Let’s cut through some BS here…

“Sleep is for broke people.”

“Sleep is for suckers.”

“I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”

Heard anything like this before? I have. Unfortunately, I’ve also subscribed to this nonsense.

I used to work two 12 hour day shifts, followed by two 11 hour night shifts, getting broken sleep in between. Then I’d take a few overtime shifts on my precious days off. How did I survive? I think youth was the first answer – I was 30 years old. Coffee the second…ahh Tim Horton’s, my best friend. The final reason is what I call the trap of “Sleep Superiority”. The conversations went something like this:

Officer: Another overtime shift Millington?

Me: Yup! I’m taking a vacation soon and want to pay cash.

Officer: Wow didn’t you just get off? How much sleep did you get?

Me: About 4 hours last night. (Insert “poppin collar” here)

Officer: Wow man, you’re a beast!

Now I don’t know if beast was the word used. But the point is, I was praised for getting no sleep. According to research from Harvard University and the US National Sleep Foundation (sounds like a dreamy job lol), adults between age 18-64 need around seven to nine hours of sleep to avoid the risk of diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Less sleep has also been linked to a shorter life span.

Is that why policing is the occupation with the highest rate of obesity?

Is that why first responders have higher rates of early retirement than any other profession?

Is that why they are 25% more likely than the general population to die from heart disease?

Perhaps my fellow officer should have said instead: “Wow man, you’re gonna die early and fat!”

But no, both inside and outside the first responder community, you see people taking pictures of their watches at 3, 4 or 5am, posting videos about how great they are because they get up earlier than you do, and talking about “getting it” before dawn…I guess everyone wants that “worm”. Listen, I’m guilty of it too. I fell into this “Sleep Superiority” trap, both during and after my career.

I love the quote from Arianna Huffington, founder of the Huffington Post and author of the book The Sleep Revolution: “Is this what success looks like?” Newsflash – you can get sleep AND be successful. Don’t let others put you down because you love your sleep. If anyone does, simply tell them “Yup, I love my sleep, living longer, and avoiding heart disease too!”

As I write this, yes I did get up early this morning for a workout. Yes, I get up hours earlier than my wife and most of the people I know. However, I also go to bed earlier than many, and most nights I get the minimum seven hours at least – sometimes while still in front of the tv!

Life is stressful enough – for first responders and everyone else. Get your sleep. And don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for loving it!

Kwesi Millington, Resiliency Expert, Author & Certified Wellness Coach

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