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Sleep
The
amount of sleep that each person needs is different, because each of us is
unique. It’s therefore difficult to
say that each person must have a particular amount, although eight hours is
usually quoted as ‘average’. As we get
older, we may find that we sleep less (not more, as many people presume) but
this doesn’t mean that we need less
sleep; sleep may be lighter and less restful – research shows that people
aged 60 plus, spend less time in deep sleep.
Obviously the amount of time you spend asleep, can affect the amount
of time you are dreaming. The
stage of sleep usually associated with dreaming is Rapid Eye Movement (REM)
sleep. This is characterized by the
dreamer’s eyes rolling from side to side under the eyelids. However, there is another element of
dreaming that many people aren’t aware of, that is the body is essentially
paralysed during REM sleep. The most
popular theory as to why this is, is to stop us carrying out whatever
physical activity we are doing in our dream! Extensive studies and sleep
research has shown that we all
dream, every night, even if we don’t remember them and that sleep, including REM Sleep, is essential for our health
and well being. Other
characteristics associated with REM sleep are raised pulse and rapid
breathing. As
a society, because of our hectic 24 hour lifestyles, it is more and more
likely that people will suffer with inefficient sleep and sleep
disorders. It is estimated that sleep disorders affect
approximately 770,000 people in the Would you like to learn more about sleep? You can attend a sleep course with Faulty Winks. Click here for more information. Science has shown that not sleeping properly can
affect our memory, our performance and can increase the likelihood of
depression and anxiety. It can also
affect our ability to recall dreams and may well induce the likelihood of
hallucinations and sleep paralysis (a temporary, but worrying sensation when
we wake up and feel as if we can not move). Fun stuff:
What does your sleep position say about you? Click here to read Dr Chris Idzikowski’s thoughts. Other interesting facts and research related to sleep: *
New sleep machine
could signal the end for Insomnia.
Click here to view this article in the Daily Mail. *
Snorers cost their partners two years of sleep over
their lives together, researchers claim.
Click here to view the article in the Telegraph. *
We all hit that
difficult part of the afternoon when our energy dips, our concentration flags,
and it feels like we're not going to be able to stay awake until the end of
the workday without crawling under the desk to take a nap! Click here for some tips to beat the afternoon slump. *
If you are trying
to commit something to memory, take a nap.
Even a short daytime snooze can help you learn says the New
Scientist. Matthew Tucker at the City
University of New York and his colleagues say that volunteers who had been
allowed a nap before being tested for their memory scored 15% better than the
non nappers. Click here for more details. *
A recent article
in the New Scientist detailing research by Tarja Porkka-Heiskanen
of the University of Helsinki, Finland and her team, shows that sleep deprivation can lead to stress-related illness, such
as heart disease. You can view this
article here *
Research shows
that lack of sleep can make you feel hungry.
According to American studies, sleep loss has been shown to affect the
secretion of cortisol, a hormone that regulates appetite. *
Studies have shown that going for a nap after your
Sunday roast is hard to resist. *
A recent study by Gerhard Kloesch and colleagues from
the University of Vienna, Austria shows that sleeping in the same bed as
someone can affect dream recall. The study found, according to New Scientist,
that women tend to remember their dreams after sleeping alone and men
recalled them best after sex! For more information, you can see the New
Scientist article here *
Well being is
dependant on sleep; research has shown
that people deprived of sleep have a lower immune system and may suffer from
anxiety and depression. *
Alcohol shortens
time spent in sleep and induces restless sleep *
40% of men don’t
get enough sleep because of societies impositions (e.g. 24 hour living) *
It is estimated
that sleep disorders affect approximately 770,000 people in the *
One in three
people in the 1 Source:
House of Commons, Minutes 10/02/04 With thanks to www.FaultyWinks.com Some Tips to Improve Sleep §
Follow the one hour rule. At least an hour before bedtime, start to
wind down. Avoid watching TV or
partaking in any activity which may stimulate the mind (such as cross word puzzles
or going on the computer). §
Avoid stimulants before bedtime, such as caffeine
(coffee, tea, cola). Even decaffeinated products can contain a small
trace of caffeine. §
Avoid alcohol. Although alcohol can cause
drowsiness, it will cause sleep disruption later in the night. §
Avoid heavy meals up to three hours before bedtime (a
light snack can help, if you tend to wake up hungry in the night). §
Avoid smoking. Nicotine is a stimulant. §
Make sure your room is not too hot or cold, or too
noisy. Use ear plugs if possible and eye shades. At a crossroads in your life? Try The New Path. |
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