Sunday, October 10, 2021

Sleep: Lifehack

 Below write-up was lifted from reddit.




Each person's brain has a set number of hours of sleep that is required for proper functioning. Don't listen to your parents, co workers or boss telling you that a human only needs 4-6 hours of sleep. Less sleep over long period can lead to poor memory, mental health issues and even Alzheimer's


For example, I require 7 hours of sleep. On days where I sleep less. I'm annoyed, my memory and concentration ability is affected. I feel mentally sick through the day. Once I went a few days like this and then one day I had a good sleep. I realised how important sleep was. Your brain functions so much better. Everything is more clear.

Just pay attention to how you perform on less sleep to understand this.


There are many studies showing association of poor sleep with dementia and Alzheimer's.


There are studies that showing association of poor sleep with high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.


Edit 1: Many had asked about source for my claims


https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/sleep-deprivation-increases-alzheimers-protein



https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/lack-sleep-middle-age-may-increase-dementia-risk


https://www.npr.org/2020/11/16/935475284/scientists-discover-a-link-between-lack-of-deep-sleep-and-alzheimers-disease


https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6286721/


https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4651462/#:~:text=More%20specifically%2C%20when%20one%20sleeps,help%20maintain%20its%20normal%20functioning.


"Until recently, the latest research developments have concluded that sleeping has much more impact in the brain than previously thought. More specifically, when one sleeps, the brain resets itself, removes toxic waste byproducts which may have accumulated throughout the day [2]. This new scientific evidence is important because it demonstrates that sleeping can clear “cobwebs” in the brain and help maintain its normal functioning. More importantly speaking, this paper illustrates the different principles of sleep; starting from the non-rapid eye movement (NREM) to the behavioral as well as mental patterns with chronic sleep loss as well as the importance of sleeping acting as a garbage disposal in the body."


Edit 2: Yes I agree. Not just Quantity of sleep but Quality of sleep matters as well


https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5449130/


Edit 3: Amount of sleep required varies from individual to individual


http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/science/variations/individual-variation-genetics


Edit 4: For people saying nobody says that. 

My mom did. I followed the 6 hour thing for very long till I realised, that wasn't true and I needed 7 hours. I used to wake up at 4.30 AM to push more hours of studies ( after 6 hour sleep) man let me tell you. I was extremely sleepy and tired in class. I stopped doing that later. Couldn't keep doing that.


When I was a teenager, they never let me sleep over 8AM, even during summer holidays.


About Boss and Coworkers....In 5 months I'll become a doctor. Healthcare, depending on your speciality and job is one sector where sleep and mental health is actually ignored. I see my interns/ house surgeons staying awake   36 hours. Sometimes the job requires it. Night duties are a part of the job. Even during our undergraduate it's considered very normal to lose sleep over studying for tests and exams. Most of them sleep hardly 3 -  5 hours before  University exams. It has kinda become the norm. And yes I've heard my own friends bragging about how less they slept the previous day. It's pathetic.


In our student life these kinda extreme situations happen before exams and our exams go over a month.



(Credits to reddit post, see image above)


When we don't have exams, I keep my sleep the highest priority more than my studies and try to eat well and exercise. I'll take the stress when I have to, just before the exams.


During internship, half the interns I see are sleep deprived and stressed.


Brings me to another point. It's not possible to have a good sound sleep all the time, but we can have good sleep atleast most of the time.

Tuesday, October 05, 2021

The Happiest People Are The Givers, Not The Takers

 
The Happiest People Are The Givers, Not The Takers.

Why?

Several studies have shown what constitute the trigger to release happy chemicals from the brain. One of which is the factor of seeing or perceiving someone happy.

It matters that when a person extends something by its virtue of generosity, driven by emotions to help and make the other party-- happy, it appears that, that same emotion is two-way in nature.

It gives back, that joyful feeling of fulfillment from the giver, creating a ripple effect like muscle memories growing further to nurture the character of being a giver and being a delighted person accomplishing that virtue.



Another aspect why such behavior induces the happy hormone is because of its ability to widen the perception of the giver in to connectedness in things and its aftereffects of helping another human being.

The calm it brings to mind knowing that the other party will be in good hands after the act of generosity creates a flowing river of emotions that somehow enriches one of the basic characters of human nature-- kindness.


additional thoughts:

Somehow, back tracking in the paths of memory lane, the giver must have felt similar emptiness one way or another, on the situation of the receiving party. Which makes sense, to stop that feeling from resurfacing, by putting in action "to help" and therefore, realized through the acts of kindness and generosity.



