Tired all the time??
To achieve the
impossible dream, try going to sleep...Joan Klempner
Having trouble sleeping these days? You aren't alone.
The National Sleep Foundation's recent study shows that some 30% of the U.S.
population reports sleep disturbances. These include challenges with falling
asleep, staying asleep or early-morning wakening with inability to get back to
sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation is a
widespread public health problem, related to health issues such as obesity,
cardiovascular problems, and memory disturbances. In 2011, there were nearly
57,000,000 prescriptions written for sleep meds. That's 57 million! In his book
"Sleep Thieves," Dr. Stanley Coren says that lack of sleep is causing
us to be "clumsy, stupid, unhappy and dead."
The commonest reported cause for
insomnia is stress, and financial stress is highest on the list. For many
people living through tough economic times, financial stress is increasing, and
causing a vicious cycle where stress causes sleep problems that lead to more
stress. The phrase Tired All The Time (TAAT) is slipping into the medical
vernacular. We are working harder, longer, getting paid less, eating poorly and
exercising less. To capitalize on TAAT, a company called MetroNaps has set up
shop in several countries to provide naps or "sleep pods" to
stressed-out workers. Sleep clinics are popping up all over the country as more
people seek answers to why they can't sleep.
Traders are notorious for having
bad sleep habits. Many stay up into the early hours of the morning watching,
studying or trading overnight, then struggling to stay awake during the day to
trade the regular session. To trade well and consistently, it is critical to
get good sleep, including adequate amounts of dream (REM- Rapid Eye Movement)
sleep. Stable mental health correlates directly adequate REM sleep, since it
has been shown that REM deprivation leads to anxiety, depression and behavioral
disturbances. Tired traders do not trade well, make numerous mistakes and have
increased anxiety and depression.
Some tips for traders to help with
sleep-related issues:
- Limit xanthine intake (coffee,
tea, caffeinated soft drinks) to two cups a day and avoid these for at least
six hours prior to sleep
- Take flower teas (chamomile, valerian)
to help with relax you before sleep
- Exercise in the morning or early
evening and not less than three hours prior to sleep
- Develop a standard relaxing
bedtime routine, including going to sleep at the same time each night
- Make your bedroom a quiet, peaceful
place that is dark, cool, quiet and comfortable
- Remove all electronic equipment
from your bedroom, including computers, cell phones, televisions and lighted
clocks
- Learn how to "power nap"
- Practice yoga or meditation for
10-20 minutes prior to sleep
- Avoid self-medication with
alcohol. You may fall asleep more quickly, but will likely suffer from very
early-morning awakening and anxiety as unintended consequences
- Consult your medical professional
help if sleep difficulties persist for more than one month.
There is a time for many words,
and there is also a time for sleep...Homer, The Odyssey
-
Janice Drone MD Phd
