Nature amazes me. As I sit writing this book, I wonder how the Earth is at a perfect distance from the sun, so that life here has just enough light and heat. I marvel at how the Earth has rotated around the sun for more than four billion years, creating our seasons, while continuing to spin on its axis, which causes day and night. Nature plays a vital role in shaping sleep patterns for all creatures on Earth. Birds, butterflies, fish, mammals, and even plants respond to light-dark cycles. Humans can’t ignore nature’s long-established sleep patterns, either. Before digital technology, humans awoke with sunrise, spent most of their time in nature, and rested after sunset. They maintained natural circadian rhythms. While other species have continued to follow natural patterns, human curiosity has caused us to seek improvements to our lives. We have invented comforts like artificial light, televisions, computers, and cell phones. But exposure to natural light at the right time of day is crucial to maintaining a proper circadian rhythm. Unfortunately, we are now constantly exposed to artificial light and technology inputs throughout the day and night, making it difficult for many of us to fall asleep.
What is Sleep?
Sleep is a need-based, reversible, unconscious state induced by changes in the brain. For sleep, people typically assume a supine or sitting posture, become immobile, close their eyes, and experience decreased response to external stimulation. Brain waves, eye movements, and muscle tone can be very different during the various sleep stages.
Sleep is as natural as drinking when thirsty. We can voluntarily postpone sleep in order to fulfill our daily obligations. We can yawn, move around, walk, talk, and even drink
caffeinated beverages to fight our need for sleep. However, we can only do so much postponing before nature steps in to take over. When we sleep well all night, we feel good the next morning and are happy and ready to handle life’s daily tasks. On the
other hand, we can feel miserable, irritable, and not so happy after a night with fewer sleep hours or poor sleep quality. Ideally, people need a longer, uninterrupted, deep night’s sleep to achieve their best during their wake periods.Without adequate sleep, life becomes miserable and we risk high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack. We may also experience poor decision making and memory, feelings of stress, and be more prone to accidents. Studies have shown that the flu and pneumonia vaccines are more effective when someone sleeps well the night before the vaccination is given.
Sleep and the Brain
Interesting things happen in brain circulation during sleep, especially during deep sleep stages. Accumulated proteins, called amyloids, and other waste products and toxins are
slowly washed away via a system of interconnected structures called the glymphatic system. Sleep restores the mind and body so that we have the energy
we need, can focus during the day, and are capable of cognition. While awake, the brain accumulates several waste products. Scientific studies have shown that sleep clears
them. If not cleared, they may lead to neuronal damage and increase the risk of dementia.
A recent Boston University study that was published in Science Journal showed that water-like fluid surrounding the brain, called cerebrospinal fluid, pulses like waves during sleep and may help to flush out toxic, memory-impairing proteins from the brain. This study and others have shed light on how sleep disruption and lack of sleep can contribute to memory-impairing conditions like Alzheimer’s and age-related memory loss.
Bits and pieces of what we learn during our waking hours are stored in the brain in memory banks during sleep. This is called memory consolidation. It is one of the main reasons that learning happens primarily during deep sleep.
Simple Natural Methods to Refresh Your Mind, Body, and Spirit
Sleep Disorders
Depression (Books)
Happiness Self-Help
Date Published: April 7, 2020
Publisher: Bublish, Incorporated
“[An] incredible self-help book. Highly recommended!” Susan Keefe, The Columbia Review of Books and Film
“Dr. Buddharaju dissects the most complex sleep science into simple practical strategies that can be put to use by anyone!” — Murali Ankem, MD, MBA, Associate Dean School of Medicine at University of Louisville
Did you know that sleep is a key component for a happy life? Research shows us it is. But with all of today’s technology and stresses, many people are getting less sleep or experiencing poorer quality sleep. This can negatively impact mood, concentration, productivity, physical health and, yes, even happiness.
As a practicing physician for more than twenty years, Dr. Venkata Buddharaju (known as Dr. Buddha to his patients) has extensive experience treating patients with sleep problems. And the number of patients he is seeing with sleep disorders is on the rise.
In Better Sleep, Happier Life, Dr. Buddharaju teaches seven simple, practical, and natural methods to help you get better sleep in order to refresh your mind and body. Filled with wisdom from his years of experience as well as simple lifestyle changes, Better Sleep, Happier Life can help you find rest and refreshment in the midst of your busy life…and reap the benefits.
About the Author
Dr. Venkata Buddharaju (or Dr. Buddha, as his patients call him) is a fellowship-trained physician at the Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine from the American Board of Internal Medicine.
He now teaches and consults at hospital intensive care units and pulmonary units as well as sleep medical practices. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and teaches medical students from UIC, Chicago Medical School and Internal Medicine resident trainees at Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
He directs the Sleep Disorders Center and Clinic at Thorek Memorial Hospital in Chicago and serves as a Section Chief of Pulmonary & Critical Care at AMITA Health Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center Chicago where he teaches Internal Medicine and Family Practice Residents while working in ICU as an Intensivist. Additionally, he is president of the medical staff at Kindred Chicago Lakeshore and Central hospitals. Dr. Buddharaju has numerous medical-device patents and is working to develop more patient friendly medical devices. Throughout his career, he has conducted clinical research, published his work in various medical journals, and worked to develop and implement high quality patient-care policies. He believes strongly that balancing natural healing practices with traditional medicine is important for the future of effective health care.
For additional resources, visit www.drbuddha.com.
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