What do you do to improve your sleep?
The post reflects on the life of a retired individual who values simplicity, self-sufficiency, and good health despite a challenging childhood. Living in a modest home, he enjoys a peaceful morning routine, emphasizing the importance of physical fitness and connection to nature. Unlike many of his peers who struggle with sleep, he maintains a healthy sleep pattern, attributing this to a balanced life and worry-free mindset. The narrative highlights how aging individuals often feel burdened by familial concerns and societal pressures, leading to anxiety and sleep disturbances. To improve sleep, the author advocates self-care, a stress-free attitude, and practices like morning sunlight and exercise.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The article reflects on a retired individual who values simplicity, self-sufficiency, and good health despite a challenging childhood.
- He maintains a healthy sleep pattern, linking it to a stress-free mindset and self-care practices.
- To improve sleep, he advises soaking in morning sunlight, managing caffeine intake, and exercising regularly.
- The narrative addresses the anxiety faced by older individuals due to familial concerns, highlighting the importance of a worry-free mindset.
- Ultimately, the article emphasizes that sleep is vital for overall health and should not be neglected.
Awakened from sleep
It was hot and humid. The ceiling fan was revolving at its full speed but was not sufficient to stop copious perspiration. Awaken by the discomfort of the sultry situation, he looked around sitting on the bed. The darkness was still deep. A small zero-watt LED bulb was illuminating the corridor. Feeling uncomfortable, he left the bed and went upstairs.
Uncomfortable
Upstairs was also not soothing. The open space allowed free air circulation, but this time, the air was almost still and it was not comforting. He looked at the sky, which was overcast and the clouds were also not moving. The moist roof indicated that a feeble drizzle had occurred a few moments earlier. Despite it all, the weather was not comfortable. The radium-coated hands of his wristwatch indicated four o’clock and it was the time of daybreak.
Fit and healthy
He started circumambulating. He is physically fit and leads a healthy life even in his eighties. Though it was not arrogance, the thought shook him from head to toe because of an unseen fear. He raised his eyes towards the sky and thanked the Almighty with folded hands for His kindness.
Simple life
A simple and down-to-earth person, he is accustomed to a life of simplicity and frugality. He lived with his spouse in a small, more than two-decades-old house that he had earned, and now the house was their shelter. The couple did not have the “essential” luxury of AC. They had the bare minimum things that were essential for their sustenance in a big-city life.
Satisfied
He is satisfied with life, but not contented. It may seem paradoxical. He does not fall in line with the way people behaved and society moved. Plainly speaking, he was vocal on various issues that did not happen as they should have. As for him, what he had was sufficient for their life. Neither of them had any ambition of affluence. The gaudy flaunting of affluence by his relatives never affected him because he never cared about petty things. Nonetheless, the disparity, haughtiness, egocentric behaviours or injustice agitated him and his thought process. Late in his life, he started penning down his thoughts candidly in the form of long essays, mostly in a reflective tone.
Unaffected
He has a God-given quality of immunity against external factors and ostensible glittery status symbols. He didn’t care about them. When in a job, he sought things according to his needs, not as a show-off. It used to be the talk of the town in his heyday when he was young and serving to earn his bread. He seldom thought about his physical appearance, but used to take good care of his body and soul. Naturally unaffected by external factors, he would meticulously groom himself and dress properly with whatever he had with him.
Sleep in his Early time
Growing up in an atmosphere of deprivation where things were difficult to have, he learned the value of money and labour from childhood. Emphasis was on good sleep. Modern Gym Culture was not in fashion, nor did he have the luxury of joining one. Rather, children encouraged to exercise. The rustic youths used to exercise, wrestling in local “Akhฤrฤ”, which was meticulously prepared by digging earth and making the soil very fine, free from a spec of pebbles. “Akhฤrฤ” were considered pious, and people held them in great respect. Body-building was not for show, but for strength and fitness.
Different and silent
Different from other siblings in the family, he often kept silent. Most of the household chores included fetching vegetables from the local “Mandi” (Market-hub), chopping firewood, procuring food grains, sugar and kerosene from the fair price shops et cetera. Not good with studies, he somehow managed to pass examinations which was enough as he could not show colours during his student life.
Nature lover
A frail, short-stature boy that he was, he used to walk and go places including school on foot. Usually in the mornings he would go to the local park to stroll and inhale fresh air. He had an affinity with Nature since childhood. Lofty hills, rustic ambience, woodlands, rivers and ponds lured him. He used to saunter for long distances enjoying the vicinity of Nature.
