Last Updated on July 25, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar
Sleep is very important for our health. Lack of sound sleeping results in insomnia and other physical discomforts. Oversleeping is also bad for our health. We all love to sleep right? There are many fascinating and interesting facts about sleep that you might not be knowing! This article will give you a glimpse of them. Now, read this article and sleep later!
#1
We think we sleep very less. But the reality is that an average person spends about one third of his life sleeping!
#2
Before you are going to sleep, you often stretch and yawn. This is quite common. But scientists have got a term to describe it! It is called ‘Pandiculation’.
#3
Sleep has got various stages. Light sleep, Sound sleep and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase. It should be noted that we dream during the REM phase.
#4
Many os us snore while asleep. Scientists say that at least 30% of adults snore! Snoring can at times get irritating for others nearby. That’s why many companies have come up with a variety of anti-snoring devices. These devices are programmed to awake the snorer by giving him electric shocks or shaking his bed etc. Nowadays small strips of cloth which can be placed over the nose are available. The manufacturers claim that the product enhances the breathing capacity and eliminates snoring.
#5
People have different sleeping habits. Some sleep for a long stretch of time continuously while others sleep in short naps. Leonardo Da Vinci and Winston Churchill were known to take short naps only. Many army personnel are trained to sleep this way on cat-naps!. There is also a new concept called power nap. It is aimed at reducing the time of sleep without reducing the quality of it.
#6
When do we dream? During the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) period. This period starts after about 90 minutes after we fall asleep. On an average, REM lasts for about 2 hours each night.
#7
Maureen Weston of Peterborough, UK avoided sleep for 449 hours continuously in 1977. This took place during a rocking chair marathon. Barring some minor health issues, she was unharmed.
#8
The amount of sleep required by a person depends on his/her age. New born babies can sleep for 21 freaking hours a day! Yes, they need all that sleep! Small children need 10 hours of sleep. Adults need 7-8 hours of sound sleep and those over 60 years of age require about 6 hours of sleep.
I am Vishnu Nambiar a career and educational blogger from India. I am also a full time educational consultant having more than 12 years of experience in the educational sector.
I share articles related to courses, colleges, careers, exam tips and more here.