To sleep, perchance to dream…

To sleep, perchance to Dream; aye, there’s the rub (Hamlet)

Modern science has devised a scheme to test one’s sleep, simply called a Sleep Study. Not so simple, the technical term is a Polysomnogram, ordered when someone; snores, pauses in their breathing or otherwise has restless sleep. Difficulty concentrating, sleepiness during the day and morning headaches may also trigger this study.

In order to fully understand one’s sleep various bodily functions including brain activity, breathing and body movements are observed through the night. As opposed to a technician hovering over the subject counting snores or twitches, wires are attached to the legs, head and shoulders. A nose thingy is inserted to check breathing and the right index finger taped to a gadget indicating the amount of oxygen in the blood. In a back room computers monitor the indicators. A video camera is focused on the object of slumber and a two-way communication is set up so that when the time comes to go to the washroom the screams for help will hopefully bring the attendant.

Sleepwalking is out of the question.

Then there is the air conditioning, which is like being in a wind tunnel.

All of this makes it impossible to sleep.

A brief questionnaire in the morning asks, “Did you dream?”

No chance.