In this editorial, we examine rest and sleep as a component of
physical culture. Rest refers to the cessation of movement or activity in order
to relax or take a break from an intense activity, and sleep refers to a state
of bodily rest where the mind and body are at rest,
usually for several hours in the night hours. In this state, the postural
muscles are at rest, the eyes closed, and the nervous system relatively
inactive with the surface consciousness more or less suspended. The state of
sleep occurs in every animal in its own pattern as a recoil from physical
activity so that the bodily engine is given a rest or a break. During this
period of sleep, the energies of the being is directed to an internal activity
that heals the body of fatigue, repairs damaged cells and tissues, such as of
the skeletal muslces, heart muscles and the blood vessels, regulates the body’s
reaction to insulin, the hormone that controls the blood glucose level,
balances the hormones that control hunger and keeps the body’s immune system in
order. Sleep replenishes and rejuvenates the entire body so as to prepare it
for another day’s existence and probably towards a better chance of survival.
Studies have shown that the mind creates new pathways during sleep and prepares
the being to remember lessons and prepare to receive new information.
A sleep
deficient person finds it difficult to make decisions, solve problems, process
new information of situations effectively, controlling emotions and managing
change. It is quite clear that in an ordinary person, sleep is of prime
importance for the continuity of a certain quality of life and eventually of
life itself. It is said that one or two hours of lost sleep
can show tangible effects on the body and psychology. One sign of the body lacking
its needed hours of sleep is the tendency to go into micro sleep during daytime
while in the middle of an activity. Micro sleep refers to brief moments of
sleep during waking hours. Rest, according to Dr. Mathew Edlund, is of four
types: social, mental, physical and spiritual rest. Social rest occurs when one
spends time with relations, friends or colleagues. Mental rest occurs when we
pull ourselves out of an engaging mental activity by focussing on the breath
and directing our concentration on something particular, such as a place of
significance and beauty and ‘seeing’ oneself move in that space such as along a
beach or a “sun drabbled forest”. Imagination may help in this and the mind
enters through a rest phase. Physical rest occurs when we deliberately take
deep breaths, fill our lungs with oxygen and let this exercise continue till
oxygen replenishes the body system. Lastly, spiritual rest entails meditative
practices and prayers.
When
we systematically and rigorously observe our tendency to follow certain rest or
sleep patterns, and start observing our bodily functions and state of being, we
may realise our needs in this area of physical culture. To remedy defects in
our habits of rest and sleep requires will and discipline. One finds that
usually vital desires and perceived needs influence our life-style. When we
become aware of these, and become clearer about our aim in life, and support
this with a deep aspiration for progress towards that aim, then somehow, life
falls into order and rest and sleep find their own congenial patterns, offering
us the needed replenishment, and rejuvenation to head towards the aim of our
lives.
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