The restless modern world demands humans remain awake and match the pace. But at what price? In contemporary times, there is a troublesome pattern of individuals getting less sleep compared to previous generations, primarily attributed to the widespread impact of technology, heightened stress, busy lifestyles and a shift towards unconventional work hours. This trend has significantly affected people’s physical health, mental well-being, and general productivity.
The fast-paced and demanding modern lifestyle leaves individuals with limited time for rest. Due to the expectation of constant availability, financial pressures, and materialistic dreams, sleep is sacrificed in the chase of success. These non-traditional schedules drive individuals to work longer hours and take on additional tasks, disturbing the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. Unlike in the past, when people prioritized sleep and even took afternoon naps during work hours, society now considers less sleep compulsory for goal achievement.
To keep up with these demands, people opt to consume artificial stimulants like coffee or tea. Caffeinated beverages and energy drinks are readily available, allowing people to intake them at an unregulated level and push their bodies beyond healthy limits. Research on the effects of caffeine on sleep and cognition found these “mild stimulants” to be detrimental in the long run, causing daytime sleepiness and exhaustion. Unfortunately, a shot of espresso to keep the eyes wide open is the go-to in this contemporary world where sleep is seen as a weakness.
In addition, stress itself is an obstacle in the face of relaxation. The fact is, modern humans are turning into anxious puppets. Be it related to work, studies, or personal life, stress can cause racing thoughts leading to anxiety and difficulty falling asleep, even when feeling physically tired. In a study concerning causes of sleep deprivation, college students overwhelmingly stated that emotional and academic stress negatively impacted sleep. Furthermore, these factors caused individuals to wake up frequently during the night or struggle to go back to sleep after waking, leading to fragmented and less restorative sleep.
Another major reason for reduced sleep is the prevalence of technology. The energy consumption of these devices is not limited to electricity; they feed on a person’s sleep like a leech. The excessive use of smartphones, computers, and televisions exposes individuals to blue light, which disrupts ‘melatonin’ production, the sleep-inducing hormone. This makes falling asleep harder and leads to a shorter sleep duration. Moreover, constant connectivity through social media and accessibility of streaming platforms for movies and series keeps people engaged late into the night. Consequently, ‘one last episode’ turns into binge-watching an entire series and a sleepless night.
As a result of inadequate sleep, humans have lost their natural essence. Corresponding less sleep to being productive has backfired and is catching up in the form of low mental functioning. A study concerning effects of sleep deprivation on body, brain, and behavior shows that deficits associated with insufficient or fragmented sleep include greater sleepiness, impaired alertness and memory, mood degradation, and changes to brain activity and metabolism. Besides, it can lead to emotional instability, irritability, and a higher likelihood of experiencing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. For instance, a sleep-deprived student looks lousy, may not be able to concentrate in class, and faces scolding from teachers. This subsequently leads to irritation, broken relationships, and a lonely self. Moreover, chronic sleep deprivation is also associated with an increased risk of various health problems, including obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and a weakened immune system.
Considering these hazards, the decline in sleep is a multidimensional issue with broad consequences. Sleep is a biological necessity not achieved by material luxury but by a genuinely satisfied state of mind. Sleepless nights don’t measure significant success. All we need is relaxed, refreshed, and well-functioning cognitive abilities without losing our spirits in this restless modernity.
Sneha Khadka is a BA 3rd year Psychology and Social Work student at St Xavier’s College, Maitighar, Kathmandu.
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