8 Hours of Mystery

Most of us know that we need a good nights sleep on good double bed to perform at our best the next day, but what actually happens when we sleep, and what are precise benefits of getting our optimum amount of sleep?

Sleep in most mammals, and certainly humans, is split into two basic stages: Rapid Eye Movement - also known as REM - and Non-Rapid Eye Movement - conversely known as NREM. Each of these two stages can be identified by a number of different features.

As the name suggest REM is typically characterised primarily by rapid movement of the eyes. Other features of this stage of sleep include low muscle tone and low voltage EEG, which basically means low voltage brain signals and is measured using a polysomnogram. REM movement usually accounts for around 20-25% of sleep - about 90-120 mins of total sleep time - and is also the time from which dreams are most vividly remembered.

NREM makes up the rest of our time asleep and it too has its own distinct features. Again, as the name suggests, there is little or no eye movement during this period of sleep. Unlike REM, dreams are not usually experienced during this time, and also the muscles are not paralysed.

Some effects of a good nights sleep are fairly obvious - feeling refreshed and ready for the day in most cases - but what about some of the other benefits a good nights sleep holds?

Studies have show that sleep accommodates restoration in many parts of the body, for example an optimum amount of sleep can increase the rate at which wounds heal, it is well documented that sleep is needed for the immune system to operate effectively and also sleep helps the metabolism to work properly. Another major function that sleep aids is that of memory. Tests have shown that sleep is vital for the mind to process events that have happened in the day - one explanation for the purpose of dreams - and also that cognitive memory functions are increased in those who have had a good nights sleep.

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