The most important aspect of human life is sleep. We still don’t know enough about the science behind sleep. Despite years of research, there are still many questions about why we need sleep and the health benefits it brings.
Researchers have made great strides in this area. Each year we learn new things that improve our sleep quality and help us understand the shut-eye phenomenon that keeps us alive.
The revelations were more than just a few. These are the most important five. These new findings are in addition to reinforcements of what medical researchers and sleep experts have known for years about the importance sleep.
1. Good Sleep Is Essential For Forming And Retaining Memories
Research has shown that sleep quality is linked to the brain’s ability form and retain memories. Students preparing for exams are advised to not light the midnight candle the night before.
We now know that the brain’s ability to remember things is directly affected by sleep quality. Researchers studied almost 7,000 synapses within the brains and memory abilities of mice over a 4-year period.
Synapses connect nerve cells of the brain. They enable the movement of impulses that are responsible for basic brain functions such as memory, emotion and response to stimuli like heat.
Your brain’s synapses are active when you’re awake. They grow in size and strength continuously. This is important for learning and memory.
They can’t sustain this growth forever. They need to rest so that they can shrink before they regain their growth. This is what happens during sleep.
In a matter of hours, the synapses can be reactivated with renewed energy.
You could lose all the memories that you have made during the day if you don’t allow this time to rest.
Another study revealed that Homer1a, a protein involved in the shrinking of the synapse, plays a significant role. This protein function can be affected by certain foods and beverages, such as coffee. Avoid a cup of coffee before you go to bed.
2. Poor Sleep Contributes To Mental Health Problems
Studies in the past have also demonstrated a connection between sleep and mental well-being. Research shows that poor sleep can worsen or even cause mental problems.
These findings are supported by a new study.
Participants were suffering from insomnia, and researchers discovered that this treatment could also improve mental health.
Participants who learned to sleep better had fewer mental health problems like depression, paranoia, and hallucinations.
Poor sleep, especially one that is caused by insomnia, can lead to the worsening and development of metal health symptoms.
3. The Evolutionary Adaptation Of Restless Sleep Could Be Restless Sleep
Smartphones and electric lighting are often blamed for poor sleep habits that have become so common in modern society.
There may be more.
Research suggests that evolutionary adaptations could have made fitful sleep a survival mechanism.
A modern-day hunter-gatherer tribe in Africa revealed that the sleep times of its members varied greatly.
In three weeks, researchers found that only 18 minutes per week were spent when all members of the tribe were asleep. At least one member of each tribe was awake at all times during the night and stood guard. People would go to sleep and wake up at any hour of the night.
This is likely to be similar to ancient human life, which was made difficult by constant threats at night. These sleeping habits may have been passed on to modern man.
Evolution could also be responsible for your odd awakening hours at night.
However, it is notable that the hunter-gather tribe does not suffer from sleep problems like insomnia, which is a common problem in modern society. Poor sleep quality could still be caused by modern technology such as smartphones and climate control systems.
4. Women Sleep Better Than Men
Research from Perth, Australia has shown that women sleep better than men.
Although it takes women longer to fall asleep (5 minutes on average), they are more productive at sleeping and wake up less often.
Researchers speculated that these differences could be related to glucose, which is the bulk of brain energy. Even though women’s brains are smaller, they have more energy and therefore more glucose.
You Can Have A Great Night’s Sleep With A High-quality Mattress
Okay, this is not a revelation.
Some factors, such as gender and genetics, are beyond our control. These can have an impact on sleep quality. We can also change and improve other things, such as the mattress quality.
Research has shown that the type of mattress you sleep on can have a significant impact on your ability to sleep well and cause pain.
A quality mattress is the best investment you can make to ensure a restful night’s sleep.
The National Sleep Foundation suggests that you ensure that the mattress you buy is supportive and comfortable.
To find the best mattress for you, check out our online reviews and comparisons.
Check out My Favorite Products for 2021!
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These are my current favorite of the 60+ beds that I have reviewed:
The best way to cool down your bed is with mattress toppers and pads.
The BedJet is my favorite bed cooling/heating system.
These pillows are great for relieving shoulder and neck pain.
These luxury sheets sets are my favourite online:
Parachutes Sateen sheets are the best for specific needs. Brooklinens Linen sheets Organic Luxury sheets: Saatva Lofton Organic Sheets. Breathable/Cool Percale sheets made from Parachute and Brooklinen.
