KOLKATA: Football fans are bracing for a bleary-eyed weekend as Messi-Neymer and Kane-Insigne cross swords in the finals of the Copa America and Euro Cup, throwing sleeping cycles up for a toss and work schedules haywire.
With the Copa final kicking off at 5.30 am on Sunday — the match will run at least till 7am — and the Euro final slated for a 12.30am start the next morning, catching a wink will be as big a challenge for fans as the Italian defense may pose to Kane and company or Messi’s darting runs to the Brazilian defenders.
Sleep deprivation, doctors warn, could make you weary, irritable and erratic. So, try and get some sleep between the matches, they say, making sure not to sleep long enough to disturb the normal sleeping pattern. “First, don’t drive, swim or indulge in any heavy physical activity on Monday morning. Remember, if you watch both matches, you will be sleeping less on two consecutive nights, which is bound to take a toll on your system,” said Apollo Gleneagles Hospital critical care specialist Suresh Ramasubban, who heads the hospital’s sleep clinic.
Losing a few hours of sleep can be easily made up without falling ill, though, he said. “After the morning match, have your breakfast and stick to your normal work schedule. If you are working from home, don’t hit the bed immediately. Rather, take a 45-minute power nap in the afternoon and return to work. You will overcome the sleepiness and be fresh enough to stay up late for the Euro final,” said Ramasubban.
After a fortnight of watching Euro matches live till late at night followed by office in the morning, Golf Green resident Avik Ghosh says he can feel fatigue taking its toll. “These days, it feels as though I am in a stupor. Once the tournament is over, it will be sad but I will also be relieved and catch up on sleep,” the corporate executive said.
It may take a few days to get back to the normal sleep routine, said consultant Arindam Biswas. “This is true for those who have been staying up late for the last several nights. On Sunday, take short naps during the day and in case you feel unwell, skip work the next day,” said Biswas.
Sudip Naha of Swiss Park has perfected the art of power naps between matches. “Since I have my own business, I can adjust my time. I am watching the matches but utilizing the afternoon to compensate for the sleep deprivation at night,” said Naha.