~billymacdeus







Thursday, July 29, 2021

Winds and Memories

"No matter what happens in your life, keep an open heart and mind with a gentle smile. 
It's the true beauty of the heart" 
~ UnspokenPastels



Will you be the lost balloon lifted by the winds, snatched from the fragile hands of a kid holding the thin thread?

Or will you be just another fragment of memory, became distant that no matter how hard to remember the details, it seemed as elusive as hard in trying to reminisce?


Whichever you are, the winds shall know when the wandering balloon's spirit, will land to its rightful descent until it reaches the ground - its forlorn would be thread, so thin, it may appear invisible to the naked eye.

And the memories of the distant past shall finally reconcile with its bearer as to clear the mind and be at peace, with itself again, even for the nth unknowing time.


Thoughts & Creation by:

~ Yazsur The Kid

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Mapagpasalamat (INC 107th Anniversary Thanksgiving)

 




















hindi lamang lakas,

buhay,

salapi,

tahanan,

sasakyan,

pangangailangan,

materyal na bagay

ang ating ipagpapasalamat at
gugunitain...

kundi 'yung tayo at ang buong sambahayan
ay 'di naramay sa pandemya

'yung sapat na pagkain sa hapag-kainan

masaya ang turingan, bonding ng pamilya

matiwasay na kalooban at 'di nangangambang isipan

panatag na puso sa pag-asa at matibay sa
pananampalataya

patuloy na nakakagawa at nakapaghahanap-buhay

buo at nakatutupad ang buong sambahayan

higit sa lahat,

mapayapang naitataguyod ang kapakanang
pansambahayan, at ang kapakanang
espirituwal.





by Teacher James

original content | INC 107th Anniversary Thanksgiving


Saturday, June 19, 2021

Consistency At Its Finest


I am to write this, without further reservations, because it is but right and truthful. I feel that it needs to be aired-out digitally, or could be printed whenever pleased by anyone - who'd come to stumble this written piece.

So it's the year 2021 - - more than a year, since the outbreak of the COVID 19 Pandemic last year-March 2020. A lot has changed; as in a lot - more importantly on how people harness or sustain their spiritual needs.

Just as we eat and drink everyday, to nourish our physical bodies, so does our need to fulfill and feed our souls through the spiritual activities that we must abide by to, based on our faith, beliefs, or religion.

While most, if not all are scared, apprehensive and doubtful on how to perform religious obligations across the country - - (whereas you can't blame them, for safety purposes) there is quite a distinct organization that is fearless - as soon as the PH government approved for mass gatherings and religious activities (30% none the least), and that is, the Church of Christ (Iglesia Ni Cristo).

With all honesty, and without prejudice - despite me being part of this church, I do feel and say with conviction that the members are being taken cared off on their spiritual needs, properly and without haste.

The non-interruption of the House Worship Services across INC families are truly helpful - in a way, that could strengthen one's persistence to the everyday battles this journey of life has to offer.





I missed writing.

As i've said earlier - i'm going to write this thought-process - not to please someone from inside the Church or just so, for the sake of showing-off, or even for the sake of you-must-know-and-accept-this-truth-blah-blah, but because i wanted to express what my heart and eyes are seeing, in action, in the execution of the members of the Church of Christ, not only in the Philippines, but all throughout the world.

I shall be unwavering to narrate these first hand experiences - coming from yours truly.

On point... today commenced the yearly Holy Supper, that the church has been holding since its foundation (from Christ's era... and now to, this Christian era - re established in the Far East).

I am a living witness how the power of the Holy Spirit is within the Church, trickled down to each of the members congregating on this special occasion.

A time to be purified, a time to be washed with unclean-ness, a time for renewal, a time for the receiving of mercy and gifts of blessings from Him.

In order to gain the fortitude once more, to prepare thyself once more for the journey to come, until the end will come to last... there in the New Jerusalem - - a promised land for those, chosen ones.





~billymac



PS: According to elders and documentaries, the church endured two different world wars, and their worship services back then never stopped... It was always consistent, even now.

Be delighted! Be calmed - if you are reading this, and you are a member of the Church Of Christ - your election of the faith is true.