Sleep: Why Do We Need It?

by Matt Davids

Sleep is essential to the human race just like other animals not just due to the benefits that come with getting enough night rest but also the negative effects that result from not having enough of it. Though a person can rest during the day, maximum rest needed by the body systems such as the brain and nerves can only be achieved during sleep when one gets a total rest. Sleep is critical for good health and when a person fails to get enough of it, it could be they are not well; lack of sleep can also cause one to feel ill mentally. Sleeping patterns and quantity of sleep are influenced by several factors such as age, medication or drugs being taken, lifestyle, level of stress, anxiety and depression; pregnancy and diseases such as lung and heart problems among others. For instance, babies can sleep for up to eighteen hours with frequent breaks (they need sleep to grow), young kids usually take naps during the day. A person’s sleeping pattern changes as they grow from being a baby to an adult who requires approximately 7-8 hours of sleep. Those who are aged, sleep for lesser hours with naps during the day. There are two major states of sleep with about 3-4 cycles light sleep (non-REM) and deep sleep (REM) that lasts for about ninety minutes. Body chemicals such as hormones and processes are also linked with sleep. In order to grow and repair worn out body tissues, the growth hormones are required by the body. These hormones are secreted when one is sleeping hence the essence of sleep to the human body. This clearly explains why one can sleep soundly for longer hours after an intensive exercise, when a person is deprived of sleep or even during pregnancy. The hormones, melatonin that induces sleep, serotonin that controls mood and orexin that causes one to wake up are also associated with sleep. Thyroid glands that influence the body’s metabolic rate can also affect a person’s sleep if it is not functioning properly.Clearly, sleep is essential to the human body and it cannot function well without enough sleep. Lack of sleep can cause sleep disorders in a person that greatly affects their productivity. This book looks into what sleep is, the myths and facts about sleep that people need to know, the stages of sleep and amount of sleep that one needs per night. It also explains the relationship of sleep, stress and depression and their effects on weight loss. Sleep deprivation is a common sleeping problem that is also looked into in detail together with its signs and symptoms. Other sleeping problems and sleep disorders apart from sleep deprivation are also clearly explained and how to cope with them; it also looks into sleeping pills. How much sleep is considered safe? The book also looks into the effects of too much sleep and whether it is safe or not. You need to read on to find out. The health benefits of sleep explained in this book might just surprise you. And, to learn how to cope with lack of sleep in order to sleep better, this book is a must-read to the end! The book also features a detailed conclusion on this great topic ‘’ Why Do We Need It?’’

105 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 27, 2013

Reviews

[Ted Nierzwicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explains in thorough detail the impact of sleep on human's health- both mental and physical, our ability to learn, and development. It has the ability to change the way that you look at life by helping you understand the importance of good, uninterrupted sleep.