By Hema Ravi

Chinstrap penguins fulfil sleep in short bursts: ‘nod off’
for about four seconds each time, such a trait evolved to remain
vigilant as a lone parent left to guard the nest against predators,
to care for offspring when the other parent is away for
several days feeding, before returning to swap places.

“Nodding off’ in humans is dangerous, commonly
associated with sedatives and substance use – a state
of drowsiness and intermittent lapses into sleep!
In humans, the internal circadian rhythm determines sleep patterns.

‘Monophasic’ sleep aka normal sleeping pattern became
the norm after the Industrial Revolution, also common is the
‘Biphasic’ sleep for a long duration at night, and siesta during the day
which gives the ‘energy boost.’ For many,
‘Polyphasic sleep’ involving frequent naps in a day
helps to remain well-rested and refreshed.

Individual genetics determine sleep patterns.
Healthy diet and exercise augment good sleep;
avoidance of electronic devices, sugary foods, and caffeine
before bedtime keeps insomnia and sleep disorders away.

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Writer by passion, Hema Ravi has had a brief stint in the Central Government, as a teacher of English and Hindi for over two decades, and is currently a freelance trainer for IELTS and Communicative English. She is a poet, author, reviewer, editor, event organizer, independent researcher, and resource person for language development courses. Her articles and poems have been published in print and online journals. She is the author of ‘The Cuckoo Sings Again’ (a collection of short stories) ‘Everyday English’ ‘Write Right Handwriting Series 1,2,3’ co-author of Sing Along Indian Rhymes’ and ‘Everyday Hindi.’ As the Secretary of the Chennai Poets’ Circle, Chennai, and editor of Efflorescence, she empowers amateur writers to unleash their creative potential efficiently. She coordinates and organizes international poetry seminars and panel discussions as Secretary of Connecting Across Borders.