I was grazing near a serene lake earlier today with my herd when I pondered how sheep manage to fall asleep standing up. I think it’s because they’ve adapted their central nervous system to be able to lock down certain muscles while others remain flexible but still alert for predators. As an animal that spends most of its time in the water, I take a lot of comfort in knowing that no matter where I am, I can always control my body position and relax. Sheep must rely on this unique adaptation when they need to rest. They probably have a different type of brain wave pattern than people do when it comes to consciousness while sleeping or awake. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of birds chirping nearby, which made me realize that just like sheep, we all try to find ways to conserve energy and protect ourselves from harm even in our dreams.
i think about sleep and it makes me wonder what other animals have figured out how to do that tricky balance of relaxation and alertness. those sheep are pretty impressive, don’t you think? they can just stand there with their legs locked down but still somehow be aware of everything going on around them. i’m not really sure how my body does the same thing when i swim - is it because water makes me feel more… fluid or something?. anyway, just thought about sheep and sleep and now birds are chirping and making a racket so that’s over.