Belonging @ Craigslea
As I am sure you know, sleep is an important part of your daily routine— It is estimated that we spend about a third of our time sleeping. Quality sleep, and getting enough of it at the right times, is as essential to survival as food and water.
Sleep is important to a number of brain functions, including how nerve cells communicate with each other. In fact, your brain and body stay remarkably active while you sleep, completing many vital functions.
- Your Brain sorts and processes the day’s information
One of the most active parts of the body during sleep is the brain. During sleep, there is evidence to suggest that the brain’s trillions of nerve cells literally rewire themselves. This rewiring, which happens during deep, slow-wave sleep, is how we process and able to retain new information we may have learned throughout the day. Your brain is making a map of the information, making new connections, and breaking other ones.
- Hormones flood your body
There are a range of different hormones released during sleep, all with different purposes. Melatonin, released by the pineal gland, controls your sleep patterns. Levels increase at night-time, making you feel sleepy. While you’re sleeping, your pituitary gland releases growth hormone, which helps your body to grow and repair itself.
- Your immune system releases inflammation fighting proteins
Sleep and the circadian system exert a strong regulatory influence on immune functions (Besedovsky, Lange, & Born, 2012). While you’re sleeping, your immune system releases a type of small protein called cytokines. If you’re sick or injured, these cytokines help your body fight inflammation, infection, and trauma. Without enough sleep, your immune system might not be able to function at its best. Recent findings suggest that sleep also plays a housekeeping role that removes toxins in your brain that build up while you are awake.
Sleep well.
Renee McGregor