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 The sleep divorce phenomenon

 sleep divorce, also known as sleep separation, is a growing trend where couples choose to sleep apart from each other, either per­manently or temporarily. This decision can be driven by various factors, ranging from sleep disorders to relation­ship issues. In this article, we’ll delve into the reasons, benefits, and challenges of sleep divorce, providing insights and guidance for cou­ples considering this arrange­ment.

Reasons for Sleep Divorce

1. Sleep Disorders: Snor­ing, insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome can disrupt a partner’s sleep, leading to fatigue, irritabili­ty, and resentment.

2. Different Sleep Sched­ules: Shift work, irregular hours, or differing sleep preferences can make sharing a bed challenging.

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3. Personal Space and Comfort: Some individuals require solitude, silence, or specific sleeping conditions to recharge.

4. Relationship Issues: Conflict, intimacy problems, or emotional disconnection can lead couples to seek sep­arate sleeping arrangements.

5. Health Concerns: Cer­tain medical conditions, such as chronic pain or sleepwalk­ing, may necessitate separate sleeping quarters.

Benefits of Sleep Divorce

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1. Improved Sleep Quality: Sleeping apart can lead to better rest, increased energy, and enhanced mental clarity.

2. Increased Productivi­ty: A good night’s sleep can boost productivity, focus, and overall well-being.

3. *Better Mood*: Ad­equate sleep can reduce irritability, anxiety, and depression.

4. Personal Autonomy: Separate sleeping arrange­ments can provide individuals with much-needed alone time.

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5. Relationship Rejuvena­tion: Sleep divorce can help couples rekindle intimacy and connection outside of sleep.

Challenges of Sleep Di­vorce

1. Emotional Distance: Sleeping apart can lead to feelings of disconnection and isolation.

2. Impact on Intimacy: Re­duced physical closeness can affect emotional intimacy and relationship quality.

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3. Logistical Challenges: Separate bedrooms or sleep­ing arrangements can require adjustments.

4. Social Stigma: Some may view sleep divorce as uncon­ventional or problematic.

5. Communication Break­down: Failure to discuss sleep needs and boundaries can exacerbate relationship issues.

Navigating Sleep Divorce

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1. Open Communication: Discuss sleep needs, con­cerns, and boundaries.

2. Set Boundaries: Estab­lish a sleep plan and respect each other’s space.

3. Prioritise Intimacy: Schedule regular date nights or intimate activities.

4. Re-Evaluate and Adjust: Regularly assess the arrange­ment’s effectiveness.

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5. Seek Professional Help: Consult therapists, sleep specialists, or counsellors for guidance.

Conclusion:

Sleep divorce is not a sign of relationship failure but rather a proactive approach to addressing sleep-related challenges. By understanding the reasons, benefits, and challenges, couples can make informed decisions about their sleep arrangements. Effective communication, mutual respect, and flexibili­ty are key to navigating sleep divorce successfully.

Question: Is sleep divorce a sign of relationship prob­lems?

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Answer: Not necessarily. Sleep divorce can address specific sleep-related issues.

Question: How do we main­tain intimacy while sleeping apart?

Answer: Schedule regular date nights, intimate activi­ties, or meaningful interac­tions.

Question: Will sleep di­vorce affect our social life?

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Answer: Openly commu­nicate your arrangement to friends and family.

Question: Can sleep di­vorce improve our relation­ship?

Answer: Yes, by address­ing sleep-related issues and prioritising intimacy.

By embracing sleep divorce as a viable solution, couples can prioritise their individual sleep needs while nurturing their relationship.

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By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson

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Features

The insanity of leadership: Understanding the dark side of power

 Introduction

Leadership is a vital component of any organ­isation, influencing the success and well-being of its members. However, when leaders succumb to insanity or dysfunctional behaviour, the consequences can be catastrophic.

This article delves into the dark side of leadership, exploring the types, con­sequences, identification, and mitigation strategies for insanity in leadership.

The Five Faces of Insanity in Leadership

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Research has identified five primary types of insane leadership:

1. Narcissistic Leadership: Self-aggrandisement, lack of empathy, and exploitation.

2. Autocratic Leadership: Dictatorial behaviour, sup­pressing dissent and feed­back.

3. Impulsive Leadership: Spontaneous decisions, disre­gard for consequences.

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4. Passive-Aggressive Lead­ership: Indirect resistance, sabotaging decisions.

