Sleep is essential to the human experience, and its significance is not underestimated. Nevertheless, sleep problems and disorders tend to interfere with one’s general well-being by causing a series of physical, psychological, and emotional issues. The essay will focus on sleep disorders and problems and examine cultural relativism on this issue from the viewpoint of various groups of people.
One of the most significant sleep disorders is insomnia, which is characterized by persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep (Mashaqi & Gozal, 2020). Insomnia affects tiredness, irritability, and cognitive function. It is known that the global fashion industry has a significant impact on the environment. The cultural industry significantly contributes to environmental degradation, from the raw materials used to create clothes to the labour conditions in manufacturing facilities and the energy and water consumption associated with the production process. To encourage and maintain responsibility, sleep is often perceived as a luxury in different cultures, and people might choose to work or conquer other tasks rather than get enough rest. This cultural norm might result in sleep deprivation and other sleeping disorders, as people may be concerned about how they look to society, which is why they sacrifice sleep to satisfy the excesses in the recommended actions by society. Additionally, one of the cultural tenets of sleep and hygiene, such as stimulants and the use of electronic devices near bedtime, can worsen the existing sleep disorders.
The second widespread sleep disorder is sleep apnea, in which breathing regularly becomes interrupted during sleeping. These symptoms include too much daytime sleepiness and increased prominence of health problems ranging from high blood pressure to cardiovascular system disorders. Fascinatingly, the numbers of sleep apnea occurrence rates are different in different cultures, whereby some research shows that certain race groups have the most possibility to contract the disease due to issues like nose and throat structure, body habitus and genetic predispositions. Also, cultural beliefs about obesity and sedentary lives, among others, may compound to make people suffer from the disease more often.
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder which is considered a particular type of condition that can lead to sleep during the day and unusual sleep, even during activities that require an alert mind (Chapter 4). It often becomes a life-long affliction leading to difficulties in everyday life activities and, quite frequently, loss of quality of life. The biological mechanisms of narcolepsy have not been fully shown up until now. Yet, some researchers suggest that cultural factors like stress, sleep, lifestyle and meal patterns might be among the causes of this issue and may worsen it. Likewise, those societies that care about working for extended hours or taking high levels of stimulant drugs are most likely to suffer from narcolepsy.
Sleep disorders are encompassed by parasomnias, which are sleep behaviours linked to sleepwalking, night terrors and sleep paralysis. These situations become clams for the person with the symptoms and those around them. An interesting point is how some cultures have their specific understanding of parasomnias and beliefs. Such as, in Native communities, where walking in your sleep could be considered a spiritual encounter or communication with the spirit world, that’s one example. At the same time, in other different societies, the same might be perceived as a form of possession or a symptom of insanity. Thus, the way cultural interpretations influence the perception and treatment of night terrors in every culture is highly significant.
Additionally, circadian rhythm disorders, perceived as disruptions in the body clock, can result in sleeping problems connected to timing and ease of paying attention. This is the case of people working rotating shifts across time zones or even those who sleep irregularly due to their critical business, such as ambulatory nurses. Technological advancements have led to growing dependence on technological devices and the associated blue light exposure, which has put younger individuals at an increased risk of altering circadian rhythms, as they often tend to be active even later in the night on electronic devices. This reality has bred a social jet lag concept, which consists of people having slight misalignments between their internal time-keeping and a social expectation or repair.
In addition to the sleep disorders mentioned above, cultural and generational issues may significantly influence broader concepts and ideas about sleep. For example, in some cultures, good dormancy might be conceded by strength or resilience, but in others, being well-rested is highly valued and prioritized. These cultural norms determine a person seeking sleep disorder behaviour or sleep health monitoring pattern.
Generational changes in a work-life balance, stress, and lifestyle choices can be significant factors that can lead to sleep problems and the development of sleep disorders. For instance, the more frequent practice of sedentary lifestyles, noticed mostly among youngsters nowadays, would raise the risk of obesity and objectives like sleep apnea. Moreover, we must pay attention to the role of technology and the permanent online world that social media and digital devices facilitate. Due to this, sleep routines may be disrupted, and the circadian rhythms may be altered, resulting in conditions such as insomnia.
In conclusion, sleep problems and disorders can significantly affect one’s physical and mental well-being and, ultimately, the standard of living. While the neurobiological basis of these illnesses is well documented, cultural and intergenerational factors are equally influential in shaping our experience and meaning of sleep. While recognizing the diversity of sleep concerns, we will thus be able to create more holistic and culturally aware solutions for the detection, diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Moreover, fostering a good sleep lifestyle and identifying societal and environmental issues that negatively affect sleep may result in better mental health and a cheerful existence for people of various ethnicities or ages.
References
Chapter 4. States of Consciousness
Mashaqi, S., & Gozal, D. (2020). The impact of obstructive sleep apnea and PAP therapy on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality based on age and gender–a literature review. Respiratory investigation, 58(1), 7-20.
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