Sleeping is one of the most important things that we do in our lives. Sleep is not wasted time. Sleep is very essential for a healthy body and mind. Most people need to get about 9 hours of sleep each night but majority of people only get about 6 or 7 hours of sleep. If you do not get enough sleep you will suffer from sleep deprivation.
Symptoms that may be experienced with sleep deprivation are falling asleep randomly at work or school, irritability, difficulty waking up in the morning, and difficulty concentrating. After being exposed to long term sleep deprivation depression can be a very serious symptom.
Your body repairs itself while you are sleeping. Your body repairs body cells while you are sleeping. Sleep slows the metabolism, heart beat and rate, which helps the body replenish after daily activities. Sleep releases growth hormones in young adults and children. While you sleep you are also strengthening your immune system and nervous system. Sleep is necessary for survival.
There are 2 different kinds of sleep, NREM or non-rapid eye movement and REM or rapid eye movement. The 2 different types of sleep are very different and affect the body in many ways. Most of us fall asleep within 10 to 20 minutes of going to bed.
The body then begins the sleep cycle. The first 4 stages are NREM sleep. Stages 1 and 2 are light sleep where you can be waked easily and the muscle contract. In stages 3 and 4 our brain waves slow and we enter into deep sleep, waking someone in this stage can be very difficult. There is no eye movement or muscle activity at this point.
In stage 5 happens after about 90 minutes of sleep. It is characterized by dreaming and rapid eye movement (REM). No muscles move at this point. The first REM state only lasts about 5 minutes long. But they will get longer with each cycle. More than 2 hours a night can be spent dreaming. The cycles of NREM and REM sleep repeat through out the night.
People often get sleep disorders, they often have trouble sleeping and it can cause difficulties in everyday life. Delayed sleep syndrome is caused by changes in the body’s internal clock because of puberty. It happens mostly to adolescents so it is normal for a preteen to become a so called “night owl” when the family is getting ready for bed. But that also means that they will sleep later in the morning so it is best to try to keep them on a normal schedule.
There are lots of things that you can do to make sure that you get a good night sleep. If you eliminate caffeine from your diet and set a regular sleep schedule then you will sleep better. Try to avoid exercise before bedtime, wear comfortable clothes to bed, and make sure the room isn’t to hot or too cold. Over stimulating yourself before bed will cause it to be hard to fall asleep, so watching TV, listening to music, or using the computer before bed might not be a good idea.
Using meditation or relaxation techniques will help to reduce stress and relax you before bed. A bubble bath is very relaxing as well. Counting sheep works because it is repetitive and lacks in stimulation. Alternative Health Supplements offers a few sleeping aids that are all natural so they are safe to use. One of those products is sleep support formula. It will help you relax into a deep, restful sleep. It contains valerian, chamomile, peppermint, passion flower, hops, skullcap, and melatonin for the best night’s sleep you can get.
Steven Johnson is interested in maintaining a vital and healthy lifestyle. For more information on various health products and other life-enhancing nutrients please visit his website Alternative Health Supplements.
|
