Why Sleep Matters | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Why Sleep Matters

It's more than just a nap here and there.

27
Why Sleep Matters
IKEA.com

If you’re like me, your favorite thing to watch is the backs of your eyelids. My favorite hobby is sleeping. If napping were an Olympic sport, I would be right up there with Michael Phelps and Simone Biles. However, my favorite pastime is often sadly interrupted by school, work, my sorority, sports, and other things.

Sometimes, I have to sacrifice my precious nap time so I can get a few things done. This might result in getting little to no sleep at all. This is the case for most college students. I did a little research and I’ve come to find that sleep deprivation is no laughing matter. To better understand why sleep is important, let’s go through what exactly goes on in every stage of the sleep cycle, shall we?

The first of these four stages is the one we’re probably most familiar with. During stage one, your eyes start to get heavy, your head might start drooping, and you get that all too familiar falling sensation (you know, where it feels like you’re falling off a ten thousand foot cliff). This is known as “hypnic myoclonia,” or "hypnic jerks." Stage one usually lasts about ten minutes, and you can still wake up pretty easily.

In stage two, you really start to calm down and ease on into deep sleep. Your heart rate will gradually slow down, and your body temperature will slowly decline. The brain starts to emit waves, known as theta waves. In addition to theta waves, sensations known as “sleep spindles”, which are essentially short bursts of brain activity. This stage is still counted as light sleep. It usually occurs for about twenty minutes. But, most people go through this stage more often than the others. Professionals say that most adults spend about 45-50% of sleep time in stage two.

Stages three and four are where the magic happens. This stage usually starts 30-45 minutes after you go to sleep. In this stage, the brain emits delta, or slow waves. This causes deep sleep. Sleep Spindles still occur in this stage, but not nearly as often. Brain temperature, breath rate, heart rate, and blood pressure are in their lowest levels in this stage. During stage three, REM, or Rapid Eye Movement occurs. This is the technical term for dreaming. By this point, small disturbances (noises or movement) won’t really wake you. If, for some ungodly reason, someone or something were to wake you during this stage, you will need about 30 minutes before you will be able to fully function properly. Young adults and children need more delta waves than adults and the elderly, because their brains and bodies are still developing. The brain typically is not done developing until about age 25.

It’s essential for the brain and the body to rest so they can function properly. Sleep deprivation is correlated to cognitive impairment, weight gain, memory problems, hallucinations, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, a weakened immune system, heart disease, and more. So, take care of yourself! Make sure you get enough sleep at night. If you don’t get much sleep at night, try to sneak in a nap when you can during the day. Most important of all, don’t let the bedbugs bite!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

195619
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

18099
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

460310
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28000
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments