In a powerful wake-up call to corporate India, leading sleep medicine expert Dr. Seemab Shaikh has issued a stark warning against the dangerous trend of glamorizing sleep deprivation. The renowned specialist delivered his crucial message during the November edition of Samvaad, hosted by CEO Clubs at Cedar Oaks Café in Poona Club.
The Alarming Reality of Sleep Disorders
Dr. Shaikh, a pioneer in treating obstructive sleep apnea, presented shocking statistics that highlight the growing sleep crisis. Sleep apnea now affects more than 34% of the population, significantly higher than diabetes (17-18%) and HIV (19%) worldwide. This makes sleep disorders one of the most pressing health concerns of our time.
The session, titled "Sleepless in Success," featured an engaging dialogue between Dr. Shaikh and Dr. Anil Pillai, behavioral strategy expert and president of CEO Clubs, Pune Chapter. Attended by leaders across multiple sectors, the event combined serious conversation with practical insights about the critical importance of sleep.
Corporate Professionals at Rising Risk
Dr. Anil Pillai shared concerning observations about changing sleep patterns among working professionals. "Ten years ago, we mostly saw sleep disorders in people above 40 or 45. Today, we are seeing them in people as young as 25," he revealed in conversation with The Indian Express.
Dr. Pillai emphasized that business leaders often overlook sleep's strategic value in corporate performance. "If you show them how sleep impacts productivity, it resonates. But the awareness itself is missing," he noted, highlighting the need for greater education about sleep's role in professional success.
Practical Solutions for Better Sleep
Dr. Shaikh outlined essential sleep hygiene measures that everyone should implement:
- Maintain a fixed sleep schedule consistently
- Avoid screens and digital devices at least one hour before bedtime
- Keep room temperature at approximately 25°C
- Ensure complete darkness in the sleeping environment
- Avoid tea, coffee, and sugar after 3 PM
- Complete dinner at least two hours before sleeping
He emphasized that the biggest indicator of healthy circadian rhythm is feeling fresh after waking up. A proper wind-down routine helps signal the body to slow down and prepare for restorative sleep.
The Biological Necessity of Sleep
Dr. Shaikh opened his presentation by defining sleep as a fundamental biological requirement, not a luxury. "We spend almost 33% of our lifespan in sleep, it has a purpose," he stated, stressing that sleep should never be taken lightly.
He explained how oxygen deprivation caused by chronic sleep loss can trigger cognitive deficits, hypoxemia, and long-term deterioration. Sleep plays a crucial role in regeneration processes affecting digestion, immunity, brain health, and long-term cognitive function.
"The brain does not have the power for simple tasks, let alone important decision making, without proper sleep," Dr. Shaikh warned corporate leaders.
Calling for a cultural shift in how we perceive sleep, Dr. Shaikh concluded: "We need to stop glamorizing lack of sleep. Unless and until the importance of sleeping as well as the long term consequences of neglect are drilled into people's heads, it's going to be a battle."
