LACK OF SLEEP CAN KILL

The ramifications of not getting enough sleep can lead serious consequences. Many Americans are pushing their rest to the limit and their quality of health too.

by Bolling Smith

J

ust like everything else, the pandemic has changed the way we sleep. With most workers staying remote, it means that you now can work day and night depending on your desires. It also means you can lose serious rest if you don’t take some time away from work and find a workable balance. While having a work/life balance is important, many people are not able to mentally get away from their jobs due to the ever-changing world we live in. This lack of sleep or rest is making zombies out of most people and impacting their quality of life. It only takes one day to experience the side effects of lack of sleep, and the consequences of it can be deadly if you are not careful. “My work schedule changes and I find myself struggling to stay awake when I drive sometimes,” Carlos, from Old Brooklyn, said. “If I find myself getting sleepy, I will pull over in a rest area and get rest before I drive halfasleep.” Carlos is not alone. Many Americans are feeling the

Here is how the body tends to respond when you stay awake:

1 Day

Staying awake for 24 hours can affect you in much the same way as intoxication. Research from 2010 suggests that staying up for 20 to 25 hours affects your focus and performance as much as having a blood alcohol level (BAC) of 0.10 percent. In most places, you are legally drunk when you have a BAC of 0.08 percent. You are going to want to avoid driving or doing something potentially unsafe if you have been up for a full day and night. A sleepless night can have other effects, too. You might notice things like: • daytime sleepiness • fogginess • changes in mood, like crankiness or a shorter temper than usual

• difficulty concentrating or making decisions • tremors, shakiness, or tense muscles • trouble seeing or hearing “I work third shift, so I understand the need to get the right amount of sleep,” Tina, from Canton, said. “It takes my body about five days to adjust to a new schedule if it changes. If I don’t get good rest, then it impacts my ability to do my job.”

stress of inflation, being overworked, and having to pay more while making less income. If you throw in the random gun violence and our current political climate, people are feeling overwhelmed, and our quality of sleep and way of life are under assault.

Lack of sleep impacts us all differently. Depending on your line of work, lack of sleep can be life-threatening. Anyone who drives for a living needs to pay special attention to getting the proper amount of sleep. Andre, from Cleveland, said, “I have been driving for Amazon for the last two years and I can admit that the night runs have me feeling like a zombie during the day. If I drive for multiple nights, it takes a toll on my body and mind.” Multiple nights with little to no sleep only increases the dangers associated with not getting the proper amount of rest.

2 Days

When you go without sleep for 48 hours, things start to get miserable. You may drift through the day, feeling foggy or completely out of touch with what is happening. General effects of sleep deprivation usually worsen. You might find it even more difficult to concentrate or remember things. You may also notice increases in irritability or moodiness.

The effects of sleeplessness on your immune system also intensify after two days. This can increase your chances of getting sick since your immune system can’t fight off illness as well as it usually would. Staying awake also becomes challenging. After two full days without sleep, people often begin experiencing what is known as microsleep. A microsleep happens when you lose consciousness briefly, anywhere from a few seconds to half a minute. You don’t realize what’s happening until you come to, but you will be reawakened with some

confusion and grogginess.

If you have gone three days without sleep, things are about to get weird. Chances are, you won’t be able to think about much besides sleep. You will find it difficult to focus on conversations, your work, and even your own thoughts. Even simple activities, like getting up to look for something, might seem too difficult to contemplate. Along with this extreme exhaustion, you might notice your heart is beating much more rapidly than usual. “Research from 2010 suggests that staying up for 20 to 25 hours affects your focus and performance as much as having a blood alcohol level (BAC) of 0.10 percent. In most places, you are legally drunk when you have a BAC of 0.08 percent.”

