Daily Journal: 27 October

Practically Sleeping

Our biological clock is on a 24-hour circadian rhythm, influenced by light and darkness.

When the sun rises, we are basically programmed to rise as cortisol is released through our body, helping us to awaken and become alert. When the sun sets, melatonin is released, helping us to wind down and prepare for sleep.

When we use digital devices at night, and when we spend too much time on them during the day, we are off-setting our body’s natural balance to sleep. Devices emit a blue-light that reduces or delays the natural release of melatonin. It also reduces the amount of time we spend in two stages of quality sleep rhythms, important for cognitive functioning.  https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/how-electronics-affect-sleep

Consider, also, what we’re looking at on our screens that disrupts our mental and emotional well-being. In our digital age we consume much more information than we naturally would. We are seeing and hearing things that negatively impact us. Realistically, we weren’t designed to consume it all at such levels in such a sustained way. It is shaping our society. How is this affecting our mood, our thought processes, the emotional baggage we’re carrying, our responses to the world, family, and how this is influencing our rest and relaxation?

By comparison, ask ourselves:

When was the last time I strolled across grass in bare feet and felt the breeze, or walked on the sand at the beach and enjoyed the sound of the waves, watched them roll in and out? When was the last time I sat outside and just listened to the birds and watched the clouds drift across the sky? Or enjoyed doing nothing else but absorbed the sound of the rain as I curled up inside? Have I played an actual board game or card game with my family recently, instead of a device driven game? When was the last time I put my device out of reach or hearing to do any of these things?

Pulling ourselves back to nature and more natural rhythms and interactions in relationships makes a demonstrable difference and positive impact on our overall peace and well-being. As I’ve been making these changes lately, the result on my quality and length of sleep has been undeniable and bringing an immeasurable level of relief and pleasure to life that is hard to put into words.

The bible speaks about sleep as a necessary blessing, and a time that God watches over His people.

Psalm 4:8 (GWT)

I fall asleep in peace the moment I lie down because you alone, O LORD, enable me to live securely.

Psalm 127:2 (ESV)

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

Psalm 121:3 (NCV)

He will not let you be defeated. He who guards you never sleeps.

It’s a time where He also speaks to us, through dreams and directly from His Spirit to our spirit.

Matthew chapter one tells us of multiple dreams God sent Joseph instructing Joseph to keep his family safe when he didn't know the impending danger. He was receptive to dreams because his mind and body were relaxed enough to sleep properly. And he took them seriously.

The stages of sleep that produce dreams are so important to our health, yet they can be negatively influenced by imbalanced use and reliance on digital devices.

Sleep is important and a gift from God, just like each day is a gift from God. We need to make sure we protect this blessing.