23 interesting facts about sleep 

A child sleeping 

(Pixabay) 

1. Man is the only mammal that can intentionally delays sleep.

2. When we sleep, we typically drift between two sleep stages, REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM, in 90-minute cycles. Non-REM sleep has four stages with distinct features, ranging from stage one drowsiness, when one can be easily awakened, to “deep sleep” stages three and four, when awakenings are more difficult and where the most positive and restorative effects of sleep occur. However, even in the deepest non-REM sleep, our minds can still process information. REM sleep is an active sleep where dreams occur, breathing and heart rate increase and become irregular, muscles relax and eyes move back and forth under the eyelids.

3. Higher altitude can disurb sleep due to diminished levels of oxygen accompanied by changes in respiration. For this most people take approximately two to three weeks to adjust in new environment with high altitude.

4. Generally, regular exercise helps to come sleep much easier. It contributes a sound and deep sleep also. However, exercising occasionally or just before going to bed will make falling asleep more difficult.

5. The body rests during sleep, however, the brain remains active, gets “recharged,” and still controls many body functions including breathing.

6. Caffeine can hinder sleep significantly. In fact during official time or exam time most of people drink coffee and tea to avoid falling asleep during their work time. 

7. Sleep experts say most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night for optimum performance, health and safety. 

8. A person deprived from sleep can have various health related problems such as obesity and high blood pressure, negative mood and behavior. 

9. According to a survey more than eight in ten respondents think that people often or sometimes misuse prescription for sleeping pills. 

10. We naturally feel tired at two different times of the day i. e at about 2:00 AM and 2:00 PM. It is this natural dip in alertness that is primarily responsible for the post-lunch and post-dinner dip.

11. Sleep is actually as important as diet and exercise for every living creature.

12. Sleep disorders can increase the risk for chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases.

13. Lack of proper sleep can increase our appetite due to the rapid fall in leptin levels as leptin is an appetite-regulating hormone. 

14. Difficulty falling asleep is one of four symptoms generally associated with insomnia. The others include waking up too early and not being able to fall back asleep, frequent awakenings, and waking up feeling unrefreshed. Insomnia can be a symptom of a sleep disorder or other medical or psychological/psychiatric problem, and can often be treated by consulting a doctor or other health care provider. 

15. Scientists still don’t know like human if animals dream during REM sleep or not.

Sleeping of animals 

(Pixabay) 

16. Newborns sleep a total of 14 to 17 hours a day on an irregular schedule with periods of one to three hours spent awake.

17. According to sleep experts, teens need at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night, compared to an average of seven to nine hours each night for most adults. Their internal biological clocks also keep them awake later in the evening and keep them sleeping later in the morning. However, many schools begin classes early in the morning, when a teenager’s body wants to be asleep. As a result, many teens come to school too sleepy to learn, but actually it's not their fault or most of cases they are not lazy at all. Probably they are sleepy as their class time zone overlaps their sleeping time zone which is instinct in them.

18. Most of teenagers probably nap in the afternoon because they are not sleeping enough at night.

19. Although most of cases snoring is harmless but it can be a symptom of life threatening sleeping disorder like sleep apnea especially if it is accompanied by severe daytime sleepiness. Sleep apnea can pause breathing by preventing air from flowing into or out of a sleeping person’s airways. People with sleep apnea awaken frequently during the night gasping for breath. If breathing pauses, it can reduce blood oxygen levels, which further can strain the heart and cardiovascular system, and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

20. Snoring frequently on a regular basis has been directly associated with hypertension. Obesity and a large neck can contribute to sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be treated. Men and women who snore loudly, especially if pauses in the snoring are noted, should consult a physician.

21. Waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to go back to sleep is a symptom of insomnia. some research suggests relaxing imagery or thoughts may help to induce sleep more than counting sheep, which may be more distracting than relaxing. Whichever technique is used, most experts agree with the fact that if one do not fall back asleep within 15-20 minutes, he should get out of bed, go to another room and engage in a relaxing activity such as listening to music or reading and return to bed when he feel sleepy. Avoid watching the clock. He may washing his face and underarm which helps him to become relaxed and refreshing and in turn helps him to fall asleep. 

22. Excessive daytime sleepiness can be dangerous and puts a person at risk for drowsy driving, injury, and illness and can impair mental abilities, emotions, and performance.

23. Insufficient sleep has an adverse effect on growth hormone secretion which is directly related to obesity. As the amount of hormone secretion decreases, the chance for weight gain increases. Blood pressure usually falls during the sleep cycle, however, interrupted sleep can adversely affect this normal decline, leading to hypertension and cardiovascular problems. Research has also shown that insufficient sleep impairs the body’s ability to use insulin, which can lead to the onset of diabetes.