Review by Frank Plowright
Beginning a book on insomnia by explaining the demise of the koala bear since the arrival of Europeans in Australia might not seem obvious, but this isn’t a conventional self-help manual. Their decline provides an example of human greed, which is then connected to the stresses of life in the post-industrial era, with a compulsion to be productive ingrained in so many people. Maureen Burdock came to a personal realisation after many decades of insomnia, and Sleepless Planet began as her documentation process as she began a quest for better sleep. The process took three years, during which a discovery was made of sleep being an individual matter. A solution working for some may not aid others.
Insomnia is a massively widespread condition, affecting around a quarter of the world’s population, linked with assorted life-threatening conditions, and Burdock comes up with a surprising list of possible causes beyond stress. For instance, you can be young and fit, but have a condition known as upper airway resistance syndrome, which many doctors don’t recognise. That’s just the start of a long list of suggestions as to what may be obstructing breathing at night, yet respiratory obstruction is merely one possible reason for poor sleep. Burdock is similarly expansive about others, and freely diverts into associated subjects of interest such as the making of didgeridoos or gut microbes. You’re either going to find these diversions fascinating or distractions from the core topic. One that should be essential reading, though, is Burdock relating the pernicious history of vegetable oils, particularly the part played by the American Heart Association. It sounds like a health advisory organisation, but is funded by industry.
Burdock’s art is functional rather than decorative, but there’s enough imagination behind the illustrations to ensure the art conveys the messages rather than distracting from them. She’s also found a convenient method of categorising possible causes and treatments via the elements of fire, water, earth and air.
There are several occasions during her own journey when Burdock is about to start expensive treatments, but she meets the right therapist at the right time to prevent the necessity. A tip she passes on is that imitating a snoring sound with the jaw in the normal position and again with it slightly extended is an indication that medical treatment to extend the jaw isn’t required. At least in connection with blocked breathing. So many surprising revelations are supplied, not least that stress can increase cholesterol.
The disappointing news is that while Sleepless Planet transmits as an exhaustive compilation, it’s not going to offer any immediate solution to those whose sleep is interrupted. The possible causes are multiple and the more obscure require an enlightened doctor for treatment. Accompanying Burdock on her journey, though, may provide a solution that would take considerable time to arrive via regular medical appointments, but it could be hard work and require some other sacrifice. Not everyone can become a meditating teetotaller, but Burdock is extremely disciplined. Are you? Readers with enquiring minds will be thoroughly occupied from start to finish.