“I know that I need sleep if I’m falling asleep at red lights,” Charles, from Bedford, explained. “Because I drive an hour to work, then work ten hours, and then drive an hour home, I know that if I’m too tired, I will sleep in the car before I start my drive. You will also notice changes in mood or problems with emotional regulation. It’s common to experience feelings of depression, anxiety, or paranoia after going without sleep for a few days. Going without sleep for this length of time can also affect your perception of reality, which can:

Reality TV is creating a culture of jealousy and hate among young girls in America.

• cause delusional thinking and hallucinations

• make you believe inaccurate information is true • trigger what is called the “hat phenomenon,” which happens when you feel pressure around your head There are no quick answers for those who suffer from poor sleep. Getting as much rest as possible might mean a change in career, creating better sleep habits, or altering your lifestyle. However, you attack the problem could mean the difference in causing an accident while driving or putting other people in danger while working. The bottom line: investigate your options to get more rest and quality sleep. Your life and those you love to depend on it. ●

The body will steal opportunities for sleep when it needs it.

[ LIFE ] MUSIC NEW MUSIC FROM BOSS LUCCI

Cleveland recording artist releases new music and shoots up the charts while trying to stay connected to his loyal followers that demand the best in his music

by John Horton

Boss Lucci

R

ecording artist Boss Lucci has come a long way from his complex upbringing on the gritty streets of Cleveland, Ohio. Boss Lucci takes that upbringing and puts it in his music.

With flawless flows, slick wordplay, unpredictable rhyme patterns, and a vast ambition, Boss Lucci raps with old school dedication and raw individuality. Releasing his debut single Neighborhood Superstar in 2017 along with two Mixtapes one in 2018 Free Nights n Weekends and Henny Gold n Denim in 2019 prepared him for future success.

Boss Lucci is back with his biggest hit yet Last Night Drinking. In a world full of painful departures, his art gives listeners reason to believe that, somehow, as he advances, the people who he’s left behind will still be waiting for him at the end. If you are looking for something new to listen to you can go to www.nervedjmixtapes.com and download Boss Lucci’s music. Cleveland continues to develop artists for the national stage and Boss Lucci is no different. ●

Today’s children can feel intense societal pressures and want to hide.

FASHION BLACKOWNED SPIRITS

CODE M does it’s best to support Black-owned businesses. Blending business and fashion means celebrating some of the best spirit brands in America with style and grace!

Written by LARON HARLEM

A wardrobe shopper, stylist and accessories designer who specializes in dapper looks that truly appeal to the most discerning eye. mailto:styledbydecar-lo@gmail.com, https://www.styledbydecarlo.com/

MR DENNIS KEARNEY

MR DAVID THOMPSON

2/3 OF THE OWNERS OF SIPSOUTH VEGAN WINE

Sip & Share Wines is a boutique winery producing a diversity of handcrafted vegan wines. We're passionate about creating community with wine, especially for wine lovers often overlooked and underrepresented by the wine industry. @sipsouth https://sipandsharewines.com

MR JAMES ROACH

MR KWELLIN GORDON

2/4 OWNERS OF GREENWOOD WHISKEY

Greenwood Whiskey is a premium African American owned rye whiskey brand that symbolizes a celebration of community, success, entrepreneurship, & excellence. These attributes were pillars of the Historic Greenwood District neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma – also known as, “Black Wall Street” that have inspired us to strive for greatness. By 1921 the community of Greenwood was home to 600 African American owned businesses; the largest concentration in the US during a time when African Americans didn’t have many rights or resources. Our brand is a celebration of “Black Wall Street” and the visionary entrepreneurs that came before us.

@greenwoodwhiskey https:// www.greenwoodwhiskey.com/

MR KEVIN JON

OWNER OF ISLAND JON VODKA

Island Jon Vodka was founded by Levi and Kevin John. Hailing from the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago, Levi has spent his life on stage and traveling the world as a musician. In his decades of island living and world travel, Levi learned that there is nothing more important than embracing unforgettable moments. It’s this attitude that IslandJon Vodka is distilling their award-winning craft vodkas. @islandjonvodka https://islandjon.com