used for exercise, yoga, meditation, writing, reading, positive thinking, increasing knowledge, or learning new things.Daytime Sleep or Naps Are Not GoodHowever, the habit of taking daytime naps is generally not considered good. But if necessary, closing your eyes and resting for a short while while sitting on a chair or sofa after lunch is said to provide some rest to a tired brain.Just as too much in anything is bad, too little or too much sleep is detrimental to health. Doctors say that sleeping more than seven or eight hours is also not good for health. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna also preaches that both excessive sleep and too little sleep are bad.Healthy, natural sleep means falling asleep as soon as you lie down at night and not waking up repeatedly during the night.For Good Sleep... The time you go to bed and wake up should be consistent every day. It's good to wake up at the same time even on Sundays, or at least not sleep more than half an hour extra. If you sleep more than that, it might be difficult to wake up early on Monday morning.  The habit of going to bed early and waking up early is good for both mental and physical health. Waking up before 5 AM is said to be a good habit. Early risers are generally more cheerful and less prone to confusion or anxiety than those who wake up late. This is because they have ample time to prepare for their daily activities, thus avoiding any anxiety. The habit of daytime naps is generally not good for any reason. You should only take a short nap during the day if you've had a very sleepless night, and only if it's absolutely necessary.  If for some reason you don't get proper sleep on a particular day, you shouldn't get anxious. If you sleep well the next day, there's no problem. Sleeplessness is only diagnosed when you continuously experience lack of sleep for several days. Only then might you need to find out the cause and seek treatment. Don't eat till your stomach bursts before sleeping at night.But listen, if you're not getting sleep, don't resort to alcohol. Similarly, taking sleeping pills is also wrong. These are only temporary solutions.Insomnia and Excessive Sleep: Problems and Solutions:There's a simple solution for both these problems:If you're not getting proper sleep, pick up a boring book and read it.If you're sleeping too much, to reduce it, read an intriguing detective novel.But don't read scary ghost stories and invite both problems upon yourself!Snoring ProblemPeople often ask what the solution is if their husband or wife snores loudly, keeping them awake. Generally, it's said that snoring stops if they sleep on their side rather than on their back. Give it a try.I now feel that this "Sleep: A Boon" must have been said for the husband who snores. If you hear him snoring as soon as he lies down, it means he's getting good sleep.Last PunchIn some offices abroad (perhaps in Gulf countries), employees are reportedly told to compulsorily close their eyes and rest for ten to fifteen minutes in their chairs after lunch, and then resume work.However, if this were to be implemented in our country, it might require four or five people just to wake everyone up!CA V. K. S. Shety, Bangalore