Be it at night after a tedious day or during a lazy weekend afternoon, who doesn’t love sleeping? But did you know that a person gets about 3 to 5 different dreams in one sleep cycle? Additionally, you can remember things better just by sleeping!
Scroll down to find out the 8 most interesting sleep facts you never knew before!
Dreamy Nights Are a Reality
On average, most people are likely to have about 3 to 5 dreams every night. However, most dreams are immediately forgotten, making them extremely difficult to recall when you wake up. While some dreams may last only for 20-30 seconds, others can go up to 20-30 minutes as well.
Sleep Varies Based On Your Gender
Circadian rhythms define the physical, mental, and behavioral changes in a person over a 24-hour cycle. These circadian rhythms vary slightly for males and females. Males have a longer circadian rhythm than females, which lasts about 6 minutes more. This is why men are less likely to feel tired during the evening. As women have a shorter rhythm, they may wake up earlier than men.
A New Bed Equals Better Sleep
Sleep Council claims that switching to a new bed can help you get about 42 minutes of extra sleep! With extra soft/cozy frames and excellent spine alignment; you’re all set for a sound sleep on a brand new bed. Moreover, a new mattress can also help relieve back pain, stiffness, and pressure points.
10-20 Minutes: That’s All It Takes
Sleep experts suggest that it should ideally take about 10-20 minutes for you to fall asleep after you relax on the bed. Falling asleep just after 5 minutes of hitting the bed indicates that you’re exhausted and sleep-deprived. Alternatively, taking more than 20 minutes to fall asleep regularly is a sign of insomnia.
When Sleeping Was A Two-Shift Job
Yes, you read it right! A surprising sleep fact is that back in the 1800s, there was a trend of sleeping in two batches. People used to go to sleep during the evening for about 3-4 hours before waking up late during the night. This period of wakefulness was called “the watch” and allowed people to carry out their regular tasks. Finally, they’d fall asleep again till the morning.
Smell Something? Not Really
Studies have revealed a strange fact about sleep that is related to our senses while we sleep. While noise can quickly disturb our sleep, the smell doesn’t work quite well. In fact, we’re less likely to smell anything once we fall asleep. The lack of smell is a major reason why fire alarms were invented to avoid late-night accidents.
Babies & Tigers: Same But Different
On average, human babies require about 16 hours of sleep per day for healthy growth. Interestingly, this is almost the same amount of sleep an adult tiger takes every day! While tigers may sleep for over 18 hours a day, koala tops the list of sleepiest animals in the world. Koalas spend about 18-22 hours of their day taking a nap.
Does Sleeping Promote Learning?
While it may sound surprising, it’s a proven fact that sleeping does help boost your memory! If you go to sleep directly after learning something, you’re more likely to remember it well. Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep usually occurs 90 minutes after you fall asleep. This is the most crucial stage in your sleep cycle that helps merge different memories.
Sleep Well, Stay Healthy
The modern lifestyle involves hectic schedules, leading to issues such as insomnia and sleep deprivation. Maintaining a proper sleep schedule is essential to promote healthy brain functioning and maintain your physical health. Thus, make sure that you take about 7-9 hours of adequate sleep every night.