Advice from the Sleep Doctor

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-nightshift24mar24,1,4012956.story?track=rss

This article talks about the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation. There is good evidence that lack of sleep affects one's ability to perform manual, as well as cognitive tasks. Furthermore, it affects one's physical and emotional health. In general, I don't like giving medical advice, but I do agree with this article . . . get some sleep. Most of us need 8- 10 hours of sleep a night. Most of us do not get that, mostly out of our choice. When we do lose sleep, it is important to "pay back" that sleep debt, but that debt can only be paid back to some extent, not all the way. The other important thing is to sleep and wake up the same time every day -have a regular circadian rhythm. It maximizes the sleep that you do get.

Myself, I love sleep. One of my favorite things to do. I even like putting other people to sleep -soothingly, calmly, and deeply. Waking them up is harder, whether it is my patients or my children, but I do like making an art of it. I try to wake them up gradually, in a soft voice -not loudly, abruptly like I have seen my attendings (and my husband) do. There is something very satisfying about having someone wake up very calmly, and feel well rested. Everyone should experience that feeling.

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-nightshift24mar24,1,4012956.story?track=rss