Catshanghai

Not getting enough sleep can be a big source of stress in any city, especially Shanghai.

The Reader’s Digest website suggests that a lack of sleep is bad for the mind and body when it states:

Blessed sleep — the holy grail of health. Lack of sleep can send your blood sugar levels skyrocketing, contribute to weight gain, lead to depression, put you at risk for diabetes, and cause brain damage.
That’s just the warm-up. Sleep deprivation can alter your levels of thyroid and stress hormones, potentially affecting everything from your memory to your immune system, heart, and metabolism.
Achieve a Deep, Uninterrupted Sleep: Nighttime Habits | Healthy Living | Reader’s Digest

I have just enjoyed the most restful week’s holiday over the Chinese New Year so thoughts and feelings about not getting enough sleep should be far from my mind. However, last night’s nation wide firework onslaught trashed any hope that I ever had about getting any sleep.

It is unfortunate to be called back to work on the morning after the noisiest night of the year. The end of the fourth night of Chinese New Year is an extreme example where fireworks are unleashed as offerings to the Money Buddha. Fortunately, this annual festivity does not happen everynight.

Still, there is something about Shanghai city life that conspires to stop you from getting to sleep at a decent hour. That would be fine if I was a jazz musician, but many of us have to getup early for work everyday weekday morning. Shanghai is chronically noisy in terms of its traffic and bustling people. It is a city that lights up at night so you feel that you want to wake up at the moment when you should be going to bed. Party goers are constantly being tempted to frequent bars, jazz venues and night clubs. There is no escape at home as there is an endless supply of unfinished work assignments or DVDs to keep you awake for half the night. Other stresses and worries can also be an obstacle to getting enough good quality sleep.

One or two nights of sleeplessness seem almost manageable, but then its effects gradually creep up on you as stress, irritability, poor concentration and low productivity take their toll.

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Tags: Shanghai, stress, sleep