Sleep is the period of rest in which the sleeper loses awareness of his or her surroundings. It is when all of a person's activity decreases and muscles relax. The heartbeat and the breathing rate slow down. During the first two to three hours of the sleep, the brain sends out larger and larger waves. This is when a person goes through a dreaming period. After the dreaming period, the brain sends out small, fast waves causing the person to be awake.
Sleep is very important in the well being of all living things, especially for a healthy human being. Sleep rests the brain so it can replenish itself for the next day's activities. A human being sleeps an average of seven to eight and a half hours a day. At least 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep is recommended. Six hours of refreshing, uninterrupted sleep is preferred over 10 hours of disturbed sleep. If a person sleeping is interrupted, the brain will become active. This prevents the brain from replenishing itself.
The time recommended for sleep varies with age. Seven to eight and a half hours of sleep is the time for an average adult. Children require more sleep than adults do. Babies recommend sleeping 15 hours a day. Kids ranging from ages 4 to 10 are recommended to have 9 to 13 hours of sleep. Children getting enough sleep will help them stay healthy in their growing process. On the other hand, elders at age 60 may only need 7 hours of sleep. There are many variables when it comes to "getting enough sleep". It varies and depends on age, special medical conditions, and how active you are.When you think of how much time you spend in bed (probably 1/3 of your life!), spending money for a quality mattress is really an investment in your health. More and more research is showing that sleep quality determines affects all aspects of our waking life. Sleep is irresistible and we inevitably surrender to its temptation. Sleep is a periodic, natural, reversible loss of consciousness that might have served an adaptive role in our ancestors' survival. When darkness made travel treacherous, our ancestors were more likely to leave descendants when asleep and out of harm's way.
Sleep also serves us in other ways. It helps us restore and repair brain tissue by giving resting neurons time to heal. Sleep also enhances memory. During REM sleep, the stage of the sleep cycle during which vivid dreams commonly occur, we sift, sort, and file the day's experiences in our memory. It promotes creative thinking; sleeping on a problem, we may gain insights on the solution more readily than those who stay awake. Last but not least, sleep helps in the growth process. During deep sleep, the pituitary gland is found to release a growth hormone.While it stands to reason that we will be more effective and efficient if we are well-rested, studies are also showing that a well-rested person is also calmer during waking hours and is generally more evenly tempered.
Given this much, we now know why we sleep. The average adult sleeps 7 to 8.6 hours a day. Children sleep more than adults; they spent about 10 hours a day sleeping. Newborns, however, may sleep for nearly two-thirds of their day. There is an age-related difference in average time spent sleeping. As a person ages, they require less sleep. The elderly only spent around 6.5 hours a day sleeping.
The amount of time spent sleeping may be genetically influenced. Deprived of sleep, we run the risk of fatigue; depressed immune system; impaired concentration, creativity, and communication; irritability; and deteriorated performance. In the long-run, sleep deprivation may contribute to obesity, hypertension, and memory impairment.While it stands to reason that we will be more effective and efficient if we are well-rested, studies are also showing that a well-rested person is also calmer during waking hours and is generally more evenly tempered.
Good Night and Good Sleep
Da Maui Mattress Man
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