Article Review: How Much Sleep Do We Actually Need - Assignment Example

Jerry Siegel, in his article, “How Much Sleep Do We Actually Need” are: The natural level of sleep varies between two individuals. A specific answer to the question, how much sleep do we need, is impossibility. Our ancestors used to sleep well, though their lifestyle and comfort zones for sleep are much less as compared to the amenities available in a normal household today. Their internal world is calm and the humankind now is impacted by materialistic civilization and internet revolution and these have contributed to less sleep and more anxiety.

On the basis of an extensive research conducted in America, Siegel informs us that seven hours sleep is considered ideal and essential for a human being. Less and more than that limit, is dangerous and life-threatening. On the positive side, man has controlled temperature by installing air-conditioning systems. Animal intrusion into the households is the thing of the past. Modern sprays deter the entry of the insects in the living space. All these are friendly agents that induce sleep. On the negative side, internet and various types of electronic entertainment apparatus have intruded in to the time-zone earmarked for sleep.

Late-nights have become the order of the day and permanent part of the lifestyles. Siegel writes, “At least 14 other studies have reported the same results (2-15), i.e. that both long and short sleep duration are correlated with poor health and shortened lifespan, with most studies reporting a greater risk associated with long sleep.” (Siegel, n. p.)This is an important observation. The body requires rest, but not in excess. Further research has confirmed that there is intimate relationship between “long sleep durations and heart attacks, diabetes” (Siegel, n. p.) and other related diseases.

The trait of long sleep itself is sort of a physical malady. Long sleep is necessitated due to excessive consumption of food. But nothing tangible can be said about health benefits accruing on account of reduction in sleep. Then there are exclusive diseases that have bearing on sleep. One that is related to decreased sleep is known as “Fatal Familial Insomnia” (Siegel, n. p.) and the one that of increased sleep is called as Sleeping Sickness. Some factors other than the duration of sleep needs to be researched as to what connection they have with sleep.

Analysis of contents: The article, according to me, states some of the elementary facts related to sleep, and a few researched results have been quoted. I am not willing to criticize this article for any bias, but the subject of sleep has been dealt with in a casual manner. Unless one identifies the loss of sleep to a disease in specific cases (and such cases are not many), the main reason for sleeplessness is mind-related. If one does not have peace of mind, it has direct bearing on one’s sleep.

The position of aged and sick people not having sleep can be understood. But what about the combustible younger generation having the problems of sleep? Such people invite sleep disorders by adopting negative traits like consumption alcohol, excessive smoking and substance (drugs) abuse. Taking wrong food at the wrong time (late night parties) is also the contributory factor for loss of sleep. The article also overlooks another important factor related to quality of sleep. Whether one gets uninterrupted sleep once you get into it, is an important issue.

If one sleeps for a total number of seven hours with interruptions, meaning one gets up after every two-three hours