Most of the research that’s being published about sleeping is geared toward how little of it we need as a species to function. That is because we as a society are geared towards hard work and hard play. Sleep is for the lazy and the weak, who cannot find a way to cope with the harder realities of life.
The general consensus appears to be that we are to get by on six to seven hours of sleep per night. That clearly means we can get less than that and handle it just fine.
Doesn’t it?
Well, it turns out, that’s not really true.
Much of the research on sleep has centered around a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone. While most of its applications revolve around fight-or-flight situations and making sure you get out safe and sound and alive and all of that, it is also something that affects your sleep.
The hormone actually builds up in your body as you sleep. The gradual increase is part of the reason that you wake up after seven or eight hours, or more. The hormone is then used up throughout the day, keeping you awake and alert until you need to shut down and regenerate.
That’s a quality cycle.
What is generally advocated, however, is as little sleep as you can stand. That means that your cortisol levels never get the chance to hit their optimal rates for you. You crash and burn quicker, and the stress of it forces your body to produce more, so that instead of a long steady source of energy you get fits and starts.
If that’s acceptable to you, then so be it. But keep in mind, a quality night’s sleep means giving your body the time to do what it’s meant to.
The general consensus appears to be that we are to get by on six to seven hours of sleep per night. That clearly means we can get less than that and handle it just fine.
Doesn’t it?
Well, it turns out, that’s not really true.
Much of the research on sleep has centered around a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone. While most of its applications revolve around fight-or-flight situations and making sure you get out safe and sound and alive and all of that, it is also something that affects your sleep.
The hormone actually builds up in your body as you sleep. The gradual increase is part of the reason that you wake up after seven or eight hours, or more. The hormone is then used up throughout the day, keeping you awake and alert until you need to shut down and regenerate.
That’s a quality cycle.
What is generally advocated, however, is as little sleep as you can stand. That means that your cortisol levels never get the chance to hit their optimal rates for you. You crash and burn quicker, and the stress of it forces your body to produce more, so that instead of a long steady source of energy you get fits and starts.
If that’s acceptable to you, then so be it. But keep in mind, a quality night’s sleep means giving your body the time to do what it’s meant to.
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ReplyDeleteThe more we get older, the lesser our time for sleep. This is because of the higher demands of life in our work and all that stuff. I think this article is very useful to everyone and will be of great help for us to understand how our body functions being fueled by a good sleep. :)
ReplyDeleteI heard of the quote "Sleep is for the weak" several times. And I personally want to modify it.. I'd like to change it to "Sleep-all-day-is-for-the-weak". People who sleep are not really weak. I find them people who value their health more.. Yes, work is also important. But we should always remember that health is the most important thing and wealth a person can have. Thus, I would like to thank Sleepy's for reiterating the importance of a good sleep and how sleep is not for the weak but for the strong ones who value health and their lives! :)
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