We spend one third of our life in sleep, but without that we would not be able to work for the other two thirds. Sleep is the rejuvenating mechanism of the body. As the sun sets and darkness falls, we naturally tend to feel sleepy and when we wake up with the sun, we are again full of energy. Why we sleep is still a subject of scientific investigations.
Advantages of sleeping
• After rest, the brain is better able to concentrate during the day
• Sleeping allows the brain to organize memories collected during the day. If we go without sleep, we may not be able to remember many things.
• During sleep, the body repairs nerve cells which get damaged from the day's activity and stress. The skin, which is exposed to U-V rays during the day, also rejuvenates during the night.
• Many hormones are active when we are asleep, especially growth hormones.
• It is a recent finding that sleeping also reins in the appetite hormones as a result of which we feel less craving for energy rich food, thus preventing causes of obesity.
Sleep deprivation for long periods can cause hallucinations. Irregular sleep patterns greatly affect blood pressure and levels of cholesterol, which are directly related to heart attacks. Sleeping less also contributes to other diseases like diabetes, colon cancer and obesity.
Many people cannot sleep or if they sleep, they wake up early feeling exhausted. This is known as insomnia which results in poor performance in job, mood swings and inability to maintain good relations with people.
Tips on correct sleeping habits
• Hormonal activity is high during early hours of the night, so it is advisable to go to sleep before 10 pm.
• Waking up at different times of the day causes disruptions in the body's biological cycle, so make a habit of getting up at the same hour everyday.
• A sedentary lifestyle does not make the body tired enough to sleep. Therefore, walking for 30 minutes before sleeping can promote a good sleep.
• Eating just before sleeping keeps the digestive system in operation preventing the body from doing other tasks.
• Uncomfortable clothes and a noisy environment create disturbance in sleep so make sure these factors are taken care of.
• Working on something stressful just before sleeping causes the mind to continue its work thus causing sleep disorders.
• Since coffee or caffeine based drinks make you alert, avoid them before going to sleep.
• Breathing exercises can help to induce sleep
A good sleep can help you to work more, decide better, prevent injuries, and recover from illness faster.
By : Angela Giles
Article Source : Http://ezinearticles.com
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