The Definition of Sleep and What it Does

Why Is Sleep Important?

Sleep needs no definition, especially for most people who have longed for the sweet experience of deep slumber,   Sleep may be defined as that stage in which a person is supposed to experience total relaxation of body and mind.  During sleep, a person is less conscious and less active but his brain is at work.

Proper sleep is important if a person is to keep to his normal duties the next working day.  A person who gets little sleep will be more irritable, less focused and more fatigued the next day.  Getting less sleep for one night can be an irritant to most people; getting less sleep for weeks can be extremely detrimental to health.

People who lack sleep can wake up troubled the next morning.  And, while a person who lacks sleep can still do his normal tasks, he could be doing it in a robotic way and he can start acting like a zombie.

While lack of sleep can cause minor disturbances and changes in a person’s behavior and working patterns, it can cause a major catastrophe when a sleep deprived person attempts to drive and subsequently causes an accident.  Sleepy drivers have caused deadly accidents on the highways.  This is no joke when you consider that almost fifty one percent of drivers feel sleepy behind the wheel.  This has led to 100,000 annual crash incidents and the numbers are still increasing.

Why Do People Get Poor Sleep?

Most people are deprived of a good sleep for several reasons like a heavy workload which requires them to work late nights, too much television and a very active social life which means too many late-night parties.  There are people who experience sleep deprivation because of jet lag or changes in time zones, neighborhood noise or it may be the effect of a medication they are taking.

Other people may stay home doing nothing but they could not sleep properly because of some sleep disorders like insomnia or sleep apnea. Insomnia can be mild or severe, with mild insomnia lasting for a few days and sever insomnia causing lack of sleep for months.   A person who has insomnia can try everything but still fails to go to sleep. This can cause fatigue, poor concentration and depression the next day. 

Another cause of lack of sleep is sleep apnea or that disorder more popularly known as snoring.  Snoring is not only harmful to the person who experiences sleep apnea but also to the companion who is also deprived of sleep due to his or her bed mate’s snoring.

We will discuss severe insomnia and sleep apnea in depth in an upcoming chapter.

How to Avoid Sleep Deprivation

People who know what is good for them psychologically and physically should try to get as much sleep as possible.   It’s important to know your priorities because if you keep on prioritizing your current activities with poor sleeping habits you might end up not capable of working at all.  Party animals should keep their partying in check and limit the days when they would be out partying for most of the night.

People who can’t sleep because of sleep disorders should see their doctors as soon as possible to get proper treatment.  Some disorders like insomnia may just be a result of stress of emotional disturbances but it can also be deeply rooted as when the person is suffering from a psychological imbalance.

Some people may feel refreshed after seven hours of sleep or more.  However, there are people who can recharge their energies even after only four hours of sleep.  It is not really the hours of sleep that is important but the regularity of your sleeping schedule.

Many busy people have found a way to keep up with sleep by taking power naps, which refers to short naps that can last to a maximum of 15 minutes.   People who commute and who use public transportation can also use their travel time to get power naps provided they keep their belongings safe and they can estimate the time needed for them to reach their destinations.

People who experience sleep disorders should also refrain from drinking beverage with caffeine like coffee, tea or even alcohol as these can affect their sleeping habits.  It is also advisable to get some easy exercise or stretching during the day or before sleeping time.  Reading a  boring book that can also get you to sleep.
 
Lack of sleep can cause poor memory so students who have to take examinations the next day should avoid cramming and get enough sleep the night before the big day.  Losing sleep before an exam can make you feel tired and forgetful the next day.  You won’t like the results!

It is also advisable to keep a regular sleeping schedule no matter how many hours of sleep you have.   Do stay on your schedule and if you cannot really go to sleep, it is best to get out of bed and do things that you have been postponing like arranging your photos and their negatives.
 
There is no standard number of hours for a very good sleep because each person has his own sleeping hours.  It is, however, up to you to make sure that you get enough sleep every night.

Insomnia and apnea will be discussed in depth in upcoming chapters.