THE HISTORY OF SNOOZING How the Art of Sleep Has Changed Over Time
Sleep Gaps While many modern sleep experts support the consecutive eight-hour sleep regimen, historically, people had completely different sleep schedules. Medieval society actually had two sleep sessions a night — known as biphasic sleep — with a gap of wakefulness in between to eat, pray, talk, read, or write by candlelight. But by the 1920s, this practice of having two sleep sessions each night entirely receded from the social consciousness. Historians attribute this shift to innovations in artificial lighting and work schedules during the Industrial Revolution that required workers to stay up longer and sleep less. Cozy Blankets Most people find it difficult to sleep without some kind of covering, like a blanket, over their bodies. While researchers of the past entertained the idea that blankets offer some kind of primal protection for sleepers, they now
There are few things in life that feel better than crawling into a comfy bed after a long day. Sleep is an essential part of human health. After a mere 24 hours of sleep deprivation, bodily functions and mental faculties start to go haywire, and 11 days seems to be the longest a person can live without sleep. While people acknowledge that sleep has always been a necessary part of human existence, very few know how drastically nightly routines have changed over time. Here are three significantly different historical approaches to sleep. Brain Floods For centuries, theorists associated sleep with blood loss and other health problems. But by the 1800s, notable physicians blamed sleep on a process known as congestion theory. In this theory, sleep was thought to be brought on by an overwhelming flow of blood to the brain, effectively flooding it and sending sleepers into a dreamlike state.
believe the coverings help with temperature regulation, as maintaining a comfortable body temperature is necessary for good sleep. However, according to a recent study conducted in Sweden, weighted blankets help with much more than just temperature. Due to the added pressure, weighted blankets provide deep pressure touch (DPT), which increases the body’s amount of serotonin — a chemical that helps decrease blood pressure and rapid heart rate. Because of the effects of increased serotonin, weighted blankets are believed to help with anxiety and insomnia. While sleep patterns may change over time, the human need for sleep will not. As you crawl into your bed tonight, take some time to think about the way your ancestors approached their nightly snooze sessions. It’ll put you to sleep faster than counting sheep.
BEET, MINT, AND RICOTTA HUMMUS
Fortunately, Joanne is a straight shooter.When I asked her about the trip, she told me everything, the good — how amazing it felt to stand on top of the mountain — and the bad — howmany people had internal bowel issues along the way.When she was done, I said, “That sounds amazing! I’m glad you told me all about it because now I never have to do it.” FOMO, or “fear of missing out,” is one of those big reasons our lives get cluttered.We see howmuch fun everyone else is having, the great adventures they’re on, and we worry that we should also be having adventures. If you really want to go hiking every day after work, then you should do that! But if you’re happy to go home and sit on the couch with your dog, why make yourself unhappy by telling yourself you should be doing something else? When I start to experience FOMO, I need to ask myself if that experience is something I really want in my life. If not, I need to tell myself no and refocus on my own priorities. More often than not, those priorities don’t involve climbing mountains. We can have a different priority in each area of our life; we have to focus on what’s essential in our work or in our relationships. But we also have to recognize what’s most essential in our lives.What is our one true priority?
INGREDIENTS
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1 6-ounce beet (about the size of an adult fist), scrubbed 1 15 1/2-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1/3 cup tahini, well-mixed
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1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
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1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup ricotta cheese 1 garlic clove, grated
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Mint leaves, poppy seeds, and olive oil, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Wrap beet tightly in foil. On a foil-lined baking sheet, roast wrapped beet until fork tender, about 60–70 minutes. 3. While beet is roasting, blend chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice,
4. Once beet is cool enough to handle, use a paper towel to remove beet skin. Trim root end and cut into small pieces. Add to blender or food processor, and blend until entire mixture is smooth. Add additional salt if desired. 5. Transfer to a shallow bowl, top with garnishes, and serve.
When we answer that question, it’s easy to say no to all the other clutter.
ricotta, garlic, salt, pepper, and coriander until smooth.
–Dr. Leslie Pitner
Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine
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