Since yesterday I posted something about dreams, I’d continue the “series” with the reasons why sleep matters so much. Since we sleep somewhere around one third of our life, I think it’s important to find out what’s its purpose, don’t you think?
If you’re a human, you sleep. However, let’s get a more “professional” look about what sleep really is:
“Sleep is a naturally recurring state of mind and body, characterized by altered consciousness, relatively inhibited sensory activity, inhibition of nearly all voluntary muscles, and reduced interactions with surroundings. It is distinguished from wakefulness by a decreased ability to react to stimuli, but more reactive than coma or disorders of consciousness, sleep displaying very different and active brain patterns.” – Wikipedia
- It allows us to “virtually” fulfill our desires
As mentioned before, our dreams and nightmares can reflect what happens in our subconscious and thanks to it, some of that energy is released. Because it’s released “virtually”, there is no need to be released in reality (or at least, the energy isn’t that strong anymore) because the dream feels real enough.
- Our body heals in our sleep
“During sleep, most of the body’s systems are in an anabolic state, helping to restore the immune, nervous, skeletal, and muscular systems; these are vital processes that maintain mood, memory, and cognitive function, and play a large role in the function of the endocrine and immune systems. The internal circadian clock promotes sleep daily at night. The diverse purposes and mechanisms of sleep are the subject of substantial ongoing research.” – Wikipedia
- It “charges our batteries” (obviously)
Technically, we should feel rested after 7-9 hours of sleep (that’s what studies say it is required), but we know that it doesn’t happen every time. Sometimes we feel worse than a bird’s poop that fell from 30 meters. Nevertheless, we can proper function after 7-9 hours of sleep (and at least two coffees).
- Our thinking pattern is broken
It is, but only for a while. If you’re sad or mad or whatever, you’ll be ok while you sleep and your mind can take a break from that (in theory). But when you wake up, after a few seconds, all of that can rush back in if it’s that important to you.
So yeah, even if you hear a lot about hard work, hustle and grind, don’t forget about sleeping because that’s very important for your health. Your body won’t consume so much energy as it does while you’re awake and your mind can be at peace for a while.
How many hours do you sleep per night?
That’s true! Thank you 😊
Thank you for reading! 😀
Not sleeping was one of my biggest triggers to drink. I used to think “passing out” was the same thing, but now that iv
Can well imagine. With drinks in the evening or night first half sleep is good but rather bad later. I am told drinking after 3pm adversely effects the sleep
I’ve had a good night’s rest, it is absolutely not the same. (Sorry about the double reply – got a little trigger happy)
😊
This is interesting. So you used to drink so you can fall asleep?
I just went two days without sleep and then am only currently running on 4….😆
How come you went two days without sleep?
Sadly, slowly but surely becoming more common place over recent months! Lovely combo of being nocturnal and often insomniac! 😆
I try to sleep between 6-8 hours.
That’s great, Mackenzie! Do you ever get less then 5?
Sleep is great, better go get some myself! I sleep 8-10 hours a night. Might be shy of 8 tonight since I was working on tomorrow’s post. -Rebecca
Blogging comes first, right? 😀
Ha, ha. My family is starting to wonder… It’s easy to get carried away when the house is quiet and the synapses are firing. -Rebecca
Sleep does matter a lot. Other than the great benefits you have mentioned; it frees the soul and touches super consciousness in deep sleep 🙏
It does! It allows our mind to go free!
Great post. Doing a bit of study on this subject matter, one area I find particularly interesting and quite inspirational is the bit that says, the dream realm could be a virtual space where problems are solved: in the dream world, there are no barriers or limitations that the physical world puts in place in which most times are anti-innovation/creativity.
Yes, we can do everything in that world! I guess that’s why people try to get as many lucid dreams as possible.
Thank you for reading! <3
I’m used to sleeping 4-5 hours every night but since late last year, I’ve decided to sleep 6-8 hours all the time.
I’m glad you made that decision. How come you used to sleep only 4-5 hours every night?
It started when I entered the university, I was a working student then. So I got used to it until late last year.
I have encountered sleepless nights long ago, it really can kill you, trust me. You won’t want to have that kind of feeling. One person will need average 6 – 8 hours of sleep. Our body will detox ourselves by dawn too.
Very true! I hope you don’t have such nights anymore…
I recently found out that getting out of your Circadian rhythm can induce mania – and the best cure is sleep. I prefer to get about 9 hours in, and I’m working on being better about the time I go to bed etc. It’s an amazing tool for healing.
That’s great! In this case, I really need to stick to a sleeping schedule so I can re-form my circadian rhythm…