Sleep is something most people take for granted until they can’t. The last 18 months have been a personal odyssey for me, a journey into the unknown territory of extreme sleep deprivation. What started as a few restless nights evolved into a prolonged period of only 2 to 4 hours of sleep per night. As I reflect on this remarkable journey, I’ve come to understand how sleep, or the lack thereof, can transform one’s life. Here’s what sleeping so little for 18 months has taught me about sleep, life, and the power of the human mind.
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The Weight of Sleeplessness One of the most noticeable effects of my persistent sleep deprivation was a drastic change in my body. Over those 18 months, I gained 30 kilograms. The lack of sleep disrupted my body’s metabolism and made me more prone to weight gain. It became increasingly challenging to maintain a healthy diet and an exercise routine, which in turn affected my self-esteem.
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Mental Health: A Roller Coaster My mental health suffered significantly. I battled worsening depression, anxiety, and heightened impulsivity related to my ADHD. The constant state of sleeplessness seemed to amplify my emotional struggles, making it feel like I was navigating life’s ups and downs without the emotional stability to cope effectively.
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Anhedonia: The Loss of Joy Anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure, became a constant companion. The simplest of pleasures I once enjoyed were elusive. Hobbies, interests, and social interactions all lost their lustre. The chronic lack of sleep cast a shadow over my ability to find joy in life’s everyday experiences.
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The Remarkable Adaptation Strangely, my body seemed to adapt to my new sleep pattern. I discovered that I no longer needed more than 4 hours of sleep. My body’s internal clock adjusted, waking me up after approximately 5 hours. It was as if my mind and body formed an alliance to ensure I could function even on minimal sleep.
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The Power of Mind Control Sleeplessness pushed me to explore the limits of my mental capabilities. I had to learn how to control my mind and stay focused despite the constant fatigue. It was a journey of self-discovery as I realised the extraordinary capacity of the human mind to adapt and overcome, even in the face of extreme challenges.
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Lessons in Endurance Sleep deprivation taught me the art of endurance. It revealed that I could withstand and thrive under difficult circumstances. I found myself developing a mental toughness that allowed me to keep moving forward, even when every cell in my body was screaming for rest.
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The Night Owl’s Productivity Secret One surprising revelation was that nights could be more productive than days. With the world asleep, the quiet and solitude of the night offered a unique environment for creativity and productivity. It was during these sleepless nights that I tackled personal projects, wrote, and delved into my passions.
In the end, the journey taught me to appreciate the wisdom of minimalism and a meditative state. Sleep was indeed a necessity, but the greater your inertia, the more sleep you require. However, if you can minimize inertia through equanimity and a meditative state, you may find that you need only 2 to 4 hours of sleep per night.
As I reflect on my personal journey through sleep deprivation, I’m grateful for the life lessons it offered. It was a challenging experience, but it revealed the incredible resilience of the human spirit. Much like Sadhguru’s teachings on inertia, it reminded me that a meditative state and equanimity can help us minimise our need for sleep. In the end, I’ve emerged from this journey with a deeper understanding of myself, my mind, and the power of sleep in our lives. Sleep, or the lack of it, can truly be a transformative force, teaching us more than we ever imagined.