As a Sleep Consultant, I proudly embrace my role as a sleep enthusiast. Sleep is not merely a nightly ritual; it’s a vital process that enhances physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Let me share my journey to becoming passionate about sleep. Before my son was born, I never gave much thought to sleep—I didn’t crave it, and falling asleep was effortless. However, after my son’s arrival, my days became long, and I found myself utterly exhausted each night. The challenge was that my son wouldn’t sleep through the night, waking up 3-5 times repeatedly. The lack of sleep took a toll on my appearance, and I constantly felt tired, frustrated, irritable, and a host of other emotions. I realized that if disrupted sleep was affecting my well-being, it must be impacting my child similarly. Why was I letting this continue?
Upon this realization, I decided that interrupted sleep was no longer acceptable for my family. Sleep is a powerful tool that enhances memory, boosts creativity, strengthens the immune system, and even helps maintain a healthy weight. That’s the magic of sleep! It’s not just about winding down for the night; it’s an essential process that keeps our bodies and minds in optimal condition. From that moment on, I became a dedicated sleep advocate.
To help encourage you to also loving sleep for you and your family, here are 6 interesting facts about sleep:
Fact 1: Humans spend about one-third of their lives sleeping
This highlights sleeps crucial role in our overall health and well-being. To illustrate this, newborns sleep approximately 16-18 hours a day. In case you didn’t know this, humans experience the most significant growth during early years meaning there’s a strong connection between growth and sleep.
Fact 2: Humans are the only species that deliberately delay sleep
Unlike other mammals that follow their natural sleep patterns, humans frequently delay sleep for various reasons. Whether it’s staying up late to work, socialize, watch TV, or browse their phones, our ability to consciously override our natural sleep impulses distinguishes us from other animals.
Fact 3: Newborns spend about 50% of sleep in REM
About 50% of a newborn’s sleep is spent in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. REM sleep is characterized by rapid movements of the eyes, more dreaming and bodily movement, and faster pulse and breathing. This stage of sleep is crucial for the brain’s development because it plays a significant role in:
- Emotional Regulation: REM sleep is also linked to the regulation of emotions. For newborns, this helps in the development of emotional control and stability.
- Synaptic Growth: REM sleep promotes the growth and strengthening of synaptic connections in the brain. These connections are essential for brain plasticity, which is the ability of the brain to adapt and change in response to new experiences.
- Memory Consolidation: REM sleep is thought to play a significant role in memory consolidation. For newborns, this process aids in the absorption and storage of the continuous stream of new information they encounter from their environment.
- Brain Maturation: During REM sleep, the brain undergoes essential maturation processes. This is particularly important for newborns, as their brains are developing rapidly.
Fact 4: The First Night Effect keeps you more alert at night!
The “First Night Effect”: Many people don’t sleep as well in a new environment due to a survival mechanism where the brain stays more alert. Brain imaging studies suggest that one hemisphere of the brain remains more awake than the other during the first night in a new place.
Fact 5: Giraffes are basically lucky
Did you know that giraffes only need around 1.9 hours of sleep each day? They achieve this through brief naps lasting just a few minutes. Imagine if humans required so little sleep—life would certainly be much simpler!
Fact 6: The moon can impact human sleep
Studies have investigated the impact of the lunar cycle on human sleep patterns, with some suggesting that people might experience poorer sleep quality during a full moon. This phenomenon, known as “lunar insomnia,” is believed to be connected to ancient human rhythms from a time when moonlight influenced our ancestors’ sleep-wake cycles and nighttime activities. However, the scientific community continues to debate the extent and consistency of the moon’s effect on sleep, as evidence remains inconclusive and varies across studies.
Sleep is not just part of our daily routine
As sleep consultants, our dedication to sleep extends beyond its basic functions. We’re fascinated by its intricate complexities and unique traits. We truly believe that good sleep practices can significantly improve every area of life, from physical health to overall happiness. May these fun facts encourage you to appreciate and prioritise your sleep just as we do.
If you’re interested in personalised sleep consultations, don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m here to help you achieve the restful nights you deserve.
