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stayed in bed, where they would read or write by candlelight.
ancestors. The psychologists determined that a consolidated block of sleep could be damaging if it makes people who wake up at night anxious, as this anxiety can prohibit sleep and is likely to seep into waking life too. Furthermore, they suggest that the waking period between sleeps, when people were forced into periods of rest and relaxation, could have played an important part in the human capacity to regulate stress naturally. It’s easy for parents to feel concerned about their teens’ sleep schedules. Between telling them to go to bed at a decent hour, waking them up early to catch the bus, watching them physically exert themselves on the soccer field, and helping them understand complex chemistry equations, parents get a firsthand view of their kids’ energy-draining daily routines. Often, just having a little more information about sleep in general can help assuage any fears or concerns parents feel about the number of hours their teens spend in bed.
By the 1920s, the idea of having two sleep sessions each night had receded entirely from social consciousness. Historians attribute this shift to improvements in street lighting and domestic lighting, along with a surge in coffee houses. As night became a time for greater activity, the length of time people could dedicate to rest dwindled. In an attempt to find a cure for teens’ sleep problems, modern psychiatrists conducted sleep studies to understand how the human body regulates itself when outside stimuli, like televisions, phones, and even unnatural light, are removed. Their discoveries were twofold. First, they found that after the fourth week of the study, their subjects unknowingly reverted to a sleep routine consisting of two four-hour segments. Second, they learned that the sleepers of today are far more anxious about their sleep schedules than their
Going Beyond ‘Get Well Soon’
3 Meaningful Ways to Support Recovery
If you’ve ever had a friend or loved one suffer a debilitating injury, you know how powerless you can feel to help. You want to make a difference, but in the face of severe medical challenges, it can be hard to know how. It’s important to remember that, while you may not be able to have a direct impact on your loved one’s physical recovery, there are concrete actions you can take to support them in ways doctors can’t.
loved one. Offering to be a volunteer driver or preparing a home-cooked meal can give that person a much-needed breather. Taking the time to help your friend with everyday tasks is more than just a practical gesture — it lets them know they don’t have to bear the burden of their injury alone. People faced with injuries, disabilities, and illnesses can feel emotionally isolated from their friends and loved ones. They may feel that others won’t understand their pain or that they should put on a brave face and not complain. You can’t force your friend to talk about their issues, but simply being there to SUPPORT THEIR EMOTIONAL RECOVERY.
listen to what your friend is going through makes a world of difference. Having someone who is willing to listen without judgment can provide a salve for emotional hardship.
SUPPORT THEIR RIGHTS.
Sometimes an injury can leave your loved one tangled up in disputes with opportunistic insurance companies or individuals they feel are responsible for their injuries. While you may not be able to represent your friend’s legal interests in these situations, you can introduce them to someone who can. Referring your friend to a personal injury firm you trust can help them chart a path toward just compensation for their injuries.
SUPPORT THEIR EVERYDAY LIFE.
Traumatic injuries can make many aspects of day-to-day life difficult or impossible. Simply making dinner or taking their kids to school may now be herculean tasks for your
2 • www.petrolawfirm.com
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