Sleeping and Dreaming Part II

Sleeping, dreaming, learning, and functioning really all go hand in hand.

First and foremost though, I have to do away with the supposed phrase 'We all need eight hours of sleep.' 'Tis false. Very false. Because of our individual bodies and singled way of handling situations, each one of us is different in our sleeping habits (although we should be getting an adequate dose of sleep a night). Also, your sleep habits may be geneticaly influenced. So, if your parents or grandparents have a history of sleeping disorders than you may very well be predisposed to them as well.

A sleep deprived person may have a weakened immune system, impaired concentration, and greater risks of accidents. While you're sleeping, body tissues are being restored. During the time we're awake, adenosine is being produced, which inhibits sleep. And during the time we're sleeping, adenosine is suppressed and the brain is active. Therefore, more sleep=less adenosine=healthier you the next day. There have also been findings on the process of growth while we sleep. From what I understand of this, the pituitary gland releases hormones while sleeping and the older we get the less & less of this hormone is released (stopping growth).

All in all, it is very important to treat yourself to enough rest and sleep. When it comes down to studying for a major test the next day and you're fighting off sleep... an all nighter is NOT the answer. Study for an hour before you go to sleep and while you sleep, your brain will process most of what you've studied. Study more after you wake up in the morning and while you take your test, you will be alert and ready to concentrate. Whereas, if you would've stayed up all night, your body would be fighting to stay awake and wil have forgotten all you've learned.

Stay tuned in for next post. It will be a different post than these past ones. I will be focusing on the nature of animals. I will take requests or it can be a mystery until then.