Sleep: Vital for Body and Mind

Sleep is a natural recurring state of rest for the body and mind, essential for optimal functioning.

sleep FAQ

What is sleep & how does it work?

Sleep is a natural process that your body uses to rest and repair itself. While it might seem as simple as closing your eyes and nodding off, sleep is anything but simple. In fact, modern medicine’s understanding of sleep, what it does and how it works is just getting off the ground.

What happens during sleep?

It is important to recognize, though, that what happens during sleep is dynamic. Over the course of one night, you actually progress through multiple sleep cycles, each of which lasts between 70 and 120 minutes and is composed of separate sleep stages. These sleep stages are fundamental to how sleep works. What Are the Sleep Stages?

What does sleep mean?

In experimental studies, sleep has also been defined in terms of physiological variables generally associated with recurring periods of inactivity identified behaviorally as sleep.

Where do people sleep?

People sleep in a variety of locations. Some sleep directly on the ground; others on a skin or blanket; others sleep on platforms or beds. Some sleep with blankets, some with pillows, some with simple headrests, some with no head support.

Why is sleep important?

Researchers also believe that sleep may promote the removal of waste products from brain cells—something that seems to occur less efficiently when the brain is awake. Sleep is vital to the rest of the body too. When people don’t get enough sleep, their health risks rise. Symptoms of depression, seizures, high blood pressure and migraines worsen.

What is the science of sleep?

Here is a glimpse into the powerful (often surprising) findings of sleep researchers—and what they’re still trying to discover about the science of sleep. Throughout your time asleep, your brain will cycle repeatedly through two different types of sleep: REM (rapid-eye movement) sleep and non-REM sleep.

How does sleep affect your brain & body?

In fact, your brain and body stay remarkably active while you sleep. Recent findings suggest that sleep plays a housekeeping role that removes toxins in your brain that build up while you are awake. Everyone needs sleep, but its biological purpose remains a mystery.

How long does insomnia last?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that can last for months or years. Changing your sleeping habits often helps with sleep problems including insomnia. If this does not help or you think you have a sleep problem, see a GP. Your sleep matters, so put sleep first by joining our 6-week email programme.