The Healing Power of Sleep

There has been more and more studies on the importance of good quality sleep lately.

They are finding out just how very important it is!

About 3 months ago I got an app for my iPhone called Sleep Cycle alarm clock.

It is quite fascinating what goes on when you're sleeping.

Your mind is quite active and the right quality of sleep is doing really good things for your body.

Here is the link and believe me it's worth the 99 cents!!!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sleep-cycle-alarm-clock/id320606217?mt=8

and

http://www.sleepcycle.com/howitworks.html

I also found an excellent book about sleep by Mary O'Brien, MD

You can get it on Amazon.

As I get older, I seem to be having more trouble sleeping or staying asleep.

So I've done quite a bit of reading about the importance of sleep.

They have discovered that you definitely need at least 7-8 hours of sleep.

There are plenty of people that don't get that and say they are just fine on 5 hours.

Not enough sleep has long term effects.

There are some bad effects of sleep deprivation.  Even just not getting the correct amount of sleep over a period of time.

These are some of the negative effects that can happen:

Heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, headaches, depression, memory problems, cognitive disfunction, moodiness, weakened immune system, high blood pressure, and of course cold and flu.

Amazing right!!

When you are sleeping, the brain is actually quite active.

It is healing itself!   

Detoxifying.  

The human growth hormone and melatonin which play a big role in tissue recovery and immunity are produced during sleep.

By the way, light from your TV or phone etc, used at bedtime can stop that production of melatonin and give you a restless night's sleep.

Every living thing sleeps in some way.  (Even earthworms!!!!!)

Sleep is necessary for life.

Developing a sleep routine is very important for a good quality night's sleep.

There is a whole lot of information online about sleep.

Also information about dreaming.

Here are just a couple.

http://sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/what-happens-when-you-sleep

http://www.upmc.com/services/pulmonology/sleep-medicine/resources/pages/during-sleep.aspx

http://time.com/3326565/the-power-of-sleep/

Information about dreaming:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sleeping-angels/200905/why-we-dream-and-what-happens-when-we-do

http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/wellness/a1884/9-things-you-didnt-know-about-dreams-110657/

http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-importance-of-rem-sleep-dreaming/00019773

TV, computers, iPhones etc. emit blue light which tricks the brain into thinking it's daytime.

http://chriskresser.com/how-artificial-light-is-wrecking-your-sleep-and-what-to-do-about-it

So . . . . shut off your TV and other electronic devices and go to sleep in a darkened room!

Good night!!

Shirley