Sleep deprivation contributes to stress

I saw a snippet of a current affair show pointing to how a lack of sleep (say less than the recommended 8 hrs) contributes to high modern stress levels. The same night I got wink eye at 2:30am and woke at 6:30am.

So with my 4 hours of sleep (more likely 3 hrs of real sleep), how did I fair? Well not too bad. I did the “I’ve got everything under control” routine OK, not a great feat considering I’ve had 32 years to practice honing the skill and had gained better results under far worse conditions. I guess I spoke coherently, gauged from not getting too many blank stares and made a little bit of progress on a few work things. So overall, I got through the day without any real hitches.

Although the tell tale sign might have been seeing me staring at the shining lights of a computer screen long enough to merit a badge from NASA (space man). My concentration levels where not really riding the crest, I felt more scattered than usual and more snappy. I guess I really could have done with a Halo Massage (hint).

But it’s no great revelation that a lack of sleep is going to have adverse effects. The trick is how to fit everything in one day without chipping away too much from the recommended 8 hrs. I’ve took it upon myself to follow up (a least bit by bit) all the little “if only I had more time I’d do this and that”, but the result is sometimes a lot less slept.

I’d love to have everything scheduled where I’d have time to do the stuff that inspires me, the stuff I have to do and the sleep I need to recuperate. At the same time I’d like to be able to follow a hunch and sacrifice a few hours sleep to do it. I think it’s a matter of trusting your own instincts. It’s unproductive for instance to be the “thou shalt” guy who locks himself to 8 hours sleep every night, after 8 hours work etc etc – there’s no possibility to go on a whim (an essential part of feeling a sense of freedom I believe). You’d also be ignoring your instincts when you’re continually sleep deprived – it’s a basic human necessity just like relieving your bowels (neither healthy to ignore that necessity for too long… the fixation Freud calls “anal”).

What’s all this about?

The guys at 3 Minute Angels (3MA for short) sometime time ago took an interest in corporate happiness. When I look at the average office worker (like myself, so I should know) often mentally stretched between tasks: the emails that need replying to, things to organise, deadlines to complete and possibly counting down the days before the weekend – its clear some type of reprieve would at least be appreciated. All this mental tension does have the nasty affect of stiffening the body, so the basic formula of the corporate massage is to alleviate this through massage.

The unique thing about 3MA’s Halo Massage is it encourages people to chat, laugh or maybe just let off some verbal steam by not having their face pressed down on a massage chair. With the Halo Massage happening right there in the office space, the general atmosphere and dynamic becomes uplifted. So the guys at 3MA with guidance of The Happiness Institute looked at extending this through use of positive affirmations and documenting the process to happiness (or the state of being happier). For one, employers know that their money is being well spent, but more importantly it gives the individual tangible evidence that his / her general state of being is transforming (for the better).

So with 3MA supporting the idea that happiness is achievable through practical steps, they could see the potential in a blog that explores this idea from a personal perspective.

So will I be getting free Halo Massages everyday? No (but I’m crossing my fingers). Will I be using the The Happiness In Action Cards and the Choose Scale? No, but I will be digesting some positive psychology upheld by The Happiness Institute and writing about it here. Does this work? Yes or maybe no – this is just a part of a journey that is documented here, so I’ll let you decide that as time goes on.