Friday, April 13, 2018
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Monday, April 9, 2018
The Sleeping Pattern
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| Image Source : Google |
Scientists have since found that the brain goes through
characteristic patterns of activity throughout each period of sleep, and that
it is sometimes more active when we're asleep than when we're awake.
Understanding these patterns, and the factors that affect them, may help in
making choices that will lead to better quality sleep.
Shifting Sleep Patterns
Sleep patterns can be affected by many factors, including
age, the amount of recent sleep or wakefulness, the time of the day or night
relative to an individual’s internal clock, other behaviors prior to sleep such
as exercise, stress, environmental conditions such as temperature and light,
and various chemicals.
For example, for the first year of life, sleep often begins in the REM state. The cyclical alternation of NREM-REM sleep in newborns is present from birth but at 50 to 60 minutes is much shorter than the 90-minute cycles that occur in adults. Consolidated nocturnal sleep and fully developed EEG patterns of the NREM sleep stages emerge only after two to six months. Slow-wave sleep is greatest in young children and it decreases steadily with age, even if sleep duration does not change. This may be related to changes in the structure and function of the brain.
For example, for the first year of life, sleep often begins in the REM state. The cyclical alternation of NREM-REM sleep in newborns is present from birth but at 50 to 60 minutes is much shorter than the 90-minute cycles that occur in adults. Consolidated nocturnal sleep and fully developed EEG patterns of the NREM sleep stages emerge only after two to six months. Slow-wave sleep is greatest in young children and it decreases steadily with age, even if sleep duration does not change. This may be related to changes in the structure and function of the brain.
Sleep history—the quantity and quality of an individual’s
sleep in recent days—can also have dramatic effects on sleep patterns.
Repeatedly missing a night’s sleep, an irregular sleep schedule, or frequent
disturbance of sleep can result in a redistribution of sleep stages, for
instance, prolonged and deeper periods of slow-wave NREM sleep. Drugs may
affect sleep stages as well. For example, alcohol before sleep tends to
suppress REM sleep early in the night. As the alcohol is metabolized later in
the night, REM sleep rebounds. However, awakenings also become more frequent
during this time.
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Stress !!
Stress isn’t always bad. In small doses, it can help you
perform under pressure and motivate you to do your best. But when you’re
constantly running in emergency mode, your mind and body pay the price. If you
frequently find yourself feeling frazzled and overwhelmed, it’s time to take
action to bring your nervous system back into balance. You can protect yourself
— and improve how you think and feel — by learning how to recognize the signs
and symptoms of chronic stress and taking steps to reduce its harmful effects.
Because of the widespread damage stress can cause, it’s
important to know your own limit. But just how much stress is “too much”
differs from person to person. Some people seem to be able to roll with life’s
punches, while others tend to crumble in the face of small obstacles or
frustrations. Some people even thrive on the excitement of a high-stress
lifestyle.
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| Image Source : Google |
Things that influence your stress tolerance level :
Your support network - A strong network of supportive
friends and family members is an enormous buffer against stress. When you have
people you can count on, life’s pressures don’t seem as overwhelming. On the
flip side, the lonelier and more isolated you are, the greater your risk of
succumbing to stress.
Your sense of control - If you have confidence in
yourself and your ability to influence events and persevere through challenges,
it’s easier to take stress in stride. On the other hand, if you believe that
you have little control over your life—that you’re at the mercy of your
environment and circumstances, with limited ability to make changes—stress is
more likely to knock you off course.
Your attitude and outlook - The way you look at life
and its inevitable challenges makes a huge difference in your ability to handle
stress. If you’re generally hopeful and optimistic, you’ll be less vulnerable.
Stress-hardy people tend to embrace challenges, have a stronger sense of humor,
believe in a higher purpose, and accept change as an inevitable part of life.
Your ability to deal with your emotions - If you
don’t know how to calm and soothe yourself when you’re feeling sad, angry, or
troubled, you’re more likely to become stressed and agitated. Having the
ability to identify and deal appropriately with your emotions can increase your
tolerance to stress and help you bounce back from adversity.
Your knowledge and preparation - The more
you know about a stressful situation—including how long it will last and what
to expect—the easier it is to cope. For example, if you go into surgery with a
realistic picture of what to expect post-op, a painful recovery will be less
stressful than if you were expecting to bounce back immediately.
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Sleep !! Adequate ? How much ?
SOURCE : Google
In today’s fast-paced society, six or seven hours of sleep
may sound pretty good. In reality, though, it’s a recipe for chronic sleep
deprivation. Just because you're able to operate on six or seven hours of sleep
doesn't mean you wouldn't feel a lot better and get more done if you spent an
extra hour or two in bed.
While sleep requirements vary slightly from person to
person, most healthy adults need between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night
to function at their best. Children and teens need even more. And despite
the notion that our sleep needs decrease with age, most older people still need
at least 7 hours of sleep. Since older adults often have trouble
sleeping this long at night, daytime naps can help fill in the gap. The
quality of your sleep directly affects your mental and physical health and the
quality of your waking life, including your productivity, emotional balance,
brain and heart health, immune system, creativity, vitality, and even your
weight. No other activity delivers so many benefits with so little effort!
Sleep isn’t merely a time when your body shuts off. While
you rest, your brain stays busy, overseeing biological maintenance that keeps
your body running in top condition, preparing you for the day ahead. Without
enough hours of restorative sleep, you won’t be able to work, learn, create,
and communicate at a level even close to your true potential. Regularly skimp
on “service” and you’re headed for a major mental and physical breakdown.
While it may seem like losing sleep isn't such a big deal,
sleep deprivation has a wide range of negative effects that go way beyond
daytime drowsiness. Lack of sleep affects your judgment, coordination, and
reaction times. In fact, sleep deprivation can affect you just as much as being
drunk.
The good news is that you don't have to choose between
health and productivity. By addressing any sleep problems and making time to
get the sleep you need each night, your energy, efficiency, and overall health
will go up. In fact, you’ll likely get much more done during the day than if
you were skimping on shuteye and trying to work longer.
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Insomnia ? What's that ?
you can
only
survive
for 11 days
without
sleep
Insomnia is a sleep
disorder that regularly affects millions of people worldwide. In short,
individuals with insomnia find it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. The
effects can be devastating.
Signs and symptoms
Insomnia itself may be a symptom of an underlying medical
condition. However, there are many signs and symptoms that are associated with
insomnia:
- Difficulty falling asleep at night.
- Waking during the night.
- Waking earlier than desired.
- Daytime fatigue or sleepiness.
- Irritability, depression, or anxiety.
- Being uncoordinated, an increase in errors or accidents.
- Tension headaches (feels like a tight band around head).
- Difficulty socializing.
- Worrying about sleeping.
Sleep deprivation can cause other symptoms. The afflicted
person may wake up not feeling fully awake and refreshed and may have a
sensation of tiredness and sleepiness throughout the day.
Insomnia
can be triggered or perpetuated by your behaviours and sleep patterns. Unhealthy
lifestyles and sleep habits can create insomnia on their own (without any
underlying psychiatric or medical problem), or they can make insomnia caused by
another problem worse. Most adults have had some trouble sleeping because they
feel worried or nervous, but for some it’s a pattern that interferes with sleep
on a regular basis.
Insomnia
also can affect your daily activities and cause serious problems. The lack of
sleep can cause other symptoms. You may wake up feeling tired or not
well-rested, and you may feel tired during the day. You also may have trouble
focusing on tasks. Insomnia can cause you to feel anxious, depressed, or
irritable.
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