For a lot of us, our lives are chaotic and jam-packed. Our
work, taking care of the kids, the endless errands, exercise,
social events, and the daily stresses of life can invade our
days so much that the last thing we think about is this: am I
getting enough sleep, and is it the right kind of sleep I need?

It’s astonishing that 40% of adults do not get the sleep they
need to function to their optimum potential. A lack of sleep is
vital to our well-being and can have serious repercussions if
neglected.

What I’d like to do today is do a “fly-by” into the sleep
world: You’ll find out what it is, how it works, why we need it,
and the amount we need to be healthy. So, off we go into the
mysterious world of sleep.

Sleep: What is it?

Sleep can be defined as a state of unconsciousness. During
sleep, the brain is more responsive to internal stimuli rather
than external stimuli.

How Do We Sleep?

Researchers of human sleep have discovered five defined stages
of sleep using EEG recordings and polysomnography. Their
findings are as follows:

Non-Rem (NREM) sleep: Occupies 75-80% of total sleep time

Stage 1: This stage is sometimes referred to as “drowsy sleep”.
It appears at the onset of sleep and acts as a transition stage
into

Stage 2: This stage can be associated with hypnagogic
hallucinations (dreamlike images, sounds or sometimes smells
before falling asleep or waking up), a loss of muscle tone, and
a conscious awareness of the external environment. This stage
can be thought of as a gateway between wake and sleep, also be
defined as “sleep spindles”. Conscious awareness of the
environment disappears. This occupies 45-55% of your total
sleep.

Stage 3: This stage is primarily a transition into stage four.
This stage occupies 3-8% of total sleep time.

Stage 4: This stage is true delta sleep. It predominates the
first third of the night, occupying 10-15% of total sleep time.
This is the deepest stage of sleep, and is difficult to wake up
a person while they are in Stage 4. Night terrors and
sleepwalking occur in this stage.

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep

Stage 5: This stage is associated with dreaming, including
strange visual and random dreams. Rem sleep is largely found in
the final third of sleep, linking it to our circadian rhythm
(aids in coordinating the timing of our internal bodily
functions, including sleep, as well as our interactions with the
external world) and body temperature. In an EEG, his period is
active in the mind and appears similar to that of Stage 1.

Why Do We Need Sleep?

For our health. Sleep plays a vital role in our daily regimen.
As we sleep, our body is able to recharge and rejuvenate tired
body organs and tissues while restoring the body to an alert
state. This is also when your brain commits new information to
memory through a process called memory consolidation.

For our waistlines. Chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight
gain by affecting the way your body processes and stores
carbohydrates and by altering levels of hormones that control
appetite.

For safety. If you do not get enough sleep, you are more likely
to feel sleepy during the day. This sleepiness increases your
risk of falls and mistakes such as traffic accidents and work
errors.

For happiness. A lack of sleep can result in irritability,
impatience, problems with concentration, and moodiness. Sleep
loss can also make you too tired to do activities you enjoy.

For a healthy heart. Research has found a link between serious
sleep disorders and hypertension, increased stress hormone
levels, and irregular heartbeat.

To stay strong. A lack of sleep weakens your immune system.

How Much Sleep is Needed?

The amount of sleep an individual requires varies from person
to person due to lifestyle and health issues. But as a basic
rule of thumb, most adults require an average of eight hours of
sleep. Children and teenagers, because they are still growing
and developing, require approximately nine to ten hours of
sleep.

So as you can see, sleep is essential to our health and
well-being. Make sleeping important to you and schedule it if
necessary. You will notice that with enough sleep, you will be
happier, more at peace, and have a sharper mind to make it
through your sometimes chaotic day.

I wish you a wonderful slumber and many happy dreams!

About The Author: Colleen is a health and fitness enthusiast
who loves to pass on the latest information on health and
wellness. Sign up for your free e-newsletter filled with
cutting-edge information on health, nutrition, weight loss, and
fitness. For your free e-newsletter, visit
HealthyRevelations.com.

Trackback Post

Related Posts