Sleep

Sleep - from Better Health website

Sleep is as essential for good health as oxygen, food and water. Most scientists agree that sleep is important for restoring physical and mental health. It refreshes the mind and repairs the body.

Lack of sleep, or sleep deprivation, can cause fatigue, poor concentration and memory, mood disturbances, impaired judgement and reaction time, and poor physical coordination.

The body’s internal clock regulates when and how we sleep depending on the amount of light around us. When the sun sets, your brain releases hormones to make you sleepy. In the morning, exposure to daylight suppresses these hormones and releases brain chemicals to keep you awake.

Getting enough sleep

Today, sleep deprivation is common in developed nations, with the average adult sleeping for only six or seven hours each night. The Sleep Health Foundation recommends that adults should aim for 7–9 hours of sleep per night.

Most of us feel that we haven’t had enough sleep at least some of the time. It is thought that sleepiness causes about one road accident in six.

Studies show that common distractions from sleep are:

• the internet

• texting and social media

• parenthood

• shiftwork

• travel across time zones

• illness

• poor sleeping habits

• some medications.

Getting Good Sleep - Sleep Health Foundation