Sleep: Why It’s So Essential to Maintain Life

Sleepy young woman stretching hand to ringing alarm.
Once you create daily habits, they become more accessible to do. You won’t put in much physical and mental effort even when unmotivated. (Image: Volha Rahalskaya via Dreamstime)

Sleep is a condition of the body and mind that typically occurs for several hours every night. While at rest, the nervous system is relatively inactive. 

In March 2021, The Sleep Foundation published the article How Much Sleep Do We Really Need? Scientific research has shown that resting is essential to us all, regardless of age. The National Sleep Foundation guidelines advise that healthy adults need between 7 and 9 hours of rest each night. Babies, young children, and teenagers require even more time to enable their growth and development. People over 65 should also get 7 to 8 hours a night. 

Throughout our lives, we spend approximately 26 years in dreamland. A good reposing routine boosts both physical and mental health, and it is also known to boost immunity. However, we are also said to spend on average seven years of our lives struggling to repose

Resting disorders are medical conditions that affect the quality and duration of your resting. Its deprivation can have a significant impact on your daily routines and your health overall.

Some of the most common sleep disorders

1. Insomnia 

Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders.
Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders. (Image: Phoenix021 via Dreamstime)

Symptoms of insomnia include finding it hard to repose, waking up several times during the night, and feeling tired during the day. Common causes of insomnia include anxiety, too much noise at night, temperature issues in your bedroom, and consuming too much caffeine. 

2. Sleep paralysis 

This is when you cannot move or speak as you are waking up or falling asleep. Although said to be scary if experienced, it is also harmless. One of the major causes of it is the general lack of rest. 

3. Snoring and sleep apnea 

Snoring is a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. This is when a person experiences multiple pauses in their breathing pattern during rest. Snoring that is not caused by this condition, otherwise known as “primary snoring,” can be caused by several things, including the anatomy of your mouth and sinuses, allergies, and your weight. 

Man snoring while his wife is covering ears with the pillow.
Snoring can be caused by sleep apnea, the anatomy of the mouth and sinus, allergies, or being overweight. (Image: Antonio Guillem via Dreamstime)

In March 2021, WebMD published 20 Tips For Better Sleep. A few of these include: 

1. Stay away from devices for at least one hour before going to bed. 

2. Block any clocks in your bedroom from view during the night. 

3. Eat right during the evening, being mindful not to overindulge too late. 

Over time, skipping essential rest can affect more than just your mood. proper rest plays a big part in both learning and memory. Without enough rest, it’s challenging to focus and retain new information. Your brain also isn’t being given enough time to store memories properly. Rest allows your brain to catch up. In addition, while you rest, your blood pressure reduces, giving your heart and blood vessels a bit of rest.

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  • Katrina Hicks

    Katrina Hicks is a freelance, thought provoking, creative writer who also possesses poetic talent. With a journalistic mindset, Katrina asks questions rhetorically for the reader to conclude their own narrative.

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