Depression, Dementia and Sleep Deprivation

Do we get enough sleep? To add to the disturbing numbers of people suffering from mental disease as well as physical ill health are those who are unable to function to their full potential because of sleep deprivation. This has recently received focus in the media and claimed as one of the main causes of disease, both physical and mental.

Where it has been considered that eight hours sleep is the requirement for an adult to undergo physical and mental refreshment, it is common to find that many are in the habit of perhaps sleeping only six hours. Individuals do seem to vary in their need for sleep, but the 'average' number eight is the result of considerable research.

Depression, Dementia and Sleep Deprivation

If sleep deprivation is as serious as being now presented, it should certainly be classed as one of the most important factors that must be immediately redressed if we wish to avoid heart disease, cancer, depression, dementia and all other serious diseases.

Not only is it pointing to the need for personal attention to the health of workers but it is also a serious concern for employers who expect a high degree of alertness from their staff.

In Australia the symptoms of mental disease such as depression and dementia in the community are continuing to increase at an alarming rate. Some reports indicate about fifty new cases being diagnosed each day. Others claim the ratio is now one in five people suffer mental disorders such as mild, moderate or clinical states of depression or early signs of Alzheimer's disease in failing memory and reduction of mental faculties. In addition we have children with autism and other once rare diseases needing special care in the community.

The existence of so much mental stress and disease indicates an urgent need for us to take stock of our own health regime in order to avoid adding to the existent statistics.

If we already realise we suffer from chronic fatigue the first adjustment would possibly be to get better hours of quality sleep.

Our nutrition should be improved to include more fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and grains and to avoid processed or commercially prepared food and include additional health foods such as sprouted seeds, seaweed, and a variety of herbs that are proven traditional tonics such as rosemary, thyme and . We should also include supplements that directly improve brain function, nervous system and assist our mental health include the four 'g's – ginkgo, garlic, ginseng, and ginger. Exercising is extremely important, as is proper respiration. As important of course is the need to practise self culture and control of our bad habits of anger, anxiety and to reduce needless psychological stress. These and other natural improvements will help us to retain a healthy mind and preserve vital faculties that will continue to serve us well for our whole lifetime.

Depression, Dementia and Sleep Deprivation

However, alongside our efforts to improve our health or situation, we must always attend to the elimination of the negative factors that are responsible for undermining our health. These include pollution of all kinds, physical and psychological. We have to create a good environment, not only for our physical surroundings, but for our emotional and mental life as well. No more anger, violence, and distortion but rather increase mental calmness that gives us self control, and harmony and beauty instead of noise and ugliness. This is particularly important as the cruelty, the monsters ,the noises and the violence that are fast becoming featured in our modern lifestyles are so damaging to us all, but particularly the sensitive senses and nervous systems of children.

Sleep plays a vital part in keeping us well. We will usually feel more positive and cheerful after a good night's sleep enough to enjoy the early morning awakening of the natural world as well as our own as we just take a moment to appreciate the gift of life.

Although some claim that in older age one needs less sleep, for many healthy aged people, sleep is enjoyed as the restorer of the body, brain and soul, to stall the likelihood of any loss of faculties or symptoms of brain deterioration.

If we are forced by circumstance to cut down on our number of sleeping hours we can always extract real benefit from short 'cat naps', brief relaxation time or periods of meditation that will often work wonders.

 

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