The Science of Sleep
During this stage of sleep, we dream and experience improvement to our learning and memory
REM or Rapid Eye Movement
Lack of sleep weakens our immune system, making us more likely to experience what?
Illnesses
How many minutes should it take, on average, to fall asleep?
10-15 minutes
If it takes you 5 minutes or less to fall asleep, you are likely sleep-deprived.
Fill-in-the-blank: _________ are the only mammals that delay sleep, meaning they do not always go to sleep when tired
Humans
How many stages of sleep are there?
5 Stages: 1, 2, 3, 4, and REM
Fill-in-the-blank: Sleep helps to ________ tissues in the body.
Repair
True or False: if you are having trouble falling asleep you should stay in bed
False: if you cannot fall asleep, try to do a relaxing and quiet activity in a dimly lit room such as reading or meditating.
2 hours
Memory, problem-solving, decision-making, focus, creativity, organizing new information
Fill-in-the-blank: During sleep, your heart rate ________ and your blood pressure ___________
Heart rate decreases
Blood pressure lowers
True or false: sleeping with a light on or TV on is harmless
False: it is best to sleep in a dark room. Light will disrupt your body's natural circadian rhythm. Exposure to blue light can interfere with our body's production of melatonin, a hormone that helps us get to sleep.
What term is used when a person wakes up but is unable to move? It happens when the brain wakes up before the body does.
Sleep paralysis
How long does one sleep cycle usually last?
90 minutes
What role does sleep play with mental health?
Healthy sleep can improve mental health. Sleep deprivation can lead to increased anxiety and depression.
What is the name of the condition that makes it harder for a person to fall asleep or stay asleep for long periods of time?
Within 5 minutes of waking up, what percentage of dreams are forgotten?
50%
Approximately how much of our lives are spent sleeping? (answer in the form of a % or fraction)
One-third or 33% of our lives
Name 2 chronic health conditions that someone will be more likely to develop because of sleep deprivation
High blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, heart attack, dementia, obesity, early death
True or False: taking melatonin supplements or sleeping pills can help you fall asleep
False: these can work in the short-term, but can actually disrupt sleep in the long-term.
What percentage of Americans lose sleep because of stress?
65%