Posted by Brian on April 12, 1998 at 19:01:12:

In Reply to: Sleep deprivation posted by Craig on April 11, 1998 at 07:47:59:

Hi Craig,

Check out www.sleepfoundation.org, also elsewhere in Sleep Net, for info on sleep hygiene.

Adults on average need 8 hours of sleep out of 24, preferably at night, as we are attuned by nature to diurnal circadian cycles. Disruption of the cycles by shortening or irregularizing sleep time, or shifting out of the diurnal pattern places stress on the body and mind which can be life-threatening (drowsy driving, deteriorating health) in the short or long run.

Your schedule is likely to result in declining productivity over the course of "days on," and decling quality of life during your days off, as you attempt to repay your accumulated sleep debt.

If this stress continues unabated, you can expect accelerating deterioration of health, with symptoms such as high blood pressure and/or other cardiovascular problems, impotence, psychoemotional changes (irritability, depression), and cognitive changes (memory defecits, errors in judgement), among others.

You can also expect that what healthful sleep you can rely upon now may ultimately become disturbed sleep due to the damage which you are sustaining in the present, due to the rigors of your current lifestyle.

Your dilemma is most appreciable. However it is for you to determine how much of yourself, present and future you want to give for this paycheck, or whether in fact, there are better options.

I Urge you to continue what you have begun, that is to inform yourself of the value of the elements involved in your work/life trade-offs.

Best of luck,

Brian

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