Spring: The Unpleasant Season of New Life

     Are you tired from reading these couple of words? Chances are you didn’t get a good night’s sleep. Perhaps you  watched a few too many Tik Tok or Instagram reels, and then fell asleep to them? Maybe you had the idea of getting your homework done early, but was distracted by a phone call from a  friend that lasted… well a little too long? Believe it or not these reasons may be symptoms of burnout.

   The ‘hustle’ to move on to complete the next project - to prove our dedication, ambition and strength, is becoming increasingly popular in our generation. Nevertheless, our amount and quality of sleep are being challenged. It seems as though less sleep equals more work done is the social norm. 

   I’m here to tell you that this “norm” isn't normal at all, and that sleep shaming deprives us from sleep, significantly affects our physical and emotional health, and connections to ourselves, family and friends, and the world around us.

 Sleep Shaming is a Form of Bullying 

   Sleep shaming is not only the glorification of less sleep, it is a form of bullying that stigmatizes people who prioritize sleep. In a group of people, for example, a person could be excluded solely based on the fact that they take many naps throughout the day, or mention how tired they are in a conversation. It can especially be harmful if that person is asked “ Why are you so tired?” as if to say “ What work have you done to be so fatigued?” 

   This type of bullying, especially in a work or school setting such as White Oaks, can make people feel pressured to “work harder” in order to “fit in”,  as though you have to be just as busy as your peers. Additionally, It makes an individual feel ashamed, and unwelcomed in their group, almost like there's a subconscious competition with each other's work ethic, which amounts to the number of hours you type on a computer, or note-take. 

 Sleep Shaming Promotes an Unhealthy “Workflow”

   It’s common to know that if you fail to receive a consistent 7 hours of sleep every night, as the school week progresses you’ll become increasingly fatigued and have trouble getting out of bed. But the promotion of this unhealthy habit is still profound.  Not only will this habit contribute to poor sleep, but actually decreases that “workflow” you had to begin with. Upon your arrival to school,  you'll quickly become groggy and unproductive because your brain hasn’t had a break to relax itself.

   Pulling an all-nighter and managing to finish all of your studies, doesn’t mean you won’t have another assignment to eventually do soon in which you’ll feel the need to repeat the same unhealthy cycle. To simplify, it's time to stop “getting ahead” and start just getting things done. 

 Sleep Shaming Doesn’t Account for Your Physical or Physiological Health

   Have I not talked enough about sleep shaming’s effect on sleep? The physical and mental health effects may be understood, but your likelihood of knowing you might be experiencing them is not. One of the most obvious but major mental and physical effects of sleep shaming is sleep deprivation. 

   Sleep deprivation is when a person simply can’t get enough sleep. This can happen for a night or two, which isn’t serious. But it can also turn into a chronic issue which can develop into significant health conditions, such as insomnia, obesity, depression, high blood pressure, and stroke. While you may feel like your schedule is fine, and you aren’t getting a shortage of sleep,  here's a short list of the symptoms of sleep deprivation:

• Falling asleep when not intending to ( ex. Reading a book or watching tv)

• Feeling fatigued or lethargic during the day, frequent yawning

• Sleeping long hours on the weekend

• Having difficulty concentrating

   How about now? Sleep shaming promotes your continuous hard work for extended periods, but doesn’t take into account where you’ll actually get that energy to complete these tasks; Sleep of course!

 “ The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep.” So instead of deciding to commit yourself to another night of english homework, or trying to solve a math equation that you can’t seem to figure out, try to give yourself a break and come back for another 15 minutes or so. If this doesn’t solve the problem, don’t fight it. Give yourself some rest in your precious bed before trying again the next day. 

 Sleep Shaming Decreases Your “Me time”

   Have you ever been “that” friend to say “Sorry I can’t hang out today, got some chemistry review to do.” Perhaps you were the friend to receive this message. This is completely normal everyones busy! But this one-time important homework will soon turn into dozens of assignments and exams rolling around the corner, and you’ll eventually be wondering, “ When am I going to get that sweet break?”

   Sleep shaming promotes that “need” to feel like everything needs to be done before you take a break - that break only being sleep. But what about you? What have you done for yourself today? 

   What I’m trying to say is, instead of tackling your long to-do lists of English essays, or 1920s review for History, do something for you first. For example, if you’ve planned to go on a walk with a friend or your dog after you’ve finished your homework, try doing it before. Not only will you enjoy the fresh air, but you’ll also feel motivated to work to enjoy that sweet sun again. Or like the example I shared earlier, if you can’t hang out with your friend on a Wednesday because of your chemistry homework, try to follow through to arrange a different date that works for the both of you.

Sleep Shaming Decreases our “We time” 

   As I said earlier, it is important to get a nice break that avoids stress and potential burnout. But did I mention the importance of “time? No I don’t just mean hanging out with a friend or two, but actually establishing deeper relationships with your family and friends in the process. Oftentimes the overwhelming pile of school work and projects makes us forget our fostered connections with friends, family, or partners.“

   We time” is crucial for building healthier, and stronger relationships with the people you love. If we are constantly doing something, we aren’t prioritizing one another. Taking even a couple of seconds to check in on a friend you haven't talked to in a while, or continue a conversation with someone you meant to have some time ago is an asset in this laborious generation. 

   Sleep shaming is  not only a form of bullying that is severely detrimental to your productivity and sleep, it affects establishing better relationships with ourselves, and deep connections with those around you. 

   So next time you feel the need to get some extra sleep, feel guilt free! Not only are you taking care of yourself ( which is awesome), but you’ll also have the energy to be a better friend, sibling, or partner to another. Whether you're curious about the topic, or a victim of it yourself, I hope this article helps you combat the stress of assignments, work, or responsibilities, with prioritizing your well deserved rest. Goodnight!