The curse of drowsiness is a common issue that many people face on a daily basis. Whether it's in the morning, after lunch, or during late-night hours, the feeling of drowsiness can be overwhelming and affect our productivity, mood, and overall quality of life. **Drowsiness can be defined as a state of near-sleep or extreme tiredness, where one struggles to stay awake and alert**. There are various factors that contribute to the curse of drowsiness. One of the main culprits is lack of sleep. In today's fast-paced world, many individuals prioritize work, social activities, or entertainment over a good night's sleep.
Sleep should have the highest priority: in children, it's particularly important for both health and development.
For example, benzodiazepines such as diazepam and lorazepam , which are anti-anxiety medications, increase drowsiness, and are potentially addictive and can affect memory and your ability to concentrate the next day. Some people find it useful to get up, keep the lights low and engage in a relaxing activity such as reading or listening to music, then returning to the bed when sleepy again.
In today's fast-paced world, many individuals prioritize work, social activities, or entertainment over a good night's sleep. As a result, they end up accumulating sleep debt, which eventually catches up to them and leaves them feeling chronically tired and drowsy. **Getting enough sleep is crucial for maintaining optimum energy levels and preventing drowsiness**.
The Curse of Insomnia
It takes me a few moments to get my bearings, to recognize that I’m in bed and in the dark. My husband, Martin, is beside me, breathing heavily, obviously asleep. Down the hallway, my kids—Cayden, 10, Hadley, 8, and Brynn, 5—slumber soundly. Even the dog is silent and sacked out. I am tired but unable to sleep. Awake again.
Don’t look at the clock, I think. Inevitably, I’ll calculate how much time is left to sleep, and despair as it whittles away. What time does it feel like? I don’t hear traffic, so it’s not yet 5 a.m. Maybe it’s 4 or 4:30. Four-thirty would be good—that would mean I’ve had a solid block of sleep, with time for a little more. I’ll go with 4:30.
Slowly, I roll over to peek at the glowing digits on the bedside clock. 1:18.
1:18? It’s only 1:18? Damn.
I run through a mental list of sleeping tips: Stay relaxed, calm and positive. Don’t dwell on insomnia. Acknowledge it and move on. Try to fall asleep, but don’t think about trying to fall asleep.
Unfortunately, in the middle of the night, it’s hard to think about anything else. I can go downstairs and watch TV or stay in bed and read; my husband bought me a tiny light that clips onto a book to help me trudge through these dark hours. Sometimes reading helps to knock me out, other times it doesn’t.
AdvertisementEventually—often fatigued from reading—I’ll shut off the light, close my eyes, and wait to slip away. But I can’t fool myself into sleeping, and all my stressful thoughts move in, pushing any pleasantries from my mind. Work meetings and deadlines, minor house chores or massive renovations that our old farmhouse needs but we can’t afford. Doctors’ appointments for the kids, car repairs and other speed bumps that disturb the flow of the workday. And darker thoughts, like the worry that sleep deprivation is harming my health, or that certain illnesses might run in our family. Troubling thoughts flood everything, washing away the happy, positive ones.
What’s left? At best, a catnap.
I didn’t always struggle with sleep. In fact, I slept for seven or eight undisturbed hours every night in my 20s and early 30s. Until 2004, when I was 33 and my father started displaying signs of confusion and forgetfulness. Through months of doctors’ appointments, Dad swore he was fine, but I knew he wasn’t. I started awakening each night—never consciously thinking about him, just roused, as though someone had nudged me. For five weeks, I subsisted on a few hours of sleep cobbled together every night. I had a job as a staff writer for a monthly magazine and struggled through work in a haze, sometimes ducking into the bathroom to rest my head on a stall wall and doze. Then my doctor prescribed medication for insomnia.
AdvertisementThree months later, my dad was diagnosed with early-onset dementia, and once that awful news sank in, I slept soundly again without any medication. For a couple of years I was fine. Then my insomnia returned and became a persistent condition. Sometimes it lies dormant—an ironic but accurate term—and I sail through the night and reach the morning well rested. But then it resurfaces, and I can’t figure out why. It’s incredibly frustrating and debilitating, not to mention lonely. But I’m not alone.
Another common cause of drowsiness is poor sleep quality. Even if one manages to get the recommended hours of sleep, factors like sleep disorders, uncomfortable sleeping environment, or disturbances during the night can disrupt the sleep cycle and lead to excessive drowsiness during the day. **Ensuring a conducive sleep environment and addressing any sleep-related issues can significantly reduce drowsiness**. Additionally, lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise can also contribute to drowsiness. Consuming heavy meals or foods high in carbohydrates can cause a spike in blood sugar, followed by a crash that leaves one feeling drowsy. Lack of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle can also lead to sluggishness and drowsiness, as exercise helps improve blood circulation and increase energy levels. **Maintaining a balanced diet and incorporating regular physical activity can help combat drowsiness**. Finally, certain medications, medical conditions, and mental health issues can also cause drowsiness. Prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications often have drowsiness as a side effect, and chronic illnesses like sleep apnea or insomnia can disrupt sleep patterns and result in excessive daytime sleepiness. Mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety may also cause drowsiness due to the impact they have on sleep and energy levels. **In such cases, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment**. In conclusion, the curse of drowsiness is a common problem that affects many individuals due to factors such as lack of sleep, poor sleep quality, lifestyle choices, medications, and underlying medical or mental health conditions. **Taking steps to address these factors, such as prioritizing sleep, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and seeking medical advice when necessary, can help alleviate the curse of drowsiness and improve overall well-being**..
Reviews for "The Curse of Drowsiness: The Impact on Relationships and How to Overcome It"
- Jason - 2 stars - I found "The Curse of Drowsiness" to be extremely dull and unoriginal. The plot was predictable and the characters lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them. The pacing was slow, leading to a boring and tedious reading experience. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
- Sarah - 1 star - I had high hopes for "The Curse of Drowsiness" but it left me feeling completely underwhelmed. The writing style was unengaging, and I found myself struggling to stay interested in the story. The concept of the curse itself was interesting, but it failed to be fully explored, and the resolution felt rushed. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development. I was expecting more from this book and was left thoroughly disappointed.
- Emily - 2.5 stars - While "The Curse of Drowsiness" had a unique premise, the execution fell flat for me. The writing was mediocre, with weak dialogue and excessive descriptions that didn't contribute much to the overall story. The pacing was erratic, with slow moments followed by rushed action scenes. The characters were forgettable and lacked complexity. I was left unsatisfied by this book and wouldn't recommend it to those seeking a captivating read.
- Mark - 2 stars - "The Curse of Drowsiness" had potential, but it failed to live up to it. The plot felt disjointed and lacked coherence, making it difficult to follow the story. The pacing was off, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed and confusing action. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointing read.