We all need a good sleep

By Alex P. Vidal

“I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”—Warren Zevon

THIS week I need a good sleep. I haven’t logged a normal sleep since October 8, the day I became a temporary “resident” of NYU Medical Center in Midtown Manhattan, taking care of a 93-year-old male patient, one of the multiple tasks I perform as a New York resident trying to eke out a decent living.

We understand that insomnia is a common sleep disorder that makes it hard for us to fall asleep or stay asleep.

But my case is different. I didn’t have a night of normal sleep, not because of insomnia, but because of “circumstances beyond my control” or job-related.

When we can’t get a restful night of sleep as I recently experienced, we feel tired, irritable, and unable to focus on tasks the next day.

Everyone actually has sleepless nights once in a while, but if we have trouble with a healthy sleep routine three or more days a week, according to medical experts, we might need some help to manage our sleep.

What happens when we don’t get enough sleep?

Our doctor urges us to get enough sleep for good reason as shorting ourselves on shut-eye has a negative impact on your health in many ways, according to the Cleveland Clinic:

—Short-term problems can reportedly include: Lack of alertness. Even missing as little as 1.5 hours can have an impact on how we feel.

—Excessive daytime sleepiness. It can make us very sleepy and tired during the day.

—Impaired memory. Lack of sleep can affect our ability to think, remember and process information;

—Relationship stress. It can make us feel moody and we can become more likely to have conflicts with others;

—Quality of life. We may become less likely to participate in normal daily activities or to exercise;

—Greater likelihood for car accidents. Drowsy driving accounts for thousands of crashes, injuries and fatalities each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

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FOR the first time since she became the new governor of New York State, Governor Kathy Hochul, addressing me as “friend”, recently sent me an email, which she also presumably sent to other New Yorkers:

“Friend, When I was sworn in as your 57th governor on August 24, 2021, I told you I wanted you to know that you are heard, and that I was ready to get to work as your Governor to solve the big problems this state faces.

My highest priorities: combating COVID-19, getting aid to New Yorkers, and beginning to change the culture in Albany. I’m proud to report on day 45 – the end of our transition period – we have delivered on our promises to you.

On combating COVID-19, I held firm on a nation-leading health care worker vaccine mandate to keep patients safe. I announced a mask requirement in schools so our kids, teachers and students could go back to school safely. And I invested $65 million to ensure the wide availability of COVID-19 booster shots for older and vulnerable New Yorkers. As a result of our efforts, the percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) as of Oct. 7 was up to 84.9%, compared to 78.7% on the day I was sworn in.

On getting aid to struggling New Yorkers, we have nearly quadrupled the amount of rent relief going out the door since August 24, distributing over $800 million in rent relief. I convened an Extraordinary Session in the Legislature and worked with them to extend the eviction moratorium until January 15, 2022. And we made sure immigrant New Yorkers weren’t left behind, distributing more than $1 billion through the Excluded Workers Fund.

And I’m ushering in a new era of transparency, enforcing high ethical standards in our Administration, and pushing for real, bold ethics reforms to restore trust in government.

We’re also tackling some of the most pressing issues facing our state: fighting climate change and creating new jobs — including a first-in-the-nation air quality monitoring program, putting the full force of the White House behind New York’s recovery from Hurricane Ida, signing historic parole reform into law, and putting our state’s budding cannabis industry back on track.

You can read my full 45 Day memo here. And my friends, we’re just getting started.

I’m excited for more New Yorkers to get to know me and my direct, straight-talking and decisive style of leadership as I continue to work to deliver results to the people of this state.

One of my favorite inspirations is from a speech by Teddy Roosevelt—it speaks of the man in the arena who is marred by dust, sweat and blood, stark contrast with the timid souls on the sidelines.

For the first time in New York history, a woman is in that arena as Governor. As I undertake the weighty responsibilities before me, know that I have the confidence, courage and the ability to lead New Yorkers forward. And to make New York’s women proud.

It’s our time to show the world that “ever upward” is more than just our State’s motto. It’s who we are. And where we are going.  Ever Upward, Governor Kathy Hochul”

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo)