The Importance of Sleep
Sleep is a necessary state for the body and brain to complete important tasks that make us healthy, strong, and functional. Sleep also helps regulate the circadian rhythm, a 24-hour cycle of wakefulness and sleepiness that operates throughout your day and night.
The amount of time a person spends in sleep and the types of activities they engage in during that time affect the quality of their sleep. Getting enough sleep is crucial to cognitive, emotional, and physical health, but achieving this can be difficult for some people due to poor habits or sleep disorders. The recommended number of hours a person should sleep every night to get the best rest is 9-11 hours for children, 8-10 hours for teens, and 7-8 hours for adults, but everyone’s sleep needs vary.
During sleep, the body undergoes multiple cycles of non-REM (non-dreaming) and REM sleep. Each sleep cycle lasts 90 to 120 minutes, and the first REM stage usually happens after about two hours of non-REM sleep. Each night, a person goes through four or five REM and Non-REM sleep cycles.
While we aren’t entirely sure why humans need to sleep, research suggests that sleeping plays a role in many biological processes. One theory is that sleep evolved as a response to predators that might attack during the night. Another possibility is that sleep helps conserve energy by reducing activity levels. Some researchers also believe that sleep may play a role in memory formation, and that it is essential to the immune system.
A person’s mental health is closely linked to their sleep, as poor sleep can often lead to or worsen mental illness. There is also evidence that sleep can help with emotional regulation and improve a person’s ability to solve problems.
There are a wide variety of factors that affect how well a person sleeps, including their age, lifestyle, and stress levels. However, there are several steps a person can take to improve their sleep, such as setting a regular bedtime, making sure their bedroom environment is cool, dark, and quiet, exercising regularly, avoiding caffeine and alcohol in the hours leading up to bed, and using the correct pillow and mattress.
Sleep is a complex, vitally important process that affects every part of the body and mind. Getting the recommended amount of sleep each night helps ensure that all of the body’s functions are working properly and efficiently. If you are having trouble falling or staying asleep at night, or feel excessively tired during the day, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you determine whether or not you have a sleep disorder and suggest treatments to get you back on track to a good night’s rest. You can find additional information about sleep on the UChicago Sleep Center website. You can also request an appointment to speak with a sleep specialist. Call 844.622.6220 or request an appointment online.