Sleepers On A Train: We Want Sleep And We Want It Now | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Sleepers On A Train: We Want Sleep And We Want It Now

An escape from reality or a chance to catch some much-needed shut-eye?

100
https://unsplash.com/photos/Nk-kwpyU-r8
Photo by Lucas Ludwig on Unsplash

It's safe to say that I spent a lot of time on the train this past summer; interning in the heart of Manhattan—a whopping 70 miles from my family's house—required me to navigate through the city like a pro.

I guess spending more time on the train makes you realize things about the passengers that you wouldn't have noticed otherwise. You begin to recognize familiar faces workday after workday. The conductors may even start to remember you.

But there's something so simple and mundane about the passengers that I had never noticed before. What really struck me was that so many people are sleeping on the train.

Obviously, it's completely understandable for passengers who ride at the crack of dawn or at the stroke of midnight to struggle with keeping their eyes open. Yet, what really caught my attention was how often people take a snooze when they're riding in the middle of the day.

It's not a secret that an absurd amount of Americans struggle with sleep deprivation. I was blown away when I learned that about sixty million Americans suffer from sleeping disorders.

Americans just aren't getting as much sleep as their bodies need. Whether it's stressing from schoolwork, working long hours, dealing with family or relationship issues, or experiencing any other stress or busyness, people aren't able to secure the number of hours they need to sleep.

I'm going to assume that my sleeping patterns as a college junior are pretty similar to those of my peers. By the time I get back from work, eat some dinner, and take a shower, it's pretty late at night. Then, it's time to hit the books. Some nights are worse than others, but I always go to bed after midnight. Seriously, I can count on my hands the number of nights I've been in bed before midnight.

I often feel like there isn't enough time in the day to get things done, and this is why I stay up so late. There's always something to do, so I don't even have the luxury of sleeping in. For me, "sleeping in" is equivalent to "getting up at half-past eight". For us students, there's pretty much no way of escaping sleep deprivation.

Yet, perhaps sleeping on the train is a way to escape from reality. When paying attention to their attire and the things they bring on the train with them, it seems as if more than half of passengers use the train as a means of getting to and from work.

But even people who aren't dressed in professional clothes or lugging a briefcase with them spend the ride getting some shuteye. Everyone is just so busy; regardless of who you are or what you do in life, there's always something to do.

People use their train rides as a means of escape (along with transportation, of course). Riding on the train allows people to just sit back and … do nothing. For some, the amount of time they spend on the train is the only down-time they have during the entire day to rest their eyes and pause their thoughts. That's pretty scary.

Seeing the train from this perspective—a gift from the sleep Gods above—really makes you think about how busy and stressed-out the average American is. I know I've had my fair share of snoozes while I would make the early-morning trek to the city or on the way home after a busy day.

After all, it all comes down to one simple claim: we want sleep and we want it now.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

83702
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

10263
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments