Wake up and grab a much-needed snooze

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JACK: I'm tired, but aren't we all?

SLEEPY ISSUE: Are we getting enough rest? Picture: Scottie Simmonds

I'M TIRED.

But aren't we all?

In a world in which early starts, late finishes and noisy neighbours (or, let's face it, noisy roommates) are about as common as a house fly (and unfortunately, in my particular noisy roommate's case, just about as good-looking), it should come as no surprise to us when "new" studies come to the fore highlighting our general lack of sleep.

Sure, we all know this quest for rest is nothing new. When did you realise your tiredness was affecting you?

Was it when you ordered a grande latte on the way to work? Was that when the realisation struck?

Or was it the fact you'd passed out on the sofa in a pile of unfolded washing after a day running around after the kids - the dog licking your face…and you being too tired to stop it?

However the realisation came, it's the same for all of us: as a society, we are tired.

And it's a problem.

Now, I've never been one to knock back sleep. It just never seemed logical.

Many a weekday morning has been slept through after "forgetting" to set my alarm.

As a child, if Mum and Dad would decide 5am was in fact too early to begin our drive to Brisbane, I wouldn't exactly argue with them.

And the snooze button on my alarm clock is the only thing I've ever shown my genuine violent side.

Quite simply, to me, it doesn't get much better than that time at the end of the day when one can lie back, shut the eyes and simply let the dreams do their thing.

After those "new" studies proved just that earlier this week, celebrity doctor Andrew Rochford couldn't help but be reminded of the problems that come from those droopy eyes.

Not only do we feel the need to throw a few more spoonfuls of caffeine in our morning cups of coffee.

Not only do Maybelline and L'Oreal products get a work-out in the morning in a desperate bid to hide the bags under the eyes.

Not only do we worry for our jobs when that lack of sleep makes it difficult to stay awake during meetings.

And of course, that has nothing to do with the meeting's content whatsoever.

However, those problems are fairly trivial.

What Dr Rochford was referring to was not so much our lack of sleep itself…but our lack of care.

See, there are plenty of things we do that are bad for our health. After all, large Quarter Pounder McValue meals, the sun and alcoholic beverages aren't exactly prolonging our lives.

But at least we know they're bad for us. We deal with them by finding a compromise.

We have fast food … every now and then.

We have fun in the sun … every now and then.

And we drink responsibly … every now and then.

Take that last one how you will.

The problem with sleep is we neglect it. With sleep, there is no "every now and then" compromise. With sleep, we constantly let our health suffer.

So, take my advice: go have a sleep.

After all, you've finished reading this. If that doesn't put you to sleep, I don't know what will.

Originally published as Wake up and grab a much-needed snooze