You may have heard that we spend one-third of our lives sleeping. And while that may sound like we spend a lot of our lives being unproductive, the American National Sleep Foundation says that while this might be true, the one-third of our lives that we do spend sleeping is far from being “unproductive” as sleep plays a direct role in how full, energetic and successful the other two-thirds of our lives can be.

 

What exactly is going on in your mind and body while you’re catching Zzs? Besides helping us to start our day refreshed, energized and alert in order to raise productivity levels, sleep is also important for a number of other functions such as muscle repair, memory consolidation, regulation of bodily chemicals (especially hormones related to growth and appetite) and strengthening of our immune system.

For example, levels of the stress hormone known as cortisol dip at bed time, and appetite-regulating hormones ghrelin and leptin, are balanced with sleep. These hormones play a number of roles in our daytime functioning such as alertness and feelings of hunger and post-meal satiety.

While sleeping, your heart rate and blood pressure also fall by about 10 per cent. And don’t forget, it’s not just getting ‘some’ sleep, it’s also getting enough sleep. People who are able to sleep seven to eight hours a night have the lowest rates of heart disease.

 

The cycle of sleep

 

Ever wondered when and how exactly do these functions take place? Sleep phases actually occur in a cyclical pattern, as the phases complete and repeat approximately throughout the night.

There are five main phases of sleep that are each characterized by different brain activity. They have different functions and are all vital for good health.

 

The first four stages of NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) sleep takes up 75 percent of sleep time, whereas REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep takes up 25 percent of sleep time. This sleep pattern of alternating REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM sleep repeats itself in a cycle about every 90 minutes throughout a night.

 

Stage 1

The ‘lightly resting’ stage between being awake and falling asleep.

 

Stage 2

As a sleeper starts to detach from the surrounding environment, the brain performs less complicated tasks. Breathing and heart rate also slows down during this phase; so sleeping in a cool environment helps towards dropping your body temperature to achieve a ‘relaxed’ state.

 

Stage 3

It is at this phase that the body makes repairs to bones and skin, as well as stabilizes hormone levels.

 

Stage 4

As blood pressure eases and breathing is slowed, it is this phase that a sleeper acquires deepest and most restorative sleep. Muscles are relaxed as blood flow is directed towards them and energy is replenished to the body.

 

Stage 5

At this phase, heart rate and temperature increases as the brain becomes active. Eyes dart back and forth under the eyelids (hence, Rapid-Eye Movement) as dreams become vivid. At this phase, the sleeper is relaxed as energy is supplied to the brain and body while muscles remain inactive. It takes approximately 90 minutes for a sleeper to reach REM or Stage 5 of sleep (the first time), with the stage lasting longer as the cycle repeats throughout the night. Both quality and quantity of sleep is important in order to rejuvenate the mind and body — so those who don’t get the proper sleep they need might not be able to complete some processes such as muscle repair. In order to achieve productive daily functioning and general better health, make sure you get at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

 

Besides the various health benefits that you may experience as an individual, having healthy sleep habits will also improve other aspects of your live such as emotional and social relationships.

 

This article is brought to you by Rilax Zzz , Malaysia’s best selling sleep supplement.