Sleep

How much sleep does the average human need? A healthy person should sleep around 10-8 hours a day to run at full capacity, but with the short lifespan humans have, there will always be many things left undone and many ideas left unexplored; there just never seems to be enough time. As a normal person of a somewhat average caliber, it is important to get enough sleep at night to fuel the body and mind to prepare for the next day that awaits. However, as a functional member of the modern society, many are often found buried neck deep in work. In order to complete all the work people will often stay up late at night. Many try to avoid sleeping in order to have more time to do things, but just like nutrition and exercise, sleep is essential for our well-being and happiness.

Sleep plays a vital role in our health and emotions, getting enough quality sleep at the right times can improve both our mental and physical health. Studies show that good nights sleep can improve our learning, improving your ability to make decisions, creativity, and attention span. Sleeping is also involved in the process of repair your body, such as your blood vessels and heart. It can help maintain a healthy level of hormones and fortify your immune system.

Failure to reach a sufficient amount of sleep for long periods of time can alter activities in different parts in your brain causing problems like depression, mood swings, and a lack of good judgement. It will also trigger physical problems like obesity, a lack of growth, or a weaker immune system. Another problem with not getting enough sleep is microsleep; brief moments of sleep that occur when you’re normally awake. Microsleep cannot be controlled and victims may often be unaware. Have you ever blanked out in class and realized you missed half of the lecture? If so, chances are you’ve experienced microsleep.

Sleep deficiency is harmful not only to your health but also to your growth and performance.