5. Emotionally Unintelli­gent Leadership: Inability to manage emotions, empathise with others.

The Devastating Conse­quences

Insane leadership can have far-reaching consequences, including:

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1. Toxic work environment and high turnover.

2. Poor decision-making and neglected expertise.

3. Eroding trust among team members and stake­holders.

4. Decreased productivity and efficiency.

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5. Reputation damage and loss of credibility.

Identifying the Red Flags

Recognising insane leader­ship patterns requires atten­tion to:

1. Employee feedback and concerns.

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2. Performance issues and declining productivity.

3. Frequent conflicts and tension.

4. Lack of accountability and transparency.

5. Unprofessional behaviour and language.

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Breaking the Cycle

To mitigate insane leader­ship, organisations can:

1. Implement leadership development programmes focusing on emotional intel­ligence.

2. Conduct 360-degree feedback and constructive criticism.

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3. Establish performance management with clear ex­pectations.

4. Develop succession plans and identify potential re­placements.

5. Remove harmful leaders when necessary.

Prevention is Key

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Proactive measures can prevent insane leadership:

1. Psychological evaluations for leadership candidates.

2. Diverse perspectives and inclusive decision-making.

3. Accountability mecha­nisms and regular feedback.

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4. Culture of transparency and open communication.

5. Ongoing leadership de­velopment and coaching.

Conclusion

Insanity in leadership can have catastrophic conse­quences. Recognising and addressing dysfunctional patterns is crucial for main­taining a healthy, productive work environment.

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By promoting leadership development, accountability, and transparency, organiza­tions can prevent insanity in leadership and thrive.

By Robert Ekow Grimmon

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Features

 What is happening?

 If God allows us to live long enough, I will not be sur­prised to see a child slap­ping his dad without remorse due to the madness engulfing our society.

Most Ghanaians would love their children to become Med­ical Doctors which they view as prestigious careers. In fact most Doctors have conduct­ed themselves well over the years and so have created a good reputation for the pro­fession, although it must be emphasised that there have been some incidents involving medical Doctors which have tarnished the reputation of the profession.

In fact some of the inci­dents have been very horrible leading to needless loss of lives which makes you wonder if those Doctors were indeed qualified to be in that sensi­tive profession.

However on the whole, public perception has been very positive and Doctors are held in high esteem in our society.

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Recently, a public statement was issued by the Ghana Med­ical Association and tongues have started wagging. This is due to the fact that a Doctor’s job is a very sensitive one.

A mistake by a medical officer can either make or unmake a person. If a teach­er makes a mistake, it can easily be corrected without it destroying any life. If an accountant makes a mistake, it can always be corrected.

Money may be lost in the process but when the mistake is detected, the money can be retrieved so in a sense, noth­ing has gone wrong. However, if a Doctor performs surgery using the wrong x-ray, as happened to an elderly man a few years ago, the damage caused, can never be reme­died.

Therefore for the Gha­na Medical Association to announce that some of its members come to work under the influence of alcoholic substances etc. is very, very, worrying.

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Can you imagine an intox­icated person performing surgery on you and you are forced to ask, what is happen­ing?

This brings to mind a joke about a man who had hernia and went to the hospital for it to be resolved. This man apparently had a challenge with the English language but did not want people to know that.

Therefore when the Doctor came to his bed and picked up the chart attached to his bed, which had mistakenly been swapped with someone’s own, he asked the patient, “Castra­tion, why do you want to be a priest?”

The patient smiled and responded, “Yes castration”. He was then wheeled into the theatre and when he woke up at the ward after the surgery, he felt light, down there and sensed something was really wrong.

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He soon realised that he had lost what makes him a complete man. Someone’s mistake and his own proud attitude had cost him dearly. The report also mentioned drug abuse and that really scared me.

Who in his right mind would allow a wee smoker to per­form surgery oh him? My brother told me of a surgery he had abroad and when the doctors came around him, one of them was rasta-haired with a ring in his ear and he told me that he nearly got up from the bed but remembered that if he was not qualified, they will never allow him to prac­tise as a medical officer so he kept his cool.

There have been stories of pieces of surgical equipment being left in the tummy of patients by medical person­nel and so for the association to lament this situation of decline in professionalism is deeply worrying.

Some bad nuts are really tarnishing the image of the profession and now you hear of sexual harassment. How low can it get? I am an advo­cate for restricting gynaecol­ogy to only females, given the sexual harassment complaints.

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By Laud Kissi-Mensah

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