Sleeping Facts To Make You Think
We all want to wake up refreshed and ready to face the day ahead!
But you might be interested to read about all these sleeping facts we have discovered that can affect how well we sleep.
What are hypnic jerks?
Have you ever experienced the sensation of falling just as you’re about to fall asleep? It is quite a common occurrence and is known as hypnic jerks or sleep starts. These are involuntary muscle contractions that usually occur just as you are changing from an awake state to a sleeping state. It is not clear exactly what causes them.
We can function longer without food than without sleep
After several days of no food, you will feel weak and look thinner but if you go several days without sleeping, you will not be able to function. Sleep deprivation has even been used as a form of torture.
How quickly do you fall asleep?
Falling asleep in less than five minutes can indicate you could be suffering from a sleep disorder and are actually sleep deprived. It is normal to take anything between ten to twenty minutes to fall asleep at night but insomnia could be the cause if you take longer than twenty to thirty minutes.
Humans are the only mammals known to willingly delay sleep.
Humans are able to keep themselves awake even when their bodies are showing signs of tiredness and need to go to sleep. On the other hand, all other mammals are unable to delay their sleep, succumbing to their need to sleep.
Daylight saving time is not good for our health and wellbeing
This is especially so when we lose an hour of sleep with hospitals in the USA reporting a spike in heart attack visits. Those same visits drop when six months later the clocks are turned back giving everyone an extra hour of sleep. Isn't it long overdue for the daylight saving habit to cease?
Women usually get more sleep than men
Women and men’s circadian rhythms, which is the body’s 24-hour internal clock, are slightly different. On average, men have a longer circadian rhythm by six minutes, meaning they feel less tired in the evening. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to have a shorter internal clock, meaning they tend to both go to bed and wake up earlier. In addition, studies have concluded that women need more sleep than men - in fact some twenty minutes more. The researchers attributed women's multi-tasking and the use of more parts of their brain as to the the reason why.
How long can you recollect your dreams?
Within five minutes of a dream ending, we will forget fifty percent of what we dreamt and after another five minutes, most of the rest will be gone. Apparently, you need to try and recall (and even record) your dreams within ninety seconds of waking up. Some scientists claim that, on average, people who dream more often and more vividly have higher IQs.
Lack of sleep can lead to overeating
Research has found that those who sleep less at night could eat more throughout the day when compared with those who have plenty of sleep. Lack of sleep creates an imbalance in the body that decreases the levels of leptin. This is the hormone that tells the brain when we are full while increasing levels of ghrelin, the hormone that tells our brain we are hungry.
Lack of sleep can also lead to hyperalgesia
Hyperalgesia is an increased sensitivity to pain. Research found that sleepy individuals exhibited a more rapid finger withdrawal response (reduced pain tolerance) to radiant heat than non-sleepy participants.
We grow taller while we are sleeping
But then we lose that 0.3 inches again during the day. When we lie down to sleep every night, gravity isn’t pushing down on our spine, leading to its stretching. As the day continues, however, the spine compresses back and we lose that height once more.
Do you have a favorite sleeping position?
- The fetal position can be linked to shyness and sensitivity.
- People who sleep on one side with arms outstretched may be open-natured yet somewhat suspicious and tend to stick to their decisions
- Those sleep on their stomach with hands up or under the pillow could be linked to a sociable nature and a dislike of criticism.
Above are just eleven of the interesting facts about sleep. But there are many more. To continue reading, click here and it will take you to a further list of facts.
In the meantime, if you are having trouble sleeping, our H-Sleep Aid Formula could be the all natural remedy for your symptoms.
Goodbye sleeping pills, hello sleep aid formula
- All natural and safe to use
- Non habit forming
- Helps you relax and get a good night's sleep
- Leaves you feeling refreshed and alert homeopathic ingredients.
SOURCES:
What is insomnia? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/inso#. (Accessed, Feb 11, 2021).
Insomnia fact sheet. WomensHealth.gov. http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/insomnia.html. (Accessed, Feb 11, 2021).
Sleep-wake disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. http://www.psychiatryonline.org. (Accessed, Feb 11, 2021).
Sleep disorders: The connection between sleep and mental health. National Alliance on Mental Health. http://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Related-Conditions/Sleep-Disorders. (Accessed, Feb 11, 2021).
Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.