Sleep is a state of reduced mental and physical activity in which consciousness is altered and certain sensory activity is inhibited Sleep is a natural process that helps your body restore energy, supports learning and memory, and keeps you healthy During sleep, there is a marked decrease in muscle activity and interactions with the surrounding environment.
Getting enough quality sleep is essential for both mental and physical health We all have at least a vague notion of what sleep is, but that doesn't mean that defining this mysterious part of our lives is simple. Key benefits of sleep include
Researchers and experts also struggle with it because of the mysteries surrounding how and why we sleep and what happens to us while we do. Sleep affects almost every type of tissue and system in the body—from the brain, heart, and lungs to metabolism, immune function, mood, and disease resistance. Talk to your healthcare provider if you regularly have problems sleeping or notice signs or symptoms of common sleep disorders Your provider can run tests, including sleep studies, to tell if you have a sleep disorder.
But what exactly happens when you sleep Before the 1950s, most people believed sleep was a passive activity during which the body and brain were dormant. Sleep is the balm that soothes and restores after a long day Sleep is largely driven by the body’s internal clock, which takes cues from external elements such as sunlight and temperature
Many factors can interfere with a good night's sleep — from work stress and family responsibilities to illnesses It's no wonder that quality sleep is sometimes elusive. Fifty years of research on brain activity and physiological patterns of sleeping has revealed a great deal about what sleep is and what it is not
