Sleep -
So, I know what you're thinking: "Why is sleep important? That's easy, you need it be able to be productive and healthier! Duh!" Well, that's right, but I would like to expand more on the idea of sleep. What is sleep and why is it helpful? How many hours of sleep do you need to be able to be fully functional in the day? What effects can too little sleep give you?
Sleep seems to have two opinions on it: you either really love sleep, or you really hate sleep. For example, younger children seem to hate sleep and hate naps, while for teenagers or even older adults, we love sleep and want as much of it as we can get. It's strange how these opinions can change over the years of growing up. It makes sense, we need more sleep due to being able to do more activities like going to school or working. Or do we? Either way, no matter how young or old you are, you need sleep. There's a requirement for sleep no matter what age you are. So let's dig into that!
Sleep seems to have two opinions on it: you either really love sleep, or you really hate sleep. For example, younger children seem to hate sleep and hate naps, while for teenagers or even older adults, we love sleep and want as much of it as we can get. It's strange how these opinions can change over the years of growing up. It makes sense, we need more sleep due to being able to do more activities like going to school or working. Or do we? Either way, no matter how young or old you are, you need sleep. There's a requirement for sleep no matter what age you are. So let's dig into that!
First of all, what is sleep?
"Sleep is a naturally recurring state of mind and body characterized by altered consciousness, relatively inhibited sensory activity, inhibition of nearly all voluntary muscles, and reduced interactions with surroundings."
Why is it helpful? Why do you need sleep?
Scientists aren't entirely sure why we sleep. But, for animals, it's helpful for survival and necessary for staying alive longer. For us, it can help with keeping us concentrated while we're in school or while we're at work so that we don't feel drowsy and ultimately end up falling asleep while we're sitting in class or sitting at our desks at work. It's useful for helping our nervous systems work properly, and sleep deprivation can lead to impaired memory, impaired physical performance and it can also lead to reduced ability. But, if sleep deprivation continues, it can lead to the development of mood swings and even hallucinations. Some studies even say it can affect the immune system. So basically, sleep is essential for your body to function properly.
"Sleep is a naturally recurring state of mind and body characterized by altered consciousness, relatively inhibited sensory activity, inhibition of nearly all voluntary muscles, and reduced interactions with surroundings."
Why is it helpful? Why do you need sleep?
Scientists aren't entirely sure why we sleep. But, for animals, it's helpful for survival and necessary for staying alive longer. For us, it can help with keeping us concentrated while we're in school or while we're at work so that we don't feel drowsy and ultimately end up falling asleep while we're sitting in class or sitting at our desks at work. It's useful for helping our nervous systems work properly, and sleep deprivation can lead to impaired memory, impaired physical performance and it can also lead to reduced ability. But, if sleep deprivation continues, it can lead to the development of mood swings and even hallucinations. Some studies even say it can affect the immune system. So basically, sleep is essential for your body to function properly.
How many hours of sleep do you need to be fully functional during the day?
This varies between who you are. However, here are the recommended times for different age groups of how many hours of sleep you should get in general:
Newborn to 3 months old: 14 - 17 hrs
4 to 11 months old: 12 - 15 hrs
1 to 2 years old: 11 - 14 hrs
3 to 5 years old: 10 - 13 hrs
6 to 13 years old: 9 - 11 hrs
14 to 17 years old: 8 - 10 hrs
Young adults (18 to 25 years old): 7 - 9 hrs
Adults (26 to 64 years old): 7 - 9 hrs
Older adults (65+): 7 - 8 hrs
This varies between who you are. However, here are the recommended times for different age groups of how many hours of sleep you should get in general:
Newborn to 3 months old: 14 - 17 hrs
4 to 11 months old: 12 - 15 hrs
1 to 2 years old: 11 - 14 hrs
3 to 5 years old: 10 - 13 hrs
6 to 13 years old: 9 - 11 hrs
14 to 17 years old: 8 - 10 hrs
Young adults (18 to 25 years old): 7 - 9 hrs
Adults (26 to 64 years old): 7 - 9 hrs
Older adults (65+): 7 - 8 hrs
What are the effects of getting too little sleep? + Signs that tell you that you aren't getting enough sleep or are sleep deprived
Here's a nice, big list of some things that tell you that you aren't getting enough sleep or that you're sleep deprived:
1. You're always hungry
2. You're always cranky
3. You've gained weight
4. You fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow or five minutes of getting into bed
5. You're more impulsive
6. You have puffy, bloodshot eyes and a dull complexion
7. You have a poor memory
8. You keep getting sick
9. You have a hard time making decisions or focusing
10. You zone out regularly
11. Mood swings
12. You have trouble seeing
13. Not even energy drinks or coffee or some other energy stimulant helps you wake up
14. Your skin starts getting blemishes or your skin starts aging
15. You start dozing off when you're in a dark place
16. Falling asleep without notice
17. And finally, you become a night owl
What are the effects of too little sleep?
Here's another nice, big list of the effects of lack of sleep:
1. Causes accidents
2. Dumbs you down
3. Depression
4. Serious health problems (strokes, heart attacks, and an irregular heartbeat)
5. Yawning
6. Moodiness
7. Micro sleep, (when you fall asleep without realizing it)
8. Memory problems
9. Kills sex drive
10. Ages skin
11. Weight gain
12. Impairs judgement and cognitive dysfunction
13. Weakened immune system and response
14. Type 2 diabetes
15. High blood pressure
16. Moodiness
17. Hallucinations
18. Heart disease
19. Accident prone (to yourself)
20. And finally, increases the risk of death or accidental death
So now that you know the importance of sleep and the effects and signs of it, do you think you're getting enough sleep? Do you suffer from any of the signs or from any of the effects?
Here's a nice, big list of some things that tell you that you aren't getting enough sleep or that you're sleep deprived:
1. You're always hungry
2. You're always cranky
3. You've gained weight
4. You fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow or five minutes of getting into bed
5. You're more impulsive
6. You have puffy, bloodshot eyes and a dull complexion
7. You have a poor memory
8. You keep getting sick
9. You have a hard time making decisions or focusing
10. You zone out regularly
11. Mood swings
12. You have trouble seeing
13. Not even energy drinks or coffee or some other energy stimulant helps you wake up
14. Your skin starts getting blemishes or your skin starts aging
15. You start dozing off when you're in a dark place
16. Falling asleep without notice
17. And finally, you become a night owl
What are the effects of too little sleep?
Here's another nice, big list of the effects of lack of sleep:
1. Causes accidents
2. Dumbs you down
3. Depression
4. Serious health problems (strokes, heart attacks, and an irregular heartbeat)
5. Yawning
6. Moodiness
7. Micro sleep, (when you fall asleep without realizing it)
8. Memory problems
9. Kills sex drive
10. Ages skin
11. Weight gain
12. Impairs judgement and cognitive dysfunction
13. Weakened immune system and response
14. Type 2 diabetes
15. High blood pressure
16. Moodiness
17. Hallucinations
18. Heart disease
19. Accident prone (to yourself)
20. And finally, increases the risk of death or accidental death
So now that you know the importance of sleep and the effects and signs of it, do you think you're getting enough sleep? Do you suffer from any of the signs or from any of the effects?