Why You Should Avoid Sleeping In These Places

Don't Sleep in the Subway is a song written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent and recorded by the British singer Petula Clark, who released it as a single in April 1967. The song is about a narrator advising her sweetheart against storming out after an argument due to his foolish pride. The song also refers to the risk of sleeping in the subway or standing in the pouring rain. While the term subway typically refers to a pedestrian underpass in England, Hatch used the term in the North American sense. Aside from its artistic value, the phrase don't sleep has also been used in a literal sense to refer to the prevention of system shutdowns and hibernation modes in computers.

Don't sleep in the subway

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song by Petula Clark, released in April 1967. The song was written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent and became one of Clark's most popular hits. The song's lyrics are directed at the singer's sweetheart, advising him against storming out after an argument due to his "foolish pride". The song warns that if he does, he will be sleeping in the subway or standing "in the pouring rain", simply to prove his point.

The song's title has a double meaning. In the song, "Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a cautionary phrase, but it also serves as a reference to the Broadway musical "Subways Are for Sleeping", which inspired the title. In England, the term "subway" refers to a pedestrian underpass, while Hatch used the term in the North American sense, referring to an underground transit system.

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" was nominated for a Grammy award in 1968 for Best Contemporary Song, but lost to "Up, Up and Away" by The 5th Dimension. Despite this, the song was a commercial success, reaching No.5 on the US charts and becoming Clark's final US Top Ten single. It also reached No.1 in Australia and Rhodesia, and the top 10 in several other countries.

The song has been covered by several other artists, including Frank Sinatra, Betty Chung, and Mari Wilson. It has also appeared in various TV shows and films, including "Malcolm in the Middle" and "Monty Python's Flying Circus".

So, while the phrase "Don't Sleep in the Subway" may initially sound like a warning to avoid sleeping on the underground train system, it is actually the title of a popular song by Petula Clark, with a meaning rooted in the narrative of its lyrics.

Health risks of sleep deprivation

Sleep is foundational to health and wellness. Sleep deprivation can have a major impact on your health and everyday functioning. Here are some of the health risks associated with sleep deprivation:

Fatigue and Lack of Energy

Sleep deprivation causes fatigue, low energy, and excessive sleepiness, which can affect your ability to do the things you enjoy and carry out day-to-day tasks. Even missing as little as 1.5 hours of sleep can have an impact on how you feel.

Poor Balance and Coordination

A 2021 study found that sleep deprivation negatively affects the way you walk, and other studies have shown that a lack of sleep can impair your sense of balance. Both of these effects increase your risk of accidents, falls, and injuries.

Mood Changes and Mental Health Issues

Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Research shows that people with insomnia are twice as likely to experience depression, and about 80% of people with depression have insomnia. Sleep deprivation can be both a symptom and a contributor to mental health issues.

Forgetfulness and Neurological Concerns

Deep sleep is necessary for learning and memory consolidation. When sleep is interrupted, your brain struggles to properly catalog its memories. Sleep deprivation can also cause neurological disturbances, as it is during sleep that the brain clears out toxins that accumulate during waking hours. A build-up of these toxins is associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease.

Weakened Immune System

Sleep deprivation negatively impacts your immune system. When you don't get enough sleep, your body starts making more white blood cells, creating an imbalance that weakens your immune system over time. This makes you more susceptible to illnesses and slows down your recovery.

Weight Gain and Obesity

Sleep deprivation disrupts key hormone levels that regulate hunger and weight maintenance, such as ghrelin, leptin, and cortisol. It can increase your appetite, especially for calorie-dense foods, sweets, and snacks. Chronic sleep deprivation is a risk factor for weight gain and obesity.

Cardiovascular Disease

Sleep deprivation can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure) and is associated with a higher risk of hypertensive heart disease. It can also contribute to other health conditions, such as arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm), obesity, and Type 2 diabetes, all of which can further increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Increased Risk of Other Health Issues

Chronic sleep deprivation is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment, dementia, pre-diabetes, thyroid and hormonal issues, and Alzheimer's disease. Sleep is necessary for the regulation of blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, and a lack of sleep can impact your diet and physical activity levels, further contributing to health risks.

