“I'll sleep when I am dead.”
This may be more prophetic than most people realize.
Sleep tends to be overlooked and undervalued by many individuals and a large portion of modern society. As a practicing surgical subspecialist who endured a sleep-deprived 5-year residency, I too underestimated the basic requirements for sleep. Sleep is not considered a high priority by many, including many who should know better.
HolSpan seeks to help people understand why this should not be the case. HolSpan embraces the massive importance of restorative sleep, understanding that sleep impacts many aspects of our physical and emotional well-being. Many people acclimate to the lowered bar of baseline poor performance that typically results from poor sleep habits. No one is immune to this despite claims to the contrary.
While all aspects of lifestyle (the 6 foundational pillars) are vital in the sense that they are integrated/interconnected, sleep is perhaps one of the most important because it is the most overlooked/forsaken, hence needing the most attention.
Poor sleep is quite common:
Historically, sleep has been shrouded in mystery from the rigors of science in part due to difficulties in being able to effectively study it without disturbing it. More recently, the functions of sleep have become better understood:
Not following the above functions of sleep typically results in health problems. Major health risks associated with impairments in sleep include:
Cardiovascular disease
Metabolic dysfunction
Men’s Health Concerns
Cancer
Accidents
The “snooze you lose” sentiment flourishes in an asymmetric, production-at-all-costs, modern, secular mindset. Most people convince themselves that they can get by on less sleep than recommended. In reality, they typically accept/adjust to lower performance standards as their new normal.
Another disturbing aspect of chronic, poor sleep relates to declining brain health. Neurodegenerative disease is a leading cause of death and disability in Western countries. Historically, these conditions have been linked to disrupting sleep. There is growing evidence that disrupted and poor sleep is contributing to the neurodegenerative decline (potential bidirectional relationship). Maintaining cognitive faculties as long as one can should be a huge priority for those wanting to live a full life.
HolSpan Tip - Sleep is the most underrecognized and underutilized performance enhancer (and it is free!).
Sleep health also has a direct impact on my conventional practice of Urology. Two important areas include:
Regarding sleep, I always find it useful to reflect on the following to bring its importance home:
We spend ⅓ of our lives sleeping. Evolution has determined that something crucial must occur during this vulnerable period when we're essentially temporarily paralyzed each night. Nature hasn't found a better alternative to this state, so we dedicate 7 to 9 hours of our lives to sleep. It's worth considering the significance of this biological necessity.
Lastly, the harder you work and play, the more rest and restorative time (sleep) you need (not less). HolSpan encourages you to devote the same effort to sleep as you would in creating a nutrition plan or an exercise protocol. It is that important, yet often an afterthought to many. Embrace this mindset and be very calculated about how you go about optimizing your sleep habits if you want to remain active, fully present, and engaged in the experience of daily living.
Sources:
HolSpanMD counsels patients on a personal level to achieve their optimal metabolic health, focusing on precision wellness and preventative care. Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment or ask a question.
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