Sleep -
Sleep needs vary by age, and variation exists even within age groups. But in general, The National Sleep Foundation provides these daily sleep guidelines:. To learn more about how sleep needs change over time, see Children and Sleep.
In general, it should take about 10 to 20 minutes for a person to drift off. But if one perceives that it is taking too long—whether it takes 20 minutes or an hour—that can spur anxiety about sleep that negatively affects sleep quality.
Falling asleep as soon as one's head hits the pillow is not proof that one is a good sleeper; it's more likely an indication that an individual is sleep-deprived.
For more on recognizing signs of disordered sleep, see Overcoming Insomnia or Sleep Disorders. There do appear to be rare individuals who can function on significantly less sleep, which evidence suggests is due to genetics ; conversely, there appear to be some people who require significantly longer amounts of sleep—up to 10 hours a night—to function optimally.
However, many people who think they are functioning well on little sleep may actually be chronically sleep deprived , as evidence suggests that it becomes difficult for people to objectively judge their mental state after several nights of poor sleep. The standard sleep hygiene advice can be of great help to many poor sleepers: Make sure your bedroom is cool and dark.
Use your bed only for sex and sleep. Avoid caffeine from mid-afternoon on. And avoid all screens for at least an hour before turning in; screens' melatonin-inhibiting blue light delays sleep latency by an average of 10 minutes. Falling asleep in front of a TV, as 61 percent of adults confess to having done, is a problem as well: The screen's light penetrates the eyelids, so the brain still experiences exposure to light.
This phenomenon prevents the more refreshing stages of deep sleep. For more on improving sleep, see How to Sleep Better.
Some experts hypothesize that dreams and nightmares—which often consist, at least in part, of real people, places, and life events—help the brain consolidate memories accumulated over the course of the day, identifying which ones to retain for long-term memory and allowing the rest to fade.
Others argue that dream scenarios allow us to process emotions, mull over problems, or act out fantasies in a safe environment. Regardless of their purpose, what is known about dreams is that they appear to be universal—even if some people almost never remember having them.
For more about dreams, see Understanding Dreams or Managing Nightmares. Chronotypes exist on a spectrum; while a few people are at either extreme, the majority of people fall somewhere in the middle. For those who are unsure, there also exist online quizzes that purport to help individuals understand their chronotype.
Accumulating a large sleep debt has been associated with increased risk of certain physical and mental health conditions such as diabetes or anxiety. For more on tackling insufficient sleep, see Overcoming Insomnia.
An old or poor-quality mattress may be hindering sleep quality. The Better Sleep Council states that mattresses should be replaced every 7 to 10 years; older ones tend to stop providing adequate support, resulting in restless, inadequate sleep; they also accumulate allergens which can further disrupt sleep.
Many sleep experts endorse the use of weighted blankets, and not just for those with conditions like restless leg syndrome. Users find that the blankets provide the same type of comfort as hugs or swaddling for babies. Wearing a sleep-tracking bracelet that can record when one falls asleep and wakes up, and detect interrupted sleep, can also help some people.
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Among all the subjects taught in Psych , students need to learn about the importance of sleep. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. home Sleep. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website.
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intransitive verb. These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sleep. Send us feedback about these examples.
Middle English slepe , from Old English slǣp ; akin to Old High German slāf sleep and perhaps to Latin labi to slip, slide. before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1. before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1.
sleep apnea. Accessed 14 Feb. Nglish: Translation of sleep for Spanish Speakers. Britannica English: Translation of sleep for Arabic Speakers. com: Encyclopedia article about sleep.
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Log In. sleep 1 of 2 noun. Synonyms of sleep. a : a state of torpid inactivity. b : death put a pet cat to sleep. also : trance , coma. c : the closing of leaves or petals especially at night.
d : a state marked by a diminution of feeling followed by tingling my foot's gone to sleep. e : the state of an animal during hibernation. a : a period spent sleeping. b : night. c : a day's journey.
sleeplike ˈslēp-ˌlīk. sleep 2 of 2 verb. slept ˈslept ; sleeping ; sleeps. intransitive verb 1. was sleeping with a coworker.
Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota Citrus aurantium for cholesterol management at Mayo Clinic Slepe System Citrus aurantium for cholesterol management. You're not doomed to Kidney bean dip recipes and turn Slwep night. Consider simple tips for better sleep, from setting a sleep schedule to including physical activity in your daily routine. Many factors can interfere with a good night's sleep — from work stress and family responsibilities to illnesses. It's no wonder that quality sleep Slefp sometimes elusive.
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