Sleep: What you didn't know

Passivity and sleep

Sleep is frequently considered to be a passive phenomenon, something we do because it's the end of the day, we are perhaps tired and we need to rest and build up our energies once again to prepare for the next day. It’s falsely presumed that as the light is switched off at night, so also is the mind and all its functioning ability. Rightfully so, all of the above are true to a certain extent, and sleep replenishes zest and enthusiasm to live yet another day and accomplish ones daily goals. However, there is more to sleeping and the dynamics of sleep ought to be better understood by every person who has ever slept and continues to do so everyday. That makes each and everyone of us. Ignorance is bliss but knowledge is truly an eye opener. Open your eyes to sleep right…

Sleep prevents Alzheimer’s

We don't sleep because we desire passivity. Sleep is one of the most active processes the body endures. While in wakefulness, the human mind seems to think, plan, execute and appraise; there are several processes that are vigorous during sleep. Memory processing and conversion of short-term to long-term remembrance mandates a good night’s sleep. The hippocampus is an area of the brain that is responsible for memory storage. When one sleeps soundly, the neurons in the brain do not have external information bombarding in continuously and disrupting the memory connects. People who sleep better have better neurochemical release in their hippocampus with greater neuronal connections; thus they decrease their own chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Sleep enables growth

Children who sleep soundly through the night have larger brain mass and highly differentiated (better developed) neurons. Just like the rationale for better memory connections; a similar neuronal continuity in the formative years assures better intellectual development in children. While newborns and early infants don't have much physical activity, they have tremendous hard work going on inside their brain. In effect children sleep an awful much but they’re not being lazy; they simply are emboldening their intellect for a brighter future. Children who don't sleep have higher chances of ADHD, behavior troubles and temper tantrums. This process is called the ontogenetic (pertaining to development) hypothesis of sleep.

Sleep prevents common cold and allergies

The white blood cells in the body are soldiers that build on its immune system. Sleep deprivation damages these cells thereby inhibiting immune function. Those who sleep more have higher white blood cell counts, better immunity and are equipped to combat allergies and colds. Lack of sleep is also associated with skin rashes, longer wound healing, increased appetite and weight disturbances and even predisposition to cancer. Inadequate sleep is an incessant drain of the body’s resistance and fighting abilities. All other efforts to care for the body are redundant in the absence of wholesome sleep.

Sleep is preservative

The brain disengages itself from the wakeful responsibilities and opts for its ‘night duty’ while it sleeps. There are enough obligations for the slumbering as well as vigilant mind. Some aquatic mammals sleep while moving (not the same as human beings who sleep while driving cars!), they still perform different activities in both the mind states. Sleep conserves energy, replenishes neurotransmitters, enhances certain hormonal activities and augments vigilance. There is a lot we get in return for sleeping sufficiently. We’d rather make the prudent choice for a better and healthier tomorrow…