Smart People Sleep

Many people tend to almost brag about how little rest need to function, but the truth is we don't seem to adapt to getting less sleep than we need. While we personally may "get used to" a sleep-depriving schedule, our judgment, reaction time, and other functions are still impaired-regardless of our awareness of it happening. Achieving what researchers call "deep sleep" is most important, which requires consistency and enough time to experience the various cycles each night. Many of the body's cells show increased production and reduced breakdown of proteins during deep sleep. Since proteins are the building blocks needed for cell growth and for repair of damage from factors like stress and ultraviolet rays, deep sleep may truly be "beauty sleep." Activity in parts of the brain that control emotions, decision-making processes, and social interactions is drastically reduced during deep sleep, suggesting that this type of sleep may help people maintain optimal emotional and social functioning while they are awake. Additionally, pattern repetitions that also occur during deep sleep may help encode memories and improve learning.

-Thomas C. Jensen, NASM & NSCA-C.P.T.

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