Sleep - A Boon

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Although researchers are still trying to learn exactly why people need sleep, animal studies show that sleep is necessary for survival. Some studies suggest that sleep deprivation affects the immune system. Sleep appears necessary for our nervous systems to work properly. Too little sleep leaves us drowsy and unable to concentrate the next day. It also leads to impaired memory and physical performance. Some experts believe sleep gives neurons used while we were awake a chance to shut down and repair themselves. Deep sleep coincides with the release of growth hormone in children and young adult.
How much sleep do we need?

The amount of sleep each person needs depends on many factors, including age. 

• Infants generally require about 16 hours a day.
• Teenagers need about 9 hours on average.
• Adults, 7 to 8 hours a night appears to be the best amount of sleep.

 The amount of sleep a person needs also increases if he or she has been deprived of sleep in previous days. Getting too little sleep creates a "sleep debt,". Eventually, your body will demand that the debt be repaid. If you routinely fall asleep within 5 minutes of lying down, you probably have severe sleep deprivation, possibly even a sleep disorder.

Most people experience short-term insomnia at some time. Insomnia includes having trouble falling asleep, having trouble getting back to sleep, and waking up too early. Temporary insomnia can be caused by noise or a stressful event. Certain medications could keep you awake, particularly those that treat colds and allergies, heart disease, high blood pressure, and pain. Large meals in the two hours before bedtime could cause indigestion.

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Sleepy During the Day

Feeling tired every now and then during the day is normal. But it's not normal for sleepiness to interfere with your routine activities. Slowed thinking, trouble paying attention, heavy eyelids, and feeling irritable are other warning signs.If you're feeling sleepy frequently during the day, you might simply need to make more time to sleep. If you've had a good sleep, you shouldn't feel drowsy during the day.

Naps can be good, but the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends napping before 3 p.m. and for no longer than an hour so that it doesn't interfere with falling asleep at night.

Snoring
Snoring is noisy breathing during sleep that occurs when relaxed structures in the throat vibrate and make noise. Most snoring is harmless, though it can be a nuisance that interferes with the sleep of others. Keeping snorers off their backs and on their sides often helps as a way to keep the airway more open during sleep . If your snoring is loud and frequent and you also have excessive daytime sleepiness, you could have sleep apnea.

Tips for a good night's sleep

Getting a good night's sleep can be easier than you think, if you just keep in mind some of these helpful tips. Try these tips to help return to a restful, natural sleep.

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• Go to bed at a set time each night and get up at the same time each morning.
• Exercise.
• Avoid caffeine, nicotine.
• A warm bath, reading can make it easier to fall sleep.
• Don't lie in bed awake.
• Maintain a comfortable temperature in the bedroom.
• See a doctor if your sleeping problem continues.

Remember, sleep is supposed to be relaxing and helps to renew your body every night.