Unconventional Mornings
Aman Gupta, known for his role on Shark Tank India, has openly shared his rather unconventional approach to daily routines, particularly concerning sleep
and work. He admits to spending a significant portion of his evenings and nights engrossed in short-form videos, estimating nearly two hours of reel-watching before retiring. This habit leads him to forgo traditional alarms, preferring to awaken naturally when his body signals readiness. Gupta likens this to the instinctive behavior of a tiger in the wild, which operates without external time cues. His philosophy extends to the workplace; he champions a flexible approach to office hours, believing that a 9 or 10 am start isn't a universal requirement, as he himself doesn't adhere to such schedules. This perspective challenges conventional notions of productivity, suggesting that output isn't necessarily tied to a rigid timetable but rather to individual autonomy and natural cycles.
The Science of Sleep
Contrary to Gupta's liberated approach, Dr. Prashant Makhija, a consultant neurologist, emphasizes the critical role of rhythm in optimal brain function. He explains that erratic sleep and wake times disrupt the body's internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm. This rhythm governs a multitude of physiological processes, including hormone regulation, alertness levels, digestive functions, and even the robustness of the immune system. While waking up naturally can be healthy, Dr. Makhija clarifies that this is only viable if sleep onset and wake times are consistent. When sleep patterns are irregular, waking up 'whenever you want' often signifies that the brain is operating without a stable biological schedule. This inconsistency can lead to a cascade of negative effects, impacting not just sleep quality but also cognitive abilities and long-term health.
Modern Sleep Disruptors
Dr. Makhija highlights modern technology, specifically screen time before bed, as a primary culprit behind sleep disturbances. The blue light emitted from electronic devices suppresses melatonin, the crucial hormone that signals the brain to prepare for sleep. Furthermore, the content consumed, such as short, emotionally stimulating videos, actively overstimulates the brain, preventing it from winding down and instead keeping it in a state of heightened alertness. Many individuals mistakenly perceive this activity as relaxing, but neurologically, it conditions the brain to remain awake for longer periods. The repercussions of this ongoing disruption extend far beyond mere fatigue, affecting memory, mood stability, attention span, and contributing to physical ailments like weight gain and an increased risk of chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
Restoring Biological Structure
While flexibility in work and life can indeed foster productivity, Dr. Makhija asserts that biological needs fundamentally require structure. Even individuals in highly creative fields benefit immensely from maintaining consistent sleep and wake times. The brain's success, he posits, isn't measured by the freedom it experiences but by the consistency it can achieve in its fundamental biological processes. To mitigate the negative impacts of modern lifestyle on sleep, experts recommend establishing a regular wake-up time, abstaining from screen use for at least 60 minutes before bed, and incorporating a 'wind-down' period to allow the brain to transition peacefully into sleep. The essence of good sleep, therefore, is not about convenience but about honoring the intricate wiring of our brains and respecting their inherent need for a predictable rhythm.
