Sleep is one of the biggest and greatest nature’s invention – Blessing for life. Rest is essential for the body in order to work effectively. Sleep is indispensable condition which cannot be ignored. Sleep repairs wear and tear of the body which happened during waking hours. It is the basic necessity for one’s physical and mental well being.
What happens during sleep?
- Functions of the body is at its lowest level
- Heat production in body is less during sleep
- Rate of heart beat is reduced by 10 to 30 beats per minute
- Urine volume is reduced but concentration in solids is increased
- Body experiences a decline in blood pressure by 20 mm
Loss of sleep causes:
- Detrimental effects on nervous system
- Loss of memory
- Irritability
- Hallucination
- Schizophrenic manifestation
Sleep and rest are very different and sooner we make out the difference, better for ourselves. At rest body is disturbed by its surroundings and noises whereas in sleep it is screened from these disturbances and experiences partial loss of consciousness called as “dream protection”. “Dream protection” converts outside noises into fantasies. During rest limbs are normal whereas in sleep they swell. Blood flows via brain, distends the arteries and makes limbs bigger. More number of muscles are relaxed during sleep then in rest as sleeping person changes its position not more then 35 times during sleep. Many organs which work during rest suspend their activities during sleep.
Duration of sleep:
Popular belief says, one should sleep between 7-9 hours in a day. The biggest mystery is that no two person needs same amount of sleep. The amount of sleep required by an individual body is determined by what he feels he needs, not by what doctors say.
Sleeping positions:
Everyone changes their body positions several times during sleep. Turn about on bed is essential as otherwise we would wake up stiff. Sleeping on one’s back is not the best position and is not recommended. Best position to sleep is to sleep on the sides with head and shoulder slightly forward.
Avoid arguments, horror movies, loud music, quarrels etc which stimulate cerebral cortex and tend to keep you awake. Sleeping place should be well ventilated and free from any type of noises, pillows should not be hard, bed clothes should be light colored and loose fitting. Avoid heavy foods before sleep.
