“The birds!” Maya, forty one, proclaims. “There’s no sound I hate more than those blasted birds.”
She’s talking about the dawn chorus. What to some ears is the beautiful, optimistic—if not unearthly early—heralding of dawn breaking is pure hell to Maya. It’s because she suffers from insomnia. Maya feels anything but refreshed and relaxed at six in the morning.
Of course she’s not alone. Fans of 6 am are few. And all of us know what a sleepless night for an un-fun reason is like—indisputably awful. But for one in ten of us—more in the over-sixty-fives—trouble sleeping, night after weary night, is a chronic problem.
It can be a serious one too. For all our science, the precise functions of sleep remain mysterious. But we do understand sleep is a state of consciousness, when we get time to rest and repair our body.
It follows that people who don’t sleep for long enough can become irritable and anxious. This may lead to mental health problems, like depression and alcohol or other drug abuse. There’s also a connection with physical illness. Insomniacs pick up more infections and more worryingly, are more susceptible to cancer and heart disease.
Recently, a link between not getting enough sleep and a doubling in the risk of obesity was established. It’s thought that sleep deprivation can trigger hormonal changes, which in turn, increases appetite.
Apparently, we have many reasons to nurture a long-lasting love affair with our pillows.
Still, the amount of sleep needed varies from person to person. Some of us—famously ex-British Prime Minster Margaret Thatcher—are fine on a frugal four hours a night. Others need seven to nine hours, no question.
But whatever our requirements, when they’re not met there’s a problem. And apart from physical barriers—like noise, uncomfortable bedding, illness, and disturbing partners—experts agree anxiety and stress are what usually keep us awake.
It certainly makes sense to Maya, who as well as being a mother of three is chief colorist and co-owner of a busy hair salon.
“I’m so wound up in the daytime, it’s hard to unwind at night,” she explains. “I lie awake worrying about staff rotas, clients, bank loans, and school pick-ups, even though I know deep down I can cope with them all.
PREVIOUS PAGE
