Is Sleep Really Necessary?
I have to wonder... is sleep really necessary? Oh sure I'm exhausted a lot of the time what with a 60+ hour work week, graduate school and trying to keep up with everyday details of life (laundry, groceries, cleaning the house) but think how much more I could get done without sleep!
Heck, I might even have time to a) exercise and b) have a social life. Maybe I could get some hobby time in there too.
But you what? If we could do away with sleep I will bet that several things would happen: 1) we'd end up putting even more hours in at work which defeats the purpose of not having to sleep as far as I'm concerned; 2) the government would somehow tax those extra hours and 3) insurance rates would go up. Think about that last one. Without 6 to 8 hours downtime more people would be on the roads at all hours (car insurance) resulting in more injuries (health insurance)... spending more time exercising and/or engaging in outdoor activities could also lead to more sports injuries and doing more work around the house (no more excuses for not cleaning those gutters) could also mean more trips to the ER.
On second thought spending a chunk of the day asleep isn't so bad after all.
Okay, so next time someone says there simply aren't enough hours in the day and suggests that we ought to do away with sleep smile politely, nod wisely and go take a nap.
Heck, I might even have time to a) exercise and b) have a social life. Maybe I could get some hobby time in there too.
But you what? If we could do away with sleep I will bet that several things would happen: 1) we'd end up putting even more hours in at work which defeats the purpose of not having to sleep as far as I'm concerned; 2) the government would somehow tax those extra hours and 3) insurance rates would go up. Think about that last one. Without 6 to 8 hours downtime more people would be on the roads at all hours (car insurance) resulting in more injuries (health insurance)... spending more time exercising and/or engaging in outdoor activities could also lead to more sports injuries and doing more work around the house (no more excuses for not cleaning those gutters) could also mean more trips to the ER.
On second thought spending a chunk of the day asleep isn't so bad after all.
Okay, so next time someone says there simply aren't enough hours in the day and suggests that we ought to do away with sleep smile politely, nod wisely and go take a nap.
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