There are many reasons why sleep is a hobby of many people. This most peaceful part of the day is vital to both physical and mental well-being. While it seems to many that the whole body relaxes during sleep, there are actually many different things happening to it.
1. Body temperature drops
Since most muscles become inactive during sleep, the body burns fewer calories than during the day and the body temperature drops. Scientists have found that body temperature tends to be lowest around 2:30 am.
2. The eyes are moving
Although the eyes are closed with eyelids in a dream, they move under them. In fact, this movement even differs depending on the specific stages of sleep.
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3. Body twitches
Sharp twitching and jerking is mainly associated with the first stage of sleep. They are generally harmless, but they can be strong enough to actually wake a person up.
4. Muscles are relaxed
There is a good reason why most muscles are relaxed during sleep. If they were active, then a person could move while sleeping, which would be extremely dangerous.
5. The skin is restored
The top layer of the skin is made up of densely packed dead cells that are shed constantly throughout the day. During sleep, the metabolic rate of the skin accelerates and in many cells of the body an increase in activity and a decrease in the breakdown of proteins begin. Since protein is needed to grow and repair damage from factors such as UV radiation, deep sleep is beneficial for the skin.
6. The brain forgets useless information
People perceive an insane amount of information throughout the day. If they remembered it all, they would soon go mad. That is why at night the brain sorts information and forgets about unnecessary information.
7. Throat narrows
Unlike most other muscles, the throat muscles do not paralyze during sleep, as they are needed to breathe. However, they relax during sleep, causing the throat to narrow. It can also cause snoring.
8. The body makes hormones
During slow wave sleep, the human body produces hormones that stimulate cell growth, multiplication, and cell regeneration. It is an important regulator of the immune system.
9. The immune system is at an all-time high
Sleep deprivation has been shown to negatively affect the immune system. One study found that people who received flu shots and were sleep deprived of the antibodies needed to protect themselves from the flu the next night. Therefore, if a person noticed the first signs of infection, he should sleep.
10. Weight loss
During sleep, a person loses water through sweating and exhaling moist air. This also happens throughout the day, but eating and drinking negates any weight loss. Therefore, good and long sleep is essential for any diet.
11. Dry mouth
Since saliva is mainly needed for food, and a person does not eat while sleeping, the amount of saliva secreted decreases at night. Consequently, the mouth dries up, and in the morning it is often thirsty.
12. Grinding of teeth
Studies have estimated that about 5% of people suffer from a bizarre condition known as bruxism. This results in excessive teeth grinding during sleep and can ultimately damage the teeth. Scientists are not sure what exactly causes this condition, but they believe it could be a form of stress relief.
13. The body gets longer
It has been found that people can increase in height by several centimeters in the morning compared to the evening. When you sleep in a horizontal position, the spine straightens out because the body weight does not put pressure on it.
14. Blood pressure drops sharply
During sleep, anyone experiences a condition known as "nighttime blood pressure drop". On average, it falls by 5 - 7 mm at night. rt. Art.
15. Sleepwalking
Scientifically, disorders known as parasomnias (sleepwalking and other activities during sleep) include behaviors, emotions, sensations, and dreams that typically occur during the transition between some of the sleep stages. Parasomnias are mostly harmless, but there have been cases where people have been injured during sleepwalking.
16. Sexual arousal
Both men and women can become aroused while sleeping. When the brain is more active during sleep, it requires more oxygen. As a result, blood flow throughout the body is increased, which leads to swelling of the genitals.
17. Dreams
The content and purpose of dreams is not fully understood, but it is known that the average person has 3 to 5 dreams per night. Dreams mainly occur in the first stage of sleep, when the person's brain is at its most active. However, most dreams are forgotten immediately or quickly.
18. The brain makes decisions
Recent research has shown that the brain can process information and prepare for further action during sleep by effectively making decisions while unconscious. In fact, the brain can even make important discoveries during sleep.
19. Flatulence
The anal sphincter muscles weaken slightly during sleep, which makes it easier for gases to escape from the intestines. The good news is that your sense of smell also diminishes during sleep.
20. Clearing toxins
Removing toxins allows the body and brain to rejuvenate. In people who sleep poorly, filtering harmful substances is not as effective, which is why experts say this is what makes people with insomnia a little crazy.
21. Unconscious awakening
Scientific studies have shown that people wake up many times during sleep, but these awakenings are so short that they do not remember them. Typically, these awakenings occur during the transitional periods between sleep stages.
22. You can stop breathing
Millions of people around the world suffer from the sleep disorder known as "apnea". The disorder is characterized by pauses between breaths when breathing, and each pause can last for a few seconds or even a few minutes.
23. An explosion can be heard
Exploding head syndrome is a rare condition in which a person hears loud imaginary sounds (eg, a bomb explodes, the sound of gunfire, etc.) or experiences a strange feeling of exploding when falling asleep or waking up. It is painless, but it scares the sufferer.
24. Conversations during sleep
Conversations during sleep are parasomnias, in which a person begins to chatter out loud uncontrollably while sleeping. Such "conversations" can be quite loud and can be as simple muttering sounds, and long, often slurred speech.
25. Reducing pain threshold
When the body is completely relaxed to the point of paralysis, the nerves cannot receive pain signals and transmit them to the brain. It also explains why people have trouble hearing smells, sounds, etc. while sleeping.