Sleep. It’s something we all could use a little more of.
It’s where we retreat in times of stress and in those moments when we finally have a couple of hours to relax. It keeps us looking forward to the weekend—a time traditionally dedicated to recharging and staying in bed for as long as possible.
Sleep, however, is more than just something to do on a Sunday. It is a crucial component of health and the circadian rhythm our bodies create to function effectively. Read on for a crash course in understanding sleep, and what you can do to improve this necessary element of life.
Lucky for us, studying both the short and long-term consequences of sleep deprivation is a highly revered science. We now understand the function behind the circadian rhythm, and what happens to our body when we fall asleep.
When we sleep, the brain is hard at work removing waste products from brain cells, and preparing the brain for learning information and storing memories. Other health benefits of sleep include tissue restoration and
The brain is very active during sleep as it cycles through its various sleep stages. Every 90-110 minutes, the brain experiences both REM (rapid-eye movement) sleep and non-REM (NREM) sleep. These cycles are referred to this way due to the pattern of eye movement in each stage. A normal adult sleep pattern has 4 to 6 cycles of REM/NREM.
Non-REM sleep a very restorative period, and is typically associated with tissue growth and repair, bone and muscle growth, and immune system support. Once the brain has completed the many smaller cycles of NREM, going into REM sleep kicks off a deep rest associated with intense dreams and neural stimulation. This reconstructive cycle supports learning and memory retention.
When we don’t get enough sleep, our bodies aren’t able to function effectively. Sleep deprivation puts us at severe risk of metabolic disorders, heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. It can also put the immune system at risk for illness and infection.
If you find yourself struggling with sleep even when sticking to these guidelines, you may want to consider seeing a specialist. There may be an underlying medical reason for your insomnia.
Don’t sleep on our expert-level advice. Check out our blog for more tips and tools for when you need that extra nighttime support.
