National Sleep Week: Why Do We Need Sleep?

National Sleep Week: Why Do We Need Sleep?

Sleep is something we routinely do every night. We cannot avoid sleep. If the body does go into sleep deprivation, it will die faster than avoiding food, and water. Your age depends on how much sleep you need to get. As you get older, the number of hours decreases. So why do babies need more sleep than the elderly? This is because babies are constantly growing, and while we sleep, our bodies transform.

What Happens to the Body During Sleep?

Sleep not only makes us feel well rested, it helps our body to function. When we are sick, our bodies need more sleep because we fight infections better when our body is functioning at full capacity. During sleep, we process the memories and information of that day. This is why when studying, we remember more when we study right before bed. Sleeping also makes us physically healthier. We grow and repair muscle tissue, and our body’s endocrine system is kickstarted.

What Happens During Sleep Deprivation?

Sleep deprivation is caused by the body’s inability to receive enough sleep. The standard recommendation is 7-9 hours per day, but anything drastically below that tends to be problematic. People’s brains do not function well enough during sleep deprivation. Their behaviors can be erratic, irregular, and often dangerous.

The most common sleep disorders are insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy. Insomnia is the body’s inability to go to sleep, or to stay asleep. Sleep apnea affects irregular breathing patterns which the body may stop breathing during sleep. Restless Leg Syndrome is an uncomfortable sensation in the legs during sleep. Narcolepsy is when a body can instantly fall asleep during the day.

Final Thoughts

If you think you may have any of these sleeping disorders, please consult your primary care physician. If you have been diagnosed with a sleep disorder and want to tell us about it, comment below! How many of us love and cherish our beauty rest? We hope this article didn’t put you to sleep! LOL.