Short sleeping is resting in small spurts, such as napping in the middle of the day or waking up at night shortly after going to bed. When a person wants a good night’s rest but sleeps in spurts, short sleeping becomes a sleep disorder. People who suffer from sleep difficulties include night shift workers, travelers dealing with jet lag, and people with specific illnesses. Over time, such sleep deprivation can result in mental fog, memory issues, emotional exhaustion, and physical health problems. Strategies for improving sleep include relaxing before bedtime, avoiding caffeine, creating a more comfortable sleep environment, and exercising early in the day.
Napping or short sleeping can be unhealthy if it prevents a person from getting a full night’s sleep. A person who travels from one country to the other side of the globe might find himself unable to sleep at appropriate times in the new time zone. Napping while the sun is out usually aggravates this issue and makes it difficult for the body to readjust. Night shift workers may suffer from insomnia due to daytime distractions that make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. People with breathing problems, coughs, or other physical issues might also have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep.
Short sleeping over an extensive period of time can result in a variety of mental, physical, and emotional challenges. Inadequate sleep interferes with information processing, reaction times, and information retention. Driving a car or operating other machinery while tired can lead to accidents and injuries. Short sleepers also often suffer from mood disorders, anger, impatience, and frustration due to feelings of perpetual exhaustion. Constant sleep deprivation can interfere with muscle development and tissue repair as well as lead to other health problems, including hormonal imbalance, heart problems, and high blood pressure.
Several strategies can be used to fall asleep and stay asleep. Inability to sleep due to anxiety can be remedied by engaging in relaxing activities before bedtime, such as reading, listening to relaxing music, taking a hot bath, meditating, and avoiding violent television shows or movies. Daily exercise also improves sleep quality and should be done early in the day to allow for nighttime relaxation. Avoiding caffeine and other stimulants at night helps the body to unwind and fall asleep. Creating a relaxing sleep environment by eliminating noise, light, and distractions will generally help to overcome the problem of short sleeping.