Maintaining the Cycle Sleep isn’t laziness, it’s essential for healing, dreaming and reversing the effects of aging.
In today’s society, sleep has become a neglected aspect of our lives. Historically, ancient texts emphasized the importance of balance, including sleep. Be it eating, sleeping, or recreation — as a way to mitigate suffering. Yet, modern society seems to have moved away from this wisdom.
The rise of hustle culture has glorified working long hours, equating it with success. People believe hard work alone drives achievement. Working excessively, without rest, can lead to stress, cardiovascular problems, and even mental issues. Balance is critical for a healthy life.
What we need to understand is that we have an autonomic nervous system that consists of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The parasympathetic system helps us get adequate rest, digest food, and benefit from sleep, while the sympathetic system activates our cardiovascular system. These two systems must be in balance. When one dominates excessively, it leads to stress. With over-activation of sympathetic nervous system, you get cardiovascular stress, high blood pressure and heart attacks. An overactive parasympathetic system could even lead to cancer. Sleep deficiency is a pervasive issue that often goes unnoticed.
Sleep is also crucial for reverse aging. The best remedies aren’t expensive drugs but simple practices like sleeping well, exercising, and eating right. Yet, we’ve turned inadequate sleep into a badge of honor. Statements like ‘I sleep only four hours a night’ aren’t celebrated, but they should be seen as red flags for poor mental and physical health.
For working professionals, eight hours of sleep at night is non-negotiable. The quality of sleep matters too — going to bed early, ideally around 9 or 10 pm, allows for the most restorative rest. Taking short midday breaks or practicing yoga nidra can further enhance recovery and reduce stress.
We need systematic changes to make sleep a priority. Workplaces should encourage breaks and even naps, as some progressive companies in the West already do. Beyond work, individuals must take responsibility for their well-being, avoiding the temptation to ‘burn the candle at both ends’ with late-night parties or endless commitments.
Supplements like melatonin and magnesium can help, but they aren’t substitutes for a balanced lifestyle. The best remedy for good sleep remains a clear conscience, cultivated through mindfulness practices like meditation, yoga, and prayer. These not only calm the mind but also cleanse it unsolved thoughts, paving the way for deep, restorative sleep.
Sleep isn’t laziness, as some cultural narratives might suggest. It’s essential for healing, dreaming, and reversing the effects of aging. As a society, we must stop treating sleep as expendable and recognize it as a cornerstone of health and productivity.
We need to sleep, we need to dream, we need to purge our mind of undigested thoughts. This is our internal healing process, and as it is the number one instrument for bringing about reversal of aging.