Tips to fall asleep

Falling asleep can be a difficult task, especially when you are tired and it is taking longer than expected. Here are some tips to help you fall asleep faster:

Stick to a Sleep Schedule

Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps to regulate your body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm, which plays a crucial role in determining when your body is ready for sleep. By keeping a consistent sleep schedule, you can programme your body to feel sleepy at the right time and wake up feeling refreshed.

Establish a Relaxing Bedtime Routine

Engage in calming activities before bed, such as reading a book or listening to soothing music. Keep the volume low and avoid stimulating content that might activate your brain when you're trying to wind down. You can also try relaxation techniques like meditation, mindfulness, or deep breathing exercises to calm your mind and body.

Make Your Bedroom a Sanctuary

Keep your bedroom quiet, cool, and free from distractions. Remove work tools and electronics from your bedroom, or at least out of sight from your bed. Use your bed only for sleeping, so that your brain associates it primarily with sleep. Consider rearranging your furniture or switching up the décor if necessary to create a peaceful atmosphere.

Avoid Caffeine, Tobacco, and Heavy Meals Close to Bedtime

Caffeine and tobacco are stimulants that can disrupt your sleep. Avoid consuming them at night, and limit caffeine intake in the early afternoon or altogether if you're sensitive to its effects. Heavy meals and excessive fluids close to bedtime can cause indigestion and frequent awakenings to use the bathroom, so stick to light meals and beverages instead.

Limit Screen Time and Blue Light Exposure

The light emitted by electronic screens can interfere with your sleep. Put away your phone, laptop, or tablet at least 30 minutes before bedtime to signal to your brain that it's time to unwind. If you must use devices before bed, consider using blue light filters or night mode to reduce the impact on your sleep.

Exercise During the Day

Physical exercise has a positive impact on sleep quality. Aim to get some exercise during the day, but try to avoid vigorous workouts too close to bedtime as this may disrupt your sleep.

Don't sleep: a computer program

"Don't Sleep" is a small, portable computer program that prevents unexpected system shutdowns, standby mode, hibernation, restart, and log-off. It is especially useful when running older software on modern operating systems, such as Windows 7 or Windows Vista, where more aggressive power-saving features may interfere.

The program achieves this by sensing when the screensaver is about to activate or when the computer is about to enter sleep mode, and then convincing the operating system that important tasks are in progress, thus preventing the computer from sleeping.

In addition, "Don't Sleep" includes a timer that allows users to control when their computer shuts down or unblocks after a specified time. This is particularly useful for long downloads or software installations. The program does not require installation and can be executed from the desktop or carried on a USB stick or other memory devices.

However, it is important to note that frequent use of "Don't Sleep" can drain the battery more quickly than usual.

Don't Sleep in the Subway song

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" is a song written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent and recorded by British singer Petula Clark. It was released as a single in April 1967 and featured on Clark's 1967 album, "These Are My Songs". The song is constructed from three different sections of music previously composed by Hatch, transitioning from pop to symphonic, and then to a Beach Boys-like melody for the chorus.

In the lyrics, the narrator is a woman advising her sweetheart against storming out after an argument due to his "foolish pride". She warns him that if he does, he will ""sleep in the subway" or "stand in the pouring rain" just to prove his point. In England, the term "subway" refers to a pedestrian underpass rather than an underground transit system, and Hatch used the term in the North American sense. The song's co-writer, Jackie Trent, stated that the title lyric was inspired by the 1961–62 Broadway musical "Subways Are for Sleeping".

"Don't Sleep in the Subway" was a commercial success, peaking at No.5 on the US charts in July 1967 and becoming Clark's final US Top Ten single. It also reached No.1 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, following her previous hit, "I Couldn't Live Without Your Love". The song charted at No.12 in the UK, marking a decline in Clark's UK chart profile. Despite this, "Don't Sleep in the Subway" was well-received internationally, reaching No.1 in Australia and the top 10 in several other countries, including Rhodesia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa.

The song has been recorded by numerous other artists, including Betty Chung, Rita Hovink, Marilyn Maye, Matt Monro, Patti Page, Frank Sinatra, Caterina Valente, and Mari Wilson. It has also appeared in popular culture, including in an episode of "Malcolm in the Middle" and performed by characters in the 2014 "Glee" episode "New New York".

Frequently asked questions