How Sleep Replenishes the Brain's Energy
Sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy life. The amount of sleep each person needs varies from person to person. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) notes that most adults need between seven and eight hours each night. But the number of hours can change based on certain circumstances. For example, during the first three months of pregnancy, women need more sleep.
When people sleep, they go through five stages of sleep: stages one, two, three, four and rapid eye movement (REM). The first four stages of sleep are often referred to as non-REM sleep. The NINDS notes that during a typical night's sleep, people spend 50 percent of the night in stage two sleep, 30 percent of the night in stages one, three and four, and 20 percent in REM sleep.
When people do not get enough sleep or one of the stages of sleep become disrupted, people can suffer from sleep deprivation, which can cause problems during waking hours. For example, after not getting enough sleep during the night, do you have problems getting your work done the next day? People can experience impaired judgment and reaction time. Memory and physical performance can also become affected. If sleep deprivation continues, people can suffer from mood swings and hallucinations, where they perceive things that do not exist.
The NINDS points out that while scientists are still studying all of the effects of sleep, studies done with animals have shown that sleep is needed to survive. In a new study published in Neuroscience, HealthDay News reports that researchers found that sleep also replenishes the brain's energy levels, which help with normal functioning during the day.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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