Melatonin – What is it and Can it Help You Fall Asleep Easier and Longer?
Sleep is a naturally occurring state of body and mind, often characterized by decreased awareness, relatively reduced sensory activity, decreased motor activity and decreased interaction with environment during rapid eye movement sleep ( REM ) sleep. The amount of sleep required for optimum performance is dependent on the duration and type of sleep, the duration of which is typically related to the circadian rhythm of the individual. There are several theories that explain the association between sleep and human behavior, but sleep still remains a mystery.
Some researchers believe that sleep enables the human brain to store new memories. Others believe that the human brain performs multiple functions during the day and requires the energy produced during the day to perform those functions effectively. Still others believe that sleep helps maintain and balance the internal functioning of the brain. The function of sleep in sleep disorders remains a mystery. Some researchers think that the link between sleep and memory may exist because people who are frequently awake, yet have poor memory do spend more time sleeping than those who are alert but have better memory.
Several studies have found that sleep duration does affect the efficiency of the nerve cells in the brain. These scientists believe that longer sleep duration enhances the efficiency of nerve cell function. Those scientists have discovered that there are two different types of nerve cells: permanent cells and non-permanent cells. Non-permanent cells respond to the same stimuli; however, they remain permanently awake and do not send signals to the brain during the sleeping hours. Permanent cells, however, receive a different stimulus, and they either send a specific signal to the brain or become silent.
Recent studies indicate that the period of time you sleep affects how you feel tired at the end of the day. People who sleep less than six hours tend to feel tired throughout the day, but those who sleep for eight to ten hours feel refreshed and energetic. Scientists have also noticed a connection between the amount of sleep and daytime sleepiness. Those who sleep less are more likely to feel sleepy during the daytime. The circadian rhythm of the human sleep system actually dictates the amount of sleep people need.
If you don’t get enough sleep at night, you can’t function up to your full capacity. You tend to feel sluggish and drowsy during the day. When you go to work, you encounter problems because you aren’t physically capable of working for long periods of time without falling asleep. In the past, most people attributed these symptoms of being tired to the fact that you had a bad night’s sleep. However, researchers have found that there are other causes for these symptoms. Lack of sleep and too much sleep can be related to your genes, your lifestyle, your daily habits, your diet, and your stress levels.
According to recent research, there is a genetic component to insomnia, or a person who tends to have difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep into adulthood. Other factors that affect your sleep include: your lifestyle, your diet, your daily habits, your daily schedule, your stress levels, and the quality of your sleep. If any of these are present in your daily life, you are highly prone to experiencing difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. This is why it is very important to find a solution that helps you fall asleep easier and longer during the night.