I’m not sure if I’m envious or relieved. I’m envious of his peaceful slumber, relieved that I’m not the one who has to wake up at 5 AM to get the kids ready for school. But the truth is, I’m not envious of his sleep. I’m envious of the sleep that I used to have. The reality is, sleep has become a luxury, not a necessity.

In truth, I didn’t sleep well before any of my exams, but at the time I simply put it down to nerves and marvelled at how adrenaline can keep you going. By 2003, what was once an annoyance during exams had entrenched itself into every aspect of my life, and by that October, I finally decided to seek help from a healthcare professional. I was prescribed Zopiclone – a sleeping pill (Picture: Jenny Benjamin) My GP listened and it didn’t take him long to diagnose that I was suffering from sleep onset insomnia, a condition that describes an inability to get to sleep even when you’re tired.

I was prescribed Zopiclone – a sleeping pill that helps you fall asleep more quickly and also helps stop you waking up during the night – and some anti-anxiety medication to help with my worrying about not being able to get to sleep. Initially, both had a positive impact. I felt a lot less anxious and consequently was able to get to sleep quicker and, even better, actually stay asleep for the entire night. But medication like this is only prescribed on a temporary basis. My issue, however, was unfortunately anything but temporary. This became the start of a hellish, year-long ordeal (Picture: Jenny Benjamin)

The medication I was on, which had been working well for years, suddenly stopped working. My doctor told me it was a common side effect, but it was devastating to me. It felt like my life was falling apart.

I was becoming a ghost in my own social circle. This is a common experience for many people, especially those who are struggling with sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation can lead to a withdrawal from social activities, as the lack of sleep makes it difficult to engage in social interactions. For example, imagine a person who is chronically sleep-deprived, working late nights at a demanding job. They may find it difficult to muster the energy to socialize after a long day of work.

So in July 2019, I quit. A lot of people around me were shocked; they couldn’t believe that I would, in their words, ‘throw everything I had worked so hard for away’ just because I ‘wasn’t sleeping well’. But it was the right decision for me. For a long time afterwards, I admittedly felt guilty about placing the burden of being financially secure squarely on my husband’s shoulders. But my overriding emotion was one of relief. I also know I’m not alone in fighting this battle (Picture: Jenny Benjamin) Since stepping back from the corporate world I’ve seen an improvement in my sleep and I have found solace in spending time with my daughter and volunteering.

Millions of people around the world are facing similar struggles, and there is hope. The summary provided is a personal reflection on the experience of living with a chronic condition. The author acknowledges the frustration and anger that can arise from the limitations imposed by the condition, but also emphasizes the importance of finding hope and connection with others who share similar experiences. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the text:

Sleep deprivation is a widespread problem, affecting millions of people worldwide. The consequences of sleep deprivation are far-reaching, impacting not only physical health but also mental and emotional well-being. It can lead to impaired cognitive function, reduced productivity, and increased risk of accidents. The impact of sleep deprivation on cognitive function is particularly concerning. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can impair memory, attention, and decision-making abilities.

The NHS is facing a growing problem with insomnia and sleep apnoea. These conditions are becoming increasingly common, and the NHS is struggling to cope with the rising demand for treatment. The NHS is under pressure to provide high-quality care to all patients, but this is becoming increasingly difficult due to limited resources and staff shortages. Insomnia is a common sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both.

The provided text is a call to action, inviting readers to share their stories. It is a simple and direct message, encouraging readers to contact the author, Jess Austin, with their personal narratives. **Detailed Text:**

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