Day 128 – Sleep

Over the years, I met people who have survived on very little sleep without appearing pre-maturely aged, tired, overweight, or unhealthy.   For instance, Helen had trouble getting her son, George, to sleep through the night during his school years and tried many techniques, even occasional shouting, which only stressed both of them.  She sought recommendations from the family doctor.  The doctor responded if George performed well at school, was healthy, and maintained good humour and temperament; the doctor said not to worry because everybody was different.    

Another instance was when I worked for a multi-national computer company the accountant only ever slept three hours a night!  He was intelligent, good-humoured, had published several books in multiple languages.  He said he survived on naps.

When working on the Service Desk, Shirley would awaken randomly at three in the morning.  Shirley used to try to go back to sleep, but she was wide awake.  In the end, she said she got up and worked on her investments, finances or read a book until she was tired again.  Then went back to sleep, wake and go to work.  She retired to a Melanesian country to enjoy her old age.  All these people were in a healthy weight range, looked young for their age and seemed happy.

Another amazing woman Amy gets up at three in the morning, and instead of fighting the awake state, she would perform research, writes papers, and update documentation.  Shaun wakes up to meditate, and Steve wakes at six regardless of when he goes to sleep.  Michael wakes after six hours and works out in his home gym. The shortened sleep periods seem to be supplemented by most of them with naps when they feel overtired.