- Since times immemorial, every sage advice emanating from the wiser, experienced, mature, and wisdom-filled protagonists has been to stick to a routine, even if it’s boring, to derive benefit for the well-being of our mind and body. It can be physical and/or mental. What medical professionals vouch for is to espouse the virtues of being diligently observant/follow a set routineto reap the benefits of a healthy body and mind. And everyone asserts that sleeping robustly without any disturbances is an extremely critical part of our well-being, ensuring we stay healthy. The body recovers sufficiently and effectively after a good night’s sleep. We have all experienced this, and the medical professionals unequivocally vouch.
PC: Truworth Wellness
- However, the modern-day challenges are manifold, which may not allow people to assiduously follow a set routine that enables them to work/sleep regularly without too much disturbance. As we know, the fast-paced, present-day, cutting-edge technology-driven world is demanding, and the pressure, stress, as well as suffocating deadlines attached to delivering the goods lead to premature burnouts. Of course, we work, have fun late into the night, work again, and stress out our bodies. That’s become the norm of late. We aren’t infinitely adaptable, though. On weekdays, we wake up to a shrill alarm. On weekends, we sleep in late. This is the latest fad about us living our best life. Except, is our body protesting? Is the office on Monday full of pain? You bet it.
PC: Tom’s Guide
- Most of us would agree in unison that no amount of coffee gets rid of the brain fog or nagging headache. Or irritability and heartburn. Interestingly, these are all symptoms of jet lag. We haven’t travelled across continents. But our body experiences the difference in sleep timings between weekdays and weekends as if it were hurtling through time zones. Travel-induced jet lag is a short-term problem. Social jet lag, on the other hand, can be chronic. Tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen, pour ourselves a cup of ambition, and yawn and stretch and try to come to life – that, Dolly Parton sang, is how the 9 to 5 day begins. Sometimes, it’s even 9 to 9. So, Friday night we let loose. Maybe laugh with friends well past midnight, to feel connected.
PC: Sleepopolis
- Or is it to start a conversation? Yes, dinner parties, dancing, movies, OTT binging – the list is not exhaustive. The scientists who have diagnosed social jet lag for us also have some good ideas for healing it. Minimize circadian disruptions. One late night here and one short sleep there is OK, but avoiding yo-yoing all the time is relevant. Remember, zzzing until 2pm makes the jet lag far worse. While humans have evolved to be able to live in a broad range of environments, we are not infinitely adaptable. Let’s listen to our bodies emanating subtle signals more attentively and not abuse them at all without indulging in excesses. Indubitably, we all wish to lead a healthy life bereft of seething medical challenges. And sleep is a necessity to ensure the same. Period.