Difficult childhood
The person in question was not always healthy. His childhood was difficult, suffering a lot from ailments of the time. Once, while at the house of his maternal uncle, he caught deadly cholera. He was cured by local treatment and fasting. Seven decades ago, prevalent deadly diseases like whooping cough, measles, typhoid, and mumps were common in children. He was no exception and suffered greatly because of them. He would become physically weak as food was not allowed during the disease phase. Nonetheless, sleep was not disturbed.
Sleep was never compromised
Despite it all sleep was never compromised, he would take a sound sleep. Even in senectitude he sleeps well and doesn’t require improvement in sleep. Many people of his age compliment him for his sound sleep. (School of Public Health, University of Michigan)
Poor sleep
While in conversation, people often lament about their poor quality of sleep. They used to put the onus on their increasing age and related medical complications. They often complain about many things, especially about their grown-up siblings who don’t care for them. The ignorance of their children pains the ageing parents, even then, the older persons feel worried about their children and grandchildren. It is this lust which pushes them to accept humiliation. They show overprotectiveness towards their children and grandchildren, try to intervene in their lives and decisions. Older persons feel neglected when their suggestions are ignored and their decisions are superseded by their children.
Vicious cycle
This leads to anxiety that ultimately leads to various ailments. The most notable of them are complications in the heart and blood circulation, mental anxiety, dementia, sometimes Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss. The complications hamper the sleep cycle of aged persons which again triggers physical problems to aggravate the situation. This becomes a vicious cycle.
Things to understand
People need to understand that nothing is permanent. Life is like a pavonine soap bubble that lures and evokes a sense of attachment and lust. It is paradoxical that life, on one hand is fleeting, it is a continuous process; culminates after an organism dies and perishes. It is inevitable. So, thinking about the future of anything including one’s own children and family is futile. It is the main cause of worry and disturbed sleep or insomnia.
Improving sleep
To improve sleep, one has to have a worry-free mind without any baggage. A free mind is light and buoyant. It has to be remembered that grown-up children have their own lives. They may feel offended if they face undue resistance and hindrance from their old parents or grandparents. It leads to undue tiffs and commotion that give rise to a disturbed atmosphere at home and at the work front. It must be avoided.
Stress free mind
Showing concern or extra care put a burden on aged mind and causes undue pressure. They had their time, they did what they liked. The children are now mature and have their families. They can take care of themselves. Parents can guide them when they seek guidance.
Self-care is necessary
No one has time for others. The aged persons need to take care of themselves. Self-dependency is the core. Expecting anything from children is futile. These are the basic things to keep oneself free from undue burden. Often children eye the income of their ageing parents. Economic self-sufficiency is necessary for aged persons. They must not divulge it to anyone.
actionable points for sleep
There are a few points that help improving sleep and awake fresh. Adhering to them can improve the quality of sleep.
- Morning sunlight is invigorating. Try to soak it for about half an hour. This regulates circadian rhythm. The Circadian Rhythm is the body’s natural clock that regulates body functions for twenty-four hours.
- Manage the intake of caffeine. Excess of everything is bad. One should stop taking tea or coffee before bed time. While it acidify body, hamper the sleep as well.
- A bed is for sleep, not for activities. If one can’t resist the temptation of keeping a smartphone, tablet or laptop away at sleep time, place it elsewhere.
- Exercise improves body metabolism and agility. It is refreshing. A morning walk for an hour is good to keep the body healthy and bring a good night’s sleep. For those, who can’t do exercise, a morning walk or even sauntering on their roof can improve sleep quality.
- One bearing is necessary. No one is inevitable. “After me what” is an imaginary question that keeps haunting most people. It is a stark fact that life keeps running, no matter who is coming or going. It’s like temporary ripples in a pond after a skeet is thrown in it. Things become normal after a few moments’ agitation.
- Take good care of yourself. You are the custodian of your body and are duty-bound to take care of it, for, one’s life is in the body. Do not expect from others.
Sleep is important
Rest and sleep are not a waste of time, as “Workaholics” used to say. It is an essential part of the body’s metabolic process. It can’t be ignored. Sleep deprivation causes serious mental fatigue, hallucinations and disturbed activities. It is equally important to give the body an appropriate rest and sleep. It invigorates the body and soul and prepares for radiance.
Some more interesting reads:
-END-
Kamal Kishore Srivastava
A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores lifeโs deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Natureโs Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1,200โ1,500 words or more regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling intersect.
Leave a Reply