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The Secrets of Sleep

Have you ever wondered why you spend so much of your life asleep? Just as electricity charges the battery of a mobile phone, sleep recharges your body and your mind.

What is sleep?

1．It is brought on by your “body clock”—a system inside your brain that helps you sleep at night and wake up in the morning. Even though you are not aware of your surroundings when you sleep, your brain remains active.

Why do people need to sleep?

Humans could not function without sleep. According to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, sleep helps people learn by strengthening their memories. It has physical benefits too—like maintaining a healthy weight and boosting your immune system.2． Your brain becomes foggy, making it difficult to concentrate and make decisions. That’s why you may be told to “sleep on”—a choice you’re uncertain about.

What are dreams?

Dreams usually occur during a stage of sleep known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. In REM, the eyes move quickly back and forth and brain activity increases. Scientists are not sure why people dream. 3． Others say it helps people process emotions. Everybody dreams for around two hours a night but not everyone can remember them.

How much sleep do I need?

Most adults need around eight hours of sleep a day, but Mandy Gurney, who runs the Millpond Children’s Sleep Clinic, says that children need more.4． “An eight-year-old requires around 10 to 10-and-a-half hours of sleep each night, dropping to around nine hours a night in your teen years.” A good night’s sleep will get your day off to a great start. As Mahatma Gandhi, who was an Indian politician and activist, is quoted as saying, “5．”