You know that you need sleep in order to function, but how much should you be getting? How long should it take you to fall asleep? What happens if you become sleep deprived?
Knowing more about sleep can help you understand just how important it is for your health and well-being. Check out the following sleep facts, including some surprising ones!
1) Hours of Sleep
Getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep? You’re getting the right amount for healthy adults, based on the latest research.
If you’re not, keep in mind that other facts about sleep include that some people can function with a fewer hours' sleep, like 5 or 6 hours. Other people can’t function without 10 or more hours of sleep.
2) Sleep Facts About REM
For years, scientists thought that people only dream during rapid eye movement, or REM sleep. It’s now known that people might actually be dreaming all or at least most than half of the time they sleep, not just during REM. Dreams during non-REM sleep (or NREM sleep) might not be the same as REM dreams, though.
3) Physical Activity and Sleep
So you know that physical activity is great for your body and mind. But when you exercise can affect your sleep. Working out in the morning? Great idea for improving your sleep at night! Getting some evening exercise in? This can make it harder for you to get a good night’s sleep.
If you're having sleep problems and you exercise in the evening, try moving your workout earlier in the day. Exercise will benefit you much more if you're getting enough hours sleep per night.
4) Sleep Delay Facts
Some fascinating sleep facts about humans include that we’re the only mammals that willingly delay sleep. Other mammals that sleep go ahead and get the rest they need when they need it.
As humans, we’re the only type of sleeping mammal that puts off going to sleep, even when we know we should really be getting quality sleep.
5) Sleep Stages
Fun facts about sleep stages are pretty interesting! Did you know that we all go through 5 sleep stages, but not necessarily in order? Scientists think we go through them in order at first when we fall asleep. After that, though, people tend to move between certain stages only during the rest of the night.
6) Sleep Facts About Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation is a serious problem. In fact, it can be deadly. The average person can only go about 10 days without any sleep.
Guinness World Records states that someone once went 449 hours or over 18 days without sleep, but that’s not recommended! Did you know that sleep deprivation is partly to blame for major accidents, like Chernobyl?
7) Sleep Facts About Light Exposure
Exposure to light can make it harder for you to fall asleep and stay asleep during the night. Having light in your room while you’re trying to fall asleep, such as an alarm clock or nightlight, can lead to sleep disturbances and cause you to get a poor night’s sleep.
You don’t have to ditch your alarm clock or nightlight, though. Instead, put on a Blissy Sleep Mask! A sleep mask made of high-quality silk can block out light, allowing you to get a good night’s sleep. Slide your mask on while pondering all of the facts about sleep you now know.
8) Drowsy Driving Facts
Being tired behind the wheel leads to tons of accidents. In fact, drowsy drivers end up causing 100,000 car crashes each year. Around 7% of American adults admit that they’ve dozed off behind the wheel due to insufficient sleep.
The safest day to be on the road might be right after daylight savings time stops, since people get an extra hour of sleep that night.
9) Sleep and Health Problems
Many sleep facts point to a higher risk of health problems for people who don’t get enough sleep. Studies show that adults who sleep less than 7 hours night after night have an increased risk of having serious health problems, like diabetes and mental health issues.
For those who work odd hours, such as night shifts, the risks of having cardiovascular disease and other health problems increases.
10) Sleep Apnea
Facts about sleep disorders often mention sleep apnea, since this is one of the most common types. Sleep apnea happens when your breathing pauses as you sleep, causing you to wake up abruptly. This can happen several times per night, leading to poor sleep quality, immune system problems, and poor overall health.
11) Sleep Environment
The environment you sleep in can affect your sleep quality. Sleep facts show that sleeping in a dark room that isn’t too hot gives you the ideal environment for a good night’s rest. Also, make sure you’re sleeping on a comfortable mattress and pillows, or you might end up tossing and turning over and over again.
12) Facts About Couples and Sleep
While you might enjoy cozying up to your partner, not every couple sleeps in the same bed. Did you know that around 25% of married couples sleep in separate beds?
Sleep schedule, sleep positions, and even erratic movements during sleep can make sleeping next to a disruptive sleep partner a good way experience sleep loss. Snoring is among the top reasons for couples to sleep separately, especially when they choose to sleep in different rooms.
13) Sleep Facts About Falling Asleep
Forget about counting sheep. Sleep experts recommend imagining yourself in a relaxing place, since focusing on sheep can be boring. As the clock ticks closer to bedtime, staying away from coffee also helps you fall asleep better.
Drinking coffee can mess with your internal body clock and make it harder to fall asleep, so try to avoid it later in the afternoon and evening.
14) Sleep and Dreams
Facts about sleep and dreams include the fact that most people dream in color. You can thank the invention of color television for that! Before that happened, people dreamed mostly in black and white.
15) Blue Light Facts
Sleep facts often include sleep experts recommending that people avoid staring at screens before going to bed. That’s because phones, tablets, and other devices give off blue light that makes your brain think it’s daytime. This can lead to trouble falling asleep and sleep deprivation.
So put those screens away before bed if you're having trouble sleeping.
Sleep Better with Blissy
Had enough sleep facts for now? If you’re ready to pick out a sleep mask for a good night’s sleep, visit Blissy today! Blissy Sleep Masks are made of the highest quality silk, so you can get your beauty sleep without any trouble.
