It was a few months after I finished my university education. I was young and ready to face any challenge. As part of the rudiments, I was posted to the countryside where life was a little bit slower. Life was very different to what I was used to. Transportation was one of the huge problems. I spoke a different language from what people in this community spoke. I dressed differently and the food was an adventure.
With my new found freedom and the opportunity presented before me, I got lost in my new found world. I threw myself into the community service, working with people and helping others. It felt good to be appreciated. To be seen and to be respected. I was part of the advisory committee and being young and fresh from university my knowledge and expertise seemed unique enough to guide the decision of the elders of the community. It was right enough to augment the basic understanding of the board of elders.
I became a bit popular than I had ever been in my entire life. With this miniature fame came free foods and host of helping hands from the entire community. I was working round the clock, but, it was great. I knew I was over stretching, but, I still kept going. I was on top of my game.
One day, as I returned home from work, I felt a bit tired. The sun was in the middle of the sky, scorchingly hot. The road was thirsty and dusty. As I managed to drag myself to my little room, the only thing on my mind was my bed. I felt the unbridled lust to sleep. I bolted the door and flung myself on my bed. Sleep. Good old sleep.
I had no knowledge of how long I have been sleeping for, but, when I opened my eyes, I saw my roommate and a group of people through the window screaming my name. It felt like a dream at first and I was confused. I turned around and the vision became clearer.
It turned out I had been sleeping for many hours, my roommates had tried all she could to get in but couldn’t. The whole community came to her aid, but, nothing worked. They tried the window as my bed was closer to the window, but, I was still deep in sleep. The decision was then made to break the door open as their worries heightened. No one knew if I was alive or dead. I slept my ways through the banging and screaming.
I felt embarrassed when I eventually awoke. For days, I covered myself in shame. For weeks, people related to me how they tried to wake me up. I heard stories of how each individual contributed to the task. How they all worked together as a team and how happy they were that I eventually woke up.
Amidst all, I learnt a big lesson. I learnt that every part of me has a right and not giving my body what it needs at the right time is calling for destruction. Sacrificing sleep is never an honour. Sleep is inevitable.
Sometimes, we over-indulge in our success, chores, works, possessions and so on. Our sleep suffers and the consequence of sleep deprivation is more than the bags under our eyes. Sleep deprivation causes low metabolism, serious health risk, forgetfulness, clumsiness just to mention a few.
The amount of sleep needed by individuals varies. It is recommended that adults should get between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, however, the quality of the sleep is what matters, not, the numbers.
If you find it difficult to fall asleep, you might need to review how you spend your day both at work and at home. Napping in the afternoon is a great way to catch up on lost sleep. Building a routine might also help. Dim light and comfortable beds might also come handy. Switching off ( from phones, computers, online gossips etc) is a major improvement and a great solution to sleep deprivation.
I am again at a stage in my life where I struggle to get enough sleep due to challenges and personal commitments. This is a reminder of what I experienced. Our bodies have rights over us.
What do you think?
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Awesome write up and soon true.