A good night’s rest is something that should not be taken for granted
Getting eight hours of restorative sleep is something that is special but is unfortunately somewhat elusive. Lack of sleep can increase the chances of things like diabetes and heart disease, stroke, obesity and dementia, according to the National Council on Aging. More than a third of Americans report getting less than 7 hours of sleep per night, 30% report some symptoms of insomnia.
The conditions that we have where we try to sleep can have a large impact on how much sleep we are able to get. Individuals that lack a good mattress, a cool, dark and quiet room are likely to experience some type of sleep loss. Lacking a warm place to sleep during cold weather like we are having now can have a huge impact on how well you can sleep.
People that lack any bed likely get a fraction of the sleep they need. This is true with the homeless today, it is also true of people crammed into too-small living spaces.
Throughout history, owning a bed was a sign of wealth, and owning a large bed was a sign of nobility, the higher the bed, the higher the status.
My first post-college job was on the other side of the country, I ended up renting part of a mostly unfurnished house. The job was a temporary position, and I wanted to make sure it was permanent before I bought a bed since there was no way I would be able to fit it into my Chevy Vega. I had an air mattress that went flat nightly. For four months I slept in a sleeping bag on top of the 80s era shag carpet.
I was fine. I was also 22. I’ve always been able to sleep nearly anywhere, in the car, sitting, up, watching TV, sitting in the chairs at the mall, you name it, and I have likely dozed there. As I have gotten older, it is staying asleep that I find harder. A few years ago, I pulled a muscle in my shoulder while I slept that was so bad I had to go to rehab and sleep in a recliner for several weeks.
A lot of people around the world sleep in “beds” that many Americans would consider smaller and less comfortable than their American counterparts. Beds are believed to have been around for the last 77,000 years, a relatively short time in our history.
Early humans were believed to have slept in trees to protect themselves from animals and other things that bite. When they figured out fire, they moved to the ground for warmth.
Mankind has slowly worked its way off the ground with progressively larger, thicker and higher beds.
If you are lucky enough to have gotten eight hours sleep last night, good for you. If you did not, I feel for you.
Art Smith is online manager of The Times, he can be reached at asmith@mariettatimes.com