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Summary of the Article
The primary purpose of the article by the American Heart Association is to examine the causes, dangers, risk factors, and possible treatment of sleep deprivation. The article describes sleep deprivation as the condition of not having enough night rest or sleep. According to the article, some of the signs of sleep deprivation include daytime fatigue, frequent yawning, excessive sleepiness characterized by heavy eyelids, short attention span, and irritability (The American Heart Association, 2020). Insufficient sleep can trigger multiple healthcare problems such as obesity, stroke and Alzheimers disease. The article cites a 2018 study on the perceived risks of experiencing a night of sleep deprivation. According to the study, inadequate sleep can lead to the accumulation of beta-amyloid, increasing the risk of Alzheimers disease (The American Heart Association, 2020). The article cited another study that established that people who slept fewer hours were more likely to accumulate more body mass index, triggering obesity.
Another 2018 research revealed that sleep deprivation had a 20% risk of health attack. Other potential risks of less sleep include Type 2 diabetes, depression, workplace accidents, and car crashes. Therefore, the article recommends proper diagnosis and treatment of common sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome (The American Heart Association, 2020). The article further recommends the maintenance of good sleep hygiene and stable night schedules. For instance, people should avoid staring at their phones or computers before bedtime. Checking emails and thinking about the next days activities may trigger some stress and disrupt sleep signals. Avoiding beverages such as coffee late in the night and proper work-life balance are other potential solutions to sleep deprivation (The American Heart Association, 2020). Overall, the article encourages individuals to view adequate sleep as a critical factor in realizing their productivity and potential.
Consciousness and the Two-track mind
David Myerss book examines various issues and concepts related to sleep deprivation. Some of these concepts include brain states and consciousness, sleep and dreams, and drugs and consciousness. For instance, Myers defines consciousness as individuals awareness of themselves and their environments. Conscious people can cope up with their situations using cognitive perceptions, memories, language, and attitudes. Consciousness can also promote parallel processing of important information, increasing a persons ability to solve pertinent problems (Myers, 2009). However, according to the article by the American Heart Association, sleep deprivation can decrease individuals brain states and consciousness by affecting their mental alertness and cognitive functions. The brain cells may fail to communicate effectively because of less sleep, leading to temporary mental lapses and unconsciousness.
According to the section on sleep and dreams, individuals seem to process most information outside the conscious awareness when they sleep. Myers argues that people cycle through five distinct sleep stages every 90 minutes. Under stages 1-2, peoples brain enters a theta activity (daydreaming) region when they sleep. They may experience fascinating images occurring without their sensory stimulus. Stages 3 to 4 represent deep sleep characterized by rapid and irregular breathing, increased heart rate, and rapid brain waves (Myers, 2009). An individual experiences Rapid Eye Movements and vivid dreams during the last stage of sleep. Therefore, remaining awake for several days can disrupt individuals sleep patterns because of the reduction in immune functions and concentration levels. Similarly, according to the chapter, fatigue, impaired concentration, emotional irritability, depressed immune system, and greater vulnerability are some of the common signs of sleep deprivation.
Different theoretical arguments examined in this chapter further expose the perceived dangers of sleep deprivation. For instance, sleep can help restore and repair individuals brain tissues. According to Myers, adequate sleep allows the resting neurons to repair themselves. Adequate sleep can also help restore and rebuild peoples fading memories. Individuals can consolidate their memories and reactivate their recent experiences while sleeping (Myers, 2009). Sleep also promotes creative thinking, especially during dreaming episodes. Myers further argues that enough sleep plays a critical role in the growth and development processes. Specifically, sleep triggers the release of growth hormones by the pituitary glands. Thus, less sleep implies a slower growth process and a dramatic reduction in a persons athletic ability. Myers further examines some of the consequences of sleep loss (Myers, 2009). For instance, sleep deprivation can cause depression, difficulty studying, reduced productivity, fatigue, weight gain, and irritability. Inadequate sleep may also suppress individuals immune cells slowing reactions to different opportunistic conditions.
The chapter further suggests various solutions to sleep deprivation or natural sleep aids. For instance, Myers suggests regular exercise late in the afternoon as a critical natural sleep aid. The author also recommends that people should avoid caffeine and food near bedtime, relax before bedtime, and sleep on a regular schedule. Myers further argues that repeated misuse of drugs such as cocaine can lead to sleep deprivation (Myers, 2009). For instance, drug addicts can experience insomnia, a common sleep disorder making it hard for them to fall asleep.
Reaction to the Article/Topic
The article by Myers describes sleep as a critical component of individuals overall health and wellness. According to the article, adequate sleep is vital in promoting the repair of different parts of the body system. Thus, I believe that any disruption of sleep patterns can affect individuals emotional and physical health and stability. Night sleep is an opportunity for individuals to rest their minds and bodies.
After reading Myers article, I now understand the critical role of sleep in individuals physical and mental wellbeing. Having adequate night sleep can promote proper functioning of the body system, while sleep deprivation can trigger irritability and disoriented performances. I also learned that chronic sleep deprivation could weaken individuals immune systems making them susceptible to other opportunistic conditions such as obesity and diabetes. Related conditions such as insomnia can reduce ones ability to perform activities of daily living or manage stressful events (Myers, 2009). Therefore, we should struggle to improve the quality of our sleep to have perfect psychological and physical health. Moreover, people experiencing extreme cases of sleep deprivation should seek specialist health to enhance the quality of their sleep.
Getting adequate sleep in todays busy society may seem like a luxury to most people. However, according to psychologists, sleep is a necessity vital to individuals health, safety, and overall wellness. Adequate sleep can recharge the brain region, allowing it to learn and retrieve important memories. Sleep deprivation can promote poor work-related performances, mood changes, and relationship problems (Myers, 2009). Thus, according to psychologists, accurate assessment of various behavioral, psychological, and physiological factors can facilitate the proper diagnosis of the disorder. Psychologists encourage people to avoid patterns of behaviors that can interfere with their good sleep habits such as watching TV late at night. The behavioral experts could also help people to change some of these behaviors through effective management of their negative thought patterns, feelings, and emotions that can affect their healthy nights sleep. In working with psychologists, sleep-deprived individuals should expect to identify any underlying stressors and behaviors affecting their standard sleep patterns. The professionals may also seek information about the clients daily routines and other related behaviors. For example, psychologists would discourage habits such as watching TV in bed or exercising at night.
The article and the reading by Myers further provide accurate information that can help transform unhealthy behaviors and improve sleep patterns. For instance, we should create relaxing sleep environments by reducing exposure to disruptive objects such as TV screens and phones. We should also design proper sleep schedules to maintain a regular night sleep routine. For example, we should limit late afternoon naps for adequate nighttime slumber. I have also learned that late-night meals and alcohol consumption can affect sleep quality. Curbing nicotine and caffeine use and maintaining a regular exercise routine will improve our sleep quality (Myers, 2009). We should have a broad understanding of sleep cycles and sleep changes to help solve the problem of sleep deprivation. Overall, enhancing the quality of sleep can promote good psychological and physical health. We should eliminate distractions such as noise, light, unhealthy eating and drinking patterns, proper exercise routines, and room temperature to improve the quality of our sleep. Individuals should seek relevant help from relevant behavioral health specialists to control the mental and physical impacts of sleep deprivation.
Reference
Myers, D. G. (2019). Exploring psychology (11th ed.). Macmillan.
The American Heart Association. (2020). The dangers of sleep deprivation. Heart Organization. Web.
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