Sleep is the basic human act that is most taken for granted, and the consequences of this are grim. Despite this, people still give up sleep in order to work longer, watch or read more, or just enjoy being awake more.
What is Sleep?
Sleep is a naturally recurring activity that humans do in order to rest their bodies and render their minds unconscious. But sleep is also a way for the body to recharge itself after hours of mental, physical, and emotional activity that drains the body of its physical strength. It’s a complex and vital process for all the parts of the body and mind to function properly.
Stages of sleep
A typical sleep cycle starts at a stage when the person is still awake and then shifts to the next stage where the person transitions from waking to sleeping. At this stage the brain waves begin to slow down as the brain shifts from the wakefulness wave patterns. Then the person goes into the light sleep stage where the brain waves get slower but still receive sudden bursts of electrical activity. Next is the deep sleep stage where body temperature goes down and breathing and heartbeat also slow down. These are the so-called stages of Non-REM sleep.
About 90 minutes after falling asleep, the person goes into the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep stage where the brain wave is similar to that of wakefulness. The person’s eyes move rapidly from side to side while the eyelids are closed. Breathing and heart rate become faster and even irregular. It is at this time that dreaming occurs and it is why the body is temporarily paralyzed at this stage so that the person dreaming will not act out those dreams.
Usually, a sleeping person goes through repeated cycles of the sleep stages on a typical night.
The Importance of Sleep
Sleep is as vital to survival as eating and drinking. Getting enough of it will provide a person with optimal health. Some benefits of enough restful sleep are:
- boosts the immune system;
- helps you focus and concentrate more;
- reduces stress and improves your mood;
- improves learning; and,
- lowers the risk of heart disease and other diseases and conditions.
No amount of energy drinks or vitamins can replace a good night’s rest. So, if you are neglecting getting a good rest, you might be risking your own and your family’s safety.
World Sleep Day
The World Sleep Society, the hosts and organizers of World Sleep Day, can’t stress the importance of a good night’s sleep enough. That is why they come together for a yearly event called World Sleep Day to raise awareness that sleep is a human privilege that is often jeopardized by the modern day unhealthy daily routine.
The event aims to celebrate sleep and move people to act on the important issues that affect sleep. These include negative impacts on education, medicine, social life, and activities like driving. Through this event, the organizers plan to promote better prevention and management of sleep disorders as well in order to lessen the burden of sleep problems on society. World Sleep Day is usually scheduled on the Friday before the Spring Vernal Equinox of each year. This year the event will happen on March 13, 2020.
Have Better Sleep with the Bamboo Factory Pillow
Here is the perfect way to celebrate World Sleep Day: sleep, using not just any pillow, but The Bamboo Factory pillow. With The Bamboo Factory pillow and other bamboo products, you are assured of a good night’s sleep because of the high-quality materials that are used to make them. Moreover, the following qualities of the Bamboo Factory pillow will really give you restful slumber: soft and comfy, hypoallergenic, thermoregulating, moisture wicking, antibacterial, and antimicrobial.
Check out this link to see more products made from bamboo fibre so that you and your family can enjoy a healthy lifestyle.