Chapter 5 (part 2) - Purpose of Sleep Flashcards
(107 cards)
what is sleeping good for?
a restorative process
sleeping and physical health
helps our tissues and muscles regenerate
hormones are released which helps us to regulate the body in a variety of ways.
how does sleeping help mental health?
we need sleep to function properly.
Irritations such as stress, anxiety, and even depression can be affected by lack of sleep.
without sleep, normal and everyday things won’t seem tolerable.
how does sleep help learning?
memory consolidation; emotional memories; trouble focusing if sleep deprived. Attention is impacted with less sleep; our mind will wonder and we may doze off.
evolution and survival
conserve energy; avoid night
how does sleep help learning?
memory consolidation; emotional memories; trouble focusing if sleep deprived. Attention is impacted by less sleep; our minds will wander and we may doze off.
what is short-term sleep deprivation?
can impact you over time
not overly significant
- Groggy; feel “out of it”
- Irritability
- Loss of concentration
- Problems with judgment
- Driving Errors
- Physically tired
- Can lead to “sleep debt”
what is long-term sleep deprivation?
- more serious
- will also experience the same symptoms as
short term sleep deprivation - More prone to accidents (driving; workplace)
- More likely to suffer from the disease
- Early mortality
how can we sleep better?
Stick to a sleep schedule
Use light to your advantage
Create a sleep space
Get ready for sleep with relaxing activities
how do we stick to a sleep schedule?
- keep routine on weekends
- regulate the internal clock
- better patterns will help with long-term health
how to use light to your advantage
- expose yourself to light in the morning
- avoid bright light, such as screen, before bed
- when we start at technology this will send signals to the suprachiasmatic Nucleaus
- expose yourself to light in the morning (regulate circadian rhythm)
SCN
(SCN) is a small group of cells located in the hypothalamus of the brain. It is considered to be the master clock that regulates the circadian rhythms of the body, which are the internal biological rhythms that cycle approximately every 24 hours.
create a sleep space
- the bed is for sleeping
- keep it cool: 15 - 19 degrees c (cool external environment)
- no noise or lights
- exercise not a good idea before bed
get ready for sleep with relaxing activities
- read, take a bath, music, medication
- avoid stimulating activities right before bed, such as work and exercise
when should we avoid stimulants?
within 4-6 hours of sleep
Coffee/caffeine, nicotine
what should we avoid before bed?
heavy meals near bed time
- within 3 hours
- light snack If hungry
what should we do during the day so we sleep better?
exercise
- vigorous best but any will do
- movement regulates the body
what is insomnia?
difficulty falling and staying asleep
symptoms of insomnia
Trouble falling asleep (>30 minutes to fall asleep)
Waking up too early in the morning
Waking up during the night and having trouble returning to sleep
what percent of people report chronic insomnia?
9-15% of people report chronic insomnia
possible causes of insomnia
Poor nighttime routine
Some medications; Alcohol consumption
Anxiety, including lack of sleep
what is subjective insomnia?
people who complain they lack sleep but show normal patterns of sleep
why are sleeping pills questionable?
Some people may need them, but they can cause problems:
- some pills are known to cause memory issues
- possible to develop a tolerance and need more
- can be associated with forms of dementia
Psychotherapy may be as or more effective
what are night terrors?
sudden walking episodes characterized by screaming, perspiring, and confusion, followed by a return to deep sleep. usually only last a few minutes