When we think of living a healthier, more efficient lifestyle, we often think of making changes in our food and exercise habits. And rightly so. However, sleep is nowhere to be seen on that list of considerations.
Most men think of sleep as something to be done when time permits. Unfortunately, losing those couple hours of rest, again and again, can affect years of your life. Perhaps losing you more time than what you’re making.
Evidence-based studies recommend at least 7-9 hours of sleep per night for adults. When you do not get enough sleep, you may feel unmotivated, irritable, and fatigued all day.
You may have trouble staying awake when you work, study, or do other routine activities like commuting or worse, driving.
You’d think that something so important and simple would be number one on people’s to-do lists! But, alas, it’s the complete opposite.
Let’s understand why men tend not to prioritize sleep and how it affects them.
Men and Sleep
What is keeping men from prioritizing sleep? Could be a lot of things.
Is it the hustle culture or the trend of having “overworked” as a badge of honor? Maybe the lack of awareness or demanding phases of life? Or is it due to unhealthy habits and messed-up routines?
The answer is unique to every single gentleman.
Lack of Awareness and Hustle Culture
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, many men don’t even realize that they need more sleep.
Once they start putting in more hours at work and less towards sleep, they get tired more regularly. They get used to the tired feeling and end up accepting it as a sign of hard work.
The hustle culture doesn’t seem to be helping either. Influencers and entrepreneurs are seen promoting heavy working weeks, and self-indulgent tasks may be labeled as laidback or lazy.
Quotes like “Rest once you succeed” or “Play hard, grind harder” can be seen everywhere around us.
Duty Calls
Family, friends, and children can fill up the calendar quickly, leaving men with no space for hobbies or sleep.
Life keeps throwing curveballs and every day brings a new challenge. It seems like you leave one challenging phase to enter another, leaving no space or time for rest.
Habits and Routines
As difficult as incorporating healthy habits into your routine is, getting used to unhealthy ones is just as easy. After a long, hard, tiring day, a pint of beer with the gang sounds so good, right?
The extra cup of coffee, stress-induced smoking, and overeating are just some examples of habits that make matters worse.
Lack of Balance
Men are celebrated when seen prioritizing their careers over anything else. But we fail to observe the lack of balance behind the scenes.
Psychoneuroendocrinology studies suggest that the efficiency of sleep and levels of testosterone in men are significantly associated. This doesn’t just affect men’s libido but also drains their energy, reduces overall physical performance, and makes it difficult to focus.
When Sleep Affects More Than Just Yourself
Your lack of sleep can put pressure on your relationships, burn you out, and make you impatient and non-resilient overall. Lack of sleep can affect daily routine with problems like mood swings and irritability.
Beyond the physical repercussions, these social and mental health effects often go unnoticed.
Sometimes bad sleep hygiene also causes serious conditions like chronic fatigue and sleep disorders. The repercussions can be detrimental.
Two years ago, a man was charged with “homicide by vehicle” when his truck rear-ended a woman’s car and killed her. Cause of accident? Fatigued driving.
Maggie Bryson of Fayetteville was simply waiting at a traffic light when Rashad, the fatigued driver, rammed into the back of her car. The impact proved fatal for her due to no mistake of her own.
It’s heartbreaking, but it can happen to anyone. To ensure you don’t get into the driver’s position, always be well-rested before you start driving. If not, consider asking someone else to drive or take some other mode of transportation.
Maggie’s story is a reminder of how vulnerable we all are on the road. Even as passengers or pedestrians, we need to ensure we are vigilant at all times. However, if you do end up getting involved in an accident, stay calm and deal with the situation mindfully.
Keith Law Group suggests a few steps to follow in the event of a car crash. Trying to keep off the road is the very first step. After that, ensure everyone is safe, contact the police, stay on the site, and exchange information with all parties involved. If you have the presence of mind, record the scene and also get details of eyewitnesses, if any.
Once you seek medical attention, the next step would be getting legal guidance. Say you get into an accident in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Then a Fayetteville car accident attorney can help you with filing the insurance claim and other legal advice.
The ill effects of sleep deprivation are just too significant to be ignored. We, as a society, need to recognize its importance and push men in our lives to achieve better sleep hygiene. The reasons for doing so are many.
The Benefits of Good Sleep Hygiene for Modern Men
When men prioritize sleep, lives can be transformed. Their good sleep hygiene can positively affect not just themselves but people around them.
They are able to spend time mindfully with their families. This enriches their relationships. Due to enough rest, they are more present and involved when with friends. This strengthens their friendships.
Enough rest helps reduce fatigue, increase awareness and focus, improve mental clarity, and stabilize mood.
Good sleep keeps them energetic, making them more prone to exercising and pursuing other physical activities. This boosts their overall physical and mental health. It also reduces the risk of chronic diseases and increases the longevity of life.
The American College of Cardiology shares five sleep factors that should be present in a sleep routine. When all of them exist together, they add almost 4.7 years to the life expectancy of men. These factors are:
- Sleeping 7-8 hours per night
- Experiencing trouble falling asleep less than twice a week
- Difficulty staying asleep less than two nights a week
- Not relying on sleep aids or medication
- Waking up feeling refreshed and well-rested at least five days a week
For gentlemen today, prioritizing sleep isn’t just about feeling fully rested. A good night’s sleep can unlock your complete potential.
With better sleep, you will be able to think clearer, perform better, and live longer.
Take a moment to ask yourself, how many of the five factors are present in your sleep schedule.
How is your sleep affecting your life? And what changes can you make to help yourself rest more and better?
Take time to make mindful choices, and reap undeniable benefits.
Take care and sleep well!
