Why Do We Need To Sleep?

In general, sleep seems to be necessary for human functioning. It is reasonable to expect the body to require a quiet period of rest and relaxation in order to revitalize itself.

However, various arguments say that this doesn't constitute the full explanation. For example, most people sleep between eight and nine hours each night, but there is great variability among people. Some people require only three hours of sleep.

Sleep requirements also dependant on a person's life. As people get older, they usually need less and less sleep.

If sleeping performed a single function of restoring the body, it would be difficult to understand why the elderly require less sleep than the younger ones.

In addition, people who have participated in sleep deprivation experiments have not exhibited lasting effects. These experiments consist in keeping them awake for periods of up to 200 hours in a row.

People subjected to these experiments experience fatigue, lack of concentration, stress, decreased creativity and lead to suffering from tremors in the hands while being kept awake. However, when they are allowed to sleep they return quickly to normal conditions.

Sleeping is a natural requirement

It allows restoring the physical and psychological functions essential for a full performance. Sleep and wakefulness are brain functions and are subject to alterations of the nervous system.

During sleep, hormonal, biochemical, metabolic and temperature changes occur. All these changes are necessary for the proper functioning of the human being during the day.

Researchers have discovered that sleep is vital for us to learn and that it is closely related to the heat map of nature and has a critical importance for health. However, it is still not known exactly what its function is.

The most accepted research links the sleep with the repair of body tissues and the conservation and recovery of energy. Likewise, they link it with the consolidation and maintenance of memory. When sleeping, our brain "repairs itself". It's like if we were taking it to a workshop.

Why do we sleep?

There are two mechanisms or processes identified as responsible for the sleep. The "S" process is determined by the previous history of sleep and wakefulness of the person. It is manifested by an increased propensity to sleep after a sleep deprivation. It is something like an accumulation of a debt.

The "C" process is controlled by the endogenous biological clock and is independent of the previous history of sleep and wakefulness. We tend to sleep in the phase of falling body temperature (first part of the night). We wake up when it increases (second part of the night).
What Effects When You Don't Sleep?

Vigil, slow sleep, and fast sleep must necessarily happen harmoniously to ensure the health status of a person. The impact of sleep deprivation is widespread and affects not only the physical but also the psychological.

Some of the effects of not sleeping are the following:

• Alterations of memory. 
• Irritability. 
• Anxiety. 
• Depression. 
• Symptoms similar to lack of focus. 
• Impaired immune system. 
• Decreased reaction capacity in time and accuracy. 
• Poor manual coordination. 
• Tremors. 
• Obesity risk. 
• Increase in heart rate variability. 
• Risk of heart attacks. 
• Neurological alterations. 
• Epileptic attacks. 
• Suppression of growth. 

As we see, it's really necessary to sleep. At least it is clear that, if we don't, the problems that can come to us are numerous.

Beneficial effects of sleep

Besides being a great pleasure for many people, sleeping well has positive effects on our body. Some specialists consider that there are six most beneficial effects of sleep.

• Sleep improves memory. According to various investigations, taking a 90-minute nap helps set memories and dexterity. 
• We protect our heart when sleeping. People who sleep poorly or little are three times more likely to suffer heart failure than those who sleep well. 
• When we sleep we can reduce depression. When we sleep we relax. This facilitates the production of serotonin, which counteracts the effects of stress hormones. Consequently, it helps us to be happier. 
• When we sleep we are healthier. The sleep time serves to regenerate our immune system. This way we can fight against toxins and overcome infections. 
• Sleeping helps you lose weight. Lack of sleep causes adipocytes or fat cells to release less leptin, which is the appetite suppressor hormone. 
• When we sleep, we improve our creativity. If the brain is rested, memory works perfectly. This makes our imaginative capacity greater, which facilitates creativity. 

Now you know that sleeping gives you a lot of benefits and it's really important for your health. In addition, the lack of sleep brings with it negative consequences that in the long run can be very harmful.