Often, getting the promotion at work, finishing an important task by deadline or simply staying up late to watch the late show is accomplished at the expense of enjoying a good sleep.
For some, sleeping can be just one more item on the list of "health kicks" prescribed by the doctor. Like spending a half hour on the treadmill or eating health food, sleeping can become more a chore than the delight it was meant to be. But sleep need not be so dry and pedantic. Sleep, like great food and great sex, can even be something to brag about.
Basic Health Benefits of Sleep
Sleeping is the body's natural response to fatigue. Most people are aware of the health benefits of getting an adequate amount of sleep:
- energy to get through the day;
- stable mood; feeling happy and refreshed; and
- healthy body and immune system.
These benefits serve as strong motivators to sleep. Most people who feel fatigued or cranky tend to surrender to the body's impulse to rest and relax.
The Pleasures of Sleep
But like great food or sex, sleep can offer more than relief from fatigue.Sleep can and should feel good. It was meant to be enjoyed like a fine wine or hearty meal; it was meant to be savoured like a sunset or intimate encounter with a loved one. Sleep can offer many pleasures such as:
- an emotional release from the day's stressful events;
- a pleasurable, physical sensation; and
- self-discovery through dreams.
Like food and sex, sleep need not be restricted to its basic biological function. Sleep can very well be a daily activity involving its own set of hedonistic pleasures and indulgences.
Simple Methods to Ensure a More Pleasurable Sleep
There are many ways to make sleep a more sensual affair. Here are some traditional ideas found on most websites and books:
- a good mattress with plenty of leg room;
- a pillow that provides neck support; and
- comfortable bedsheets.
Other suggestions include a healthy, well-ventilated environment as well as a quiet, darkened room that triggers the body's natural circadian rhythm.
Soothing the Five Senses Before Falling Asleep
There are many ways to enhance the sleep experience. The key is to appreciate the fact that soothing the five senses can be just as pleasurable as stimulating them. Some methods might include:
- playing relaxing music in the background;
- adding scents to the room;
- a ritual involving a simple food or drink; or
- soothing lights such as an astrolabe or sleep-friendly coloured lights.
Choosing the right sensations involves creativity and a willingness to express one's tastes and interests. Sleeping is unique to each personality as well as a legitimate form a self-expression.
Self-Discovery Through Sleeping
There's no doubt that a good night's sleep plays an important role in self-discovery. However self-discovery may be defined, exiting the everyday world and entering the vastly unexplored realm of the human mind is a very healthy and beneficial practice. Some of the personal benefits of sleep might be:
- Inspiring dreams that give insight to hidden desires or urges;
- Enhanced creativity and problem-solving; and
- Reliving personal memories.
There have been many stories recounted throughout history of the power that sleep and dreams have had in solving problems or opening doors to new ways of thinking. The old adage, "I'll sleep on it" is a proven method for resolving difficulties and conflicts that can nag us during the day.
Sleeping can be more than just a basic biological need. Although it is undeniable that continuous, night time sleep offers many practical benefits for both mind and body, sleep, in and of itself, can be a pleasurable, hedonistic experience worth indulging in every night.
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