Introduction:
Sleep is the ultimate rest and relaxation activity, allowing human beings to restore and rejuvenate themselves. Surrounding sleep, there is plenty of mystery and interesting facts — making it an activity with a far more interesting history than most. There are secrets and unknowns entwined in a nightly slumber that still astound and shock sleeping humans. Here, we explore 15 interesting facts about sleep that you may have never heard before.
Fact 1: Humans Must Sleep
Unlike most animals, humans must sleep in order to survive. If a human being goes too long without sleep, it can eventually result in death, whereas other animals aren’t as reliant on sleep as humans are. This stems from the fact that humans evolved from a species that slept during the day in order to avoid predators, thus making it important for humans to catch up on sleep while the rest of the world is sleeping.
Fact 2: Dreaming Occurs During All Stages of Sleep
Most people assume that dreaming occurs exclusively during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, when the mind is most active and vivid. In reality, dreaming can happen during any stage of sleep, though the dreams are much more vivid during REM sleep, plain dream images being observed during non-REM sleep.
Fact 3: The Average Human Spends a Third of their Life Asleep
If the average human lives 80 years, then the average human will have spent 26.67 years asleep. That’s more than a third of their life, a huge portion that can reflect different things, such as how much of a big priority well-being is for the person or even how efficient they are in their daily routines.
Fact 4: Men and Women Sleep Differently
Men seem to need less sleep than women, sleeping for an average of 6.9 hours while women tend to sleep for seven hours or more. However, men’s sleep cycles are lighter and less likely to enter a deep sleep so in that regard, both genders are provided with an equal amount of restorative sleep.
Fact 5: Sleep Deprivation Has Serious Consequences
Sleep deprivation is known to have serious consequences when it comes to a person’s physical and mental health. Possible consequences of sleep deprivation can include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and a lowered immune system. Sleep deprivation can also lead to more serious problems such as depression, cardiovascular problems, and an increased risk of stroke.
Fact 6: Lack of Sleep Can Lead to Weight Gain
Sleep plays an important role in regulating our hormones, with sleep deprivation being linked to an increase in the hormones that control hunger. This can lead to an increase in appetite, meaning people who don’t get enough sleep can end up overeating and gaining weight.
Fact 7: Sleep is Essential for Memory Consolidation
While a person is asleep, different brain areas become activated and new connections between neurons are formed in order to consolidate memories. This is why most people remember the information that they studied better after getting a good night’s sleep, since sleep allows the hippocampus to form new memories and make connections between different neural pathways.
Fact 8: That Sleepy Feeling Lasts Longer Than You Think
Researchers have found that it can take up to four hours for the body to transition from a state of sleep to full alertness. This means that if you wake up earlier than your body is used to on a regular basis, you may end up feeling unproductive and groggy throughout the day.
Fact 9: Insomnia is Much More Common Than You May Think
Insomnia is a reality for many people, with it affecting up to 30% of the adult population. Insomnia can take many forms, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, waking up frequently during the night, or not feeling rested even after a good night’s sleep.
Fact 10: Animals Don’t Always Sleep at Night
Humans are not the only species of animals that need sleep; however, the schedule of when different species sleep changes drastically. Some animals, such as bats, are nocturnal animals and sleep during the day, while others, such as horses, are diurnal and sleep at night.
Fact 11: Napping Can Improve Cognitive Performance
Some research suggests that taking short naps throughout the day can help to improve alertness and cognitive performance. Short naps of about 20-30 minutes can allow the body and brain to recharge and be ready to take on new tasks.
Fact 12: Not All Sleep is Equal
Not all sleep is created equal; depending on the stage of sleep a person is in, the quality of sleep they are getting can vary. Deep sleep is when the body repairs and recovers, while lighter sleep is mainly necessary for mental processing, such as consolidating memories. Thus, the amount of time spent in certain sleep stages can make a difference in one’s overall quality of sleep.
Fact 13: You Can Train Your Body to Sleep Better
Your body can be trained to sleep better and your sleep habits can be changed through a tactic known as sleep hygiene. This tactic ensures you have good sleeping habits, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and other stimulants before bed.
Fact 14: Artificial Light Can Disrupt Sleep
Artificial light, especially blue light from electronic devices, can cause a disruption in the body’s production of melatonin, making us feel more awake even if we want to sleep. This is why it is advised to turn off and unplug electronic devices a few hours before bedtime to ensure uninterrupted sleep.
Fact 15: Sleep Disorders are More Common Than You May Think
Sleep disorders are much more common than most people may think, with an estimated 50 to 70 million people in the US alone having a sleep disorder. Common disorders range from insomnia to sleep apnea, a disorder characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing during sleep.
Conclusion
Sleep is a necessary and fascinating activity that many people take for granted. Though many may assume they know all there is to know about sleep, they may be surprised to find out just how interested and elaborate the story of sleep really is. We hope that through this exploration of 15 interesting facts about sleep, you may have learned something new!
Subscribe to our email newsletter to get the latest posts delivered right to your email.
Comments