I believe sleep is the best thing for both the body, and the mind. It often goes overlooked or not given the attention it deserves. More often then not, we do not realize how important sleep is to our lives. Growing up in your average American family, I had a set bedtime that lasted well up until my days in high school. I hated that time of the night, especially when I wasn’t tired or simply didn’t feel like sleeping. I had to though, I didn’t quite understand why, but I knew if I didn’t my parents would not approve. I was afflicted by this torture it seemed until I began college. It wasn’t until then I realize the important of my enemy, “bed time”.
College was a completely new experience, free from parental restraints and restrictions; there were no limits anymore, best of all I could go to sleep when I wanted to. I had classes the next day of course, first one starting at nine in the morning. I don’t remember when I fell asleep that night, I just recall it wasn’t at the time my parents would have approved of. However, I do remember waking up to the infamous sound of the alarm clock. I could barely open my eyes, I didn’t want to get out of bed. Real life called though, I had to. I dragged myself away from my comfortable pillow and sheets, wanting nothing more then to put my head back down and go back to my dreams. It wasn’t until then during that time of agony, wanting nothing more then to go back to sleep, when I realized the importance of sleep.
I was never on to enjoy sleep, I thought of it as a chore, something I had to do rather then something I wanted to do. I discovered later, though not sleeping, the important sleep has on my life. Without sleep the body becomes irritable, tense, out of rhythm from everyday life. These actions not only effect us, but to those around us as well. Just the thought of a surgeon who had to perform a life threatening surgery on little to no sleep, or a construction worker operating heavy machinery that isn’t paying his complete attention, brings about the possibilities of dire consequences.
Today though, I have come to the realization that in order to live an enjoyable life I must live by my parents rule after all. Even if not for myself, I do it for the others around me so that I can look and feel my best without letting potential irritability get in the way of my day. Now it is time for you to reap the benefits, go to sleep!