The Importance of Sleep

There are actually four main stages of sleep that we go through, three of which are classified as non-REM sleep, and one which is known as REM sleep. The first stage of sleep lasts between one and five minutes and acts as the period of time when you are dozing off for the first time. Stage 2 then happens. In this period of time, your body temperature lowers, your heart rate slows and the activity in your brain decreases substantially, though there are still bursts of brain waves that work to keep you asleep. Stage 3 is more commonly known as deep sleep. In this stage, the body is in its most relaxed and restorative state. Finally comes stage four, or REM sleep. REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement which is… well, it’s exactly what it says it is! In this stage of sleep, brain activity levels pick right back up to where they normally are when someone is awake. Even though your eyelids are shut, your eyeballs move at a rapid pace and are the only muscles, apart from things like your heart and your lungs, that are moving in your body. This stage of sleep is connected with your most vivid period of dreaming.

So that’s the science behind what happens when you’re sleeping, but why do we actually need sleep? There are thousands of scientific studies going on all over the globe that are trying to determine a clear answer to this question, but research shows that lack of sleep has significant effects on a number of bodily functions. Without a full night’s rest, our body can begin to slow down. Our brain gets tired, making it harder for us to focus, actively listen or remember things. People can often get moody without a good night’s sleep, generally making their quality of life worse. There is also reason to believe that a good sleep schedule actually boosts your immunity, meaning that you are less likely to catch illnesses spreading through the community. More seriously, scientists have found that not sleeping enough has links to anxiety disorders and depression, so sleep is proven to be a vital part of our mental health.

So, how can we improve our sleep? There are a couple obvious tips that we hear about all the time, but they’re obvious because they do actually work! Reducing your screen time towards the end of the day dramatically betters your sleep habits, as the blue light from your devices trick your brain into thinking it’s still daytime, making it more difficult to get to sleep. As well as this, avoiding caffeine in the early afternoon and into the evening can also improve sleep quality. Caffeine stays in your bloodstream for 6-8 hours after consumption, so it’s important to stop drinking things like energy drinks, coffee and even drinks like coke much earlier than you might think, and if you really need those flavour fixes, to stick to decaffeinated versions.

Getting a regular sleep schedule can be difficult, but it is so important for your health, mental wellbeing and your focus both in and out of school. Getting those 8-10 hours of sleep each night can change your life for the better, so cut the caffeine, cut the screens and get comfy to enjoy a full night’s rest!