Understanding sleep

 We are either deprived of sleep or enjoy too much of it. How many of us can admit to getting it right? Read on to understand patterns and facts about sleep.

A sleeping person may change his position many times (at least 20 times) over a period of 6-7 hours. This has been proved through time lag video-graphics conducted by extensive studies on sleep patterns.

So how does the body go into slumber mode? The skin, when it comes in contact with a hard surface, reduces blood flow. Most infants prefer sleeping on their stomachs.

Human sleep patterns

Most adults require seven or eight hours of sleep. As one grows older, the duration of sleep reduces. This is a common cause that compels some elderly people to resort to sleeping pills, which can prove dangerous. If you are sleep-deprived, you must start exercising or develop a hobby such as reading or painting. Start drinking something warm before going to bed, to induce sleep.

Babies and children can sleep for close to 15 hours at a stretch. Children enjoy a healthy sleep cycle of 9-11 hours a day. The brain, up to the age of five, grows rapidly. So, make sure your baby gets sufficient sleep. A four-year-old needs 10-14 hours of sleep, while a 10-year-old averages 9-12 hours.

After a heavy meal, the brain usually goes into sleep mode and the body becomes lethargic. This is because there is little blood that is being supplied to the brain after a meal as more blood is needed for digestion. So, the blood from the upper part of the body and brain is drained out, making one feel drowsy. This is also why  it is recommended that a pillow be used while sleeping, so that the head is at an angle from the rest of the body.

Sleep hygiene: Hygiene in bed is as important as overall hygiene of the body. Researchers have found a link between unhygienic sleeping conditions and sleeping patterns. Some even suggest that poor hygiene can even lead to hallucinations and sleep deprivation.