What happens to our bodies in sleep?

Sleep is an integral part of our body and mind. Almost one-third of our time is spent in sleep. Then why do we need sleep? Human life is full of actions and action is the benchmark of an individual.

What happens in Sleep?

Sleep is an integral part of our body and mind. Almost one-third of our time is spent in sleep. Then why do we need sleep? Human life is full of actions and action is the benchmark of an individual. Whatever job or work one practices, he has to take a break and wish for a nice sleep.

Sleep is necessary to restore energy and freshness of tired limbs, organs, and tissues of one’s body. The body has its own healing power. Sleep enables the body to get rid of toxic waste, and repair worn-out tissues and cells to restore the lost energy.

Sleep center:

Science proved that our brain is a network of billions of neurons/neuron cells and different portions or sections of the brain perform different tasks. There is a very complex area in the brain called the sleep center, which regulates sleep, alertness, and wakefulness.

It is also known as the hypothalamus and contains a network of millions of neurons. Calcium ions present in blood cells control the sleep center. When an optimum quantity of calcium is received by the sleep center we get to sleep.

The experiment conducted on animals reveals that, when calcium is injected directly into the sleep center, they immediately start sleeping, whereas when the calcium is injected into the bloodstream, they did not sleep.

What happens to our bodies in sleep?

There is a general notion that our body, mind, and soul take rest during sleep. But scientific studies say other things. Different organs act something differently against the popular notion.

Sleep cycles:

Scientists observed that human being experiences two types of sleep, one is REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and another is non-REM. During sleep, an individual passes through four to five sleep cycles. One sleep cycle consists of three non-REM and one REM stage.

Stage-1 non-REM sleep:

This phase of sleep, is a transition phase to sleep, just light sleep. In this phase brain waves, heart rate, and eye movement slow down. It continues for a few minutes.

Stage-2 non-REM sleep:

This phase experiences light sleep before deep sleep. In this stage, body temperature decreases, and eye movements stop. The heart and brain come into relaxation mode. The breathing rate comes down. Humans enjoy most of the sleep in this stage.

Stage-3 non-REM sleep:

Deep sleep begins in this stage. Muscles and eye movement don’t move anymore. Brain waves slow down further. This stage is very important for everyone, as it is the restorative phase. During this phase, the body regains its energy, and the repair of damaged cells, tissues, and muscles is made for the next day’s action.

Stage-4 REM sleep:

In this stage brain waves and eye movement increase along with heart rate and breathing speed. Dreams often come in this stage. The brain becomes active and processes the information for learning and memory. But the body still remains calm.

Dream:

The dream is a part of our sleep. But what is a dream? The dream is a manifestation of the unconscious/subconscious mind, in which unwanted and wanted images, ambitions, hopes, apprehensions, desires, love, loss, inspirations, emotions, sentiments, and images appear.

Some unexpected events also happen in dreams giving horrible experiences including the tragic death of self dreamer. The scientific reason for dreams is not yet known. But popular belief says, suppressed desires of so many incarnations come in the dream. Dreaming may happen in any stage of sleep but most often in stage -3.

Heart Activities:

Heart health is important for a long and healthy life of an individual. Hearth health is associated with blood pressure and pulse rate. During non-REM sleep heart rate becomes slow, gets relaxed, and manages time to repair, as blood pressure and pulse rate lowers.

Brain activities:

The brain becomes tired after day-long activities. Sleep allows the brain to relax and repair and reorganize the neurons or neuron cells. The brain’s lymphatic systems clear the waste material from the central nervous system during sleep.

Breathing:

The respiratory system keeps us alive. During non-REM sleep, the breathing rate goes down regularly. But during REM sleep breathing rate goes up again and the breathing rate varies.

Conservation of energy:

Our body needs energy to perform, but the energy level in humans is not unlimited. The energy level of our body decreases during work or performances and by evening we got tired. During sleep, our metabolic rate drops causing reduced energy needs, and the body conserves the lost energy to perform the next day.

Cellular Restoration:

Sleep allows the cells to repair worn-out tissues, muscles, and cells. It is a fact that the process of cell mitosis of the skin is at its peak at midnight during Non-REM Sleep. Melatonin an antioxidant property produced in the night helps the skin repair.

How much sleep does one need?

Sleeping hours depend upon the age factor of an individual. An infant up to 12 months needs 12 to 16 hours of sleep per day, whereas kids in the age group of 1 to 5 years need at least 11 hours of sleep. Child in the age group of 6 to 17 needs at least 9 hours out of 24 hours. For adults at least 7 hours of sleep is needed to remain fit.

What will happen if no sufficient sleep is met?

Without proper and sufficient sleep, one will affect one’s performance. Health will deteriorate and the body becomes the harbinger of diseases, unhappiness will be marred the life cycle. Within very few days one will go mad.

Conclusion:

Sleep is definitely a blessing to remain fit and keep anyone happy. Sleep gives much-needed rest to the body and mind. But a specific time slot must be chosen to get comfortable sleep every night. A dark cool room is suitable for good sleep.