Sleep affects physical and mental health

Extract from http://www.csmngt.com/ website

Sleep has a direct relationship to physical and mental health. Deprive a person of proper sleep & physical symptoms invariably develop.

• Research at Harvard University Medical School has identified links between the lack of proper sleep and assorted medical conditions ranging from cardiac conditions to cancer.


• Proper sleep is now recognized as a physical necessity.


• Sleep works as a restorative function for the brain and body.


• It is thought that deep sleep allows for a period of brain chemical / neurotransmitter replenishment. Are we smarter in the morning?


• Lack of proper sleep can be responsible for an assortment of medical conditions.


• Inadequate sleep increases the risk for heart disease as well as autoimmune disorders (i.e. rheumatoid arthritis).


• Lost sleep causes the brain to stop producing cells & thus lower intelligence. "The suppression of adult neurogenesis may underlie some of the cognitive deficits associated with prolonged sleep deprivation.", Dr Elizabeth Gould


• Narcotic / prescription sleep meds are detrimental to proper sleep.

Healthy Sleep - 5 stages of sleep

Healthy sleep is comprised of 90 minute sleep cycles. Each 90 minute cycle consisting of the 5 stages of sleep. Proper restful sleep will cycle through these 5 stages of sleep every 90 minutes throughout the night.

• This 1st stage is characterized by a drowsy feeling rather than 'sleep'. It is definitely an integral part of the sleep process.
• In the second stage of sleep ones awareness of the external environment slips away.
• Stage Three is a transition into Stage 4's delta deep sleep.
• Stage Four Delta Sleep is deep sleep, it is difficult to quickly awaken from Delta sleep.
• Stage Five is Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, associated with dreaming. REM sleep is most prevalent in the final third of a sleep period.

More details about 5 stages of sleep

This 1st stage is characterized by a drowsy feeling rather than 'sleep'. It is definitely an integral part of the sleep process.

• Stage 1 is the gateway between waking consciousness and sleeping unconsciousness. As we fall asleep, yawn.

In the second stage of sleep ones awareness of the external environment slips away.

• Stage 2 occupies 45-55% of total sleep.

Stage Three is a transition into Stage 4's delta deep sleep.

• Heart rate slows, respirations slow, brain waves slow.
• Less than 10% of total sleep.

Stage Four Delta Sleep is deep sleep, it is difficult to quickly awaken from Delta sleep.

• Delta sleeps dominates the first third of the night and makes up about 10-15% of total sleep time.
• This is a period of intense but slow brain waves. Brain waves significantly slow
  Heart rate & respirations slow, the body becomes mostly immobile.
• It is during stages 3 and 4, or slow brain wave sleep, that growth hormone levels increase and changes in immune function occur.
• Delta Sleep could be considered the anabolic part of sleep. Delta Sleep is when growth and rejuvenation occurs. A period of rejuvenation for our muscular, immune, nervous and skeletal systems.
• This pre-dream state stage of sleep is the time when sleep walking occurs. In REM sleep skeletal muscles are frozen.

The fifth Stage is Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, associated with dreaming. REM sleep is most prevalent in the final third of a sleep period.

• Predominates the late stages of sleep and can comprise up to 50% of the final 90 minute cycles.
• A period of very active brain activity, pulse rate increases & we lose the ability to use our skeletal muscles.
• REM sleep helps with the organization of memory.
• When you awaken with 'a problem solved' thank REM sleep's memory optimization process.

And don't miss this article, very organised & easy to understand Sleeping Well; What You Need to Know

Here is another one, Information about Sleep