What do you know about Sleep Schedules and Dream Deprivation?

Most of us know that sleep is important. Few people enjoy that “running on empty” feeling they get when they haven’t had enough sleep to maintain their energy for the day. However, many people suffer from poor sleep schedules that lead to dream deprivation, which is essentially when your deep REM sleep is repeatedly interrupted by something like your alarm clock. In order to maintain your health and get the full, healthy sleep you need, it’s important to consider your ideal sleep schedule so that your brain can dream as it’s meant to.

Essential Elements of Your Sleep Schedule

Researchers have long discussed the various stages of sleep. According to their findings, the two most important stages for restorative rest are deep sleep and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is also known as dream sleep. In order to get the deep sleep and REM sleep you need for optimum rest, you generally need more than seven hours of sleep each night. If you are losing an hour here and there, you might seriously be impeding your sleep schedule in a week’s time since those lost hours of sleep add up. Moreover, when your alarm clock interrupts that essential REM sleep, your depriving your brain of its dream sleep, some of the most restorative sleep your body can get.

Why Is Dream Sleep So Important?

One of the most important aspects of dream sleep is the deep rest that it provides our bodies. Yet, that’s just one aspect of REM sleep. Scientists also believe that REM sleep is the brain’s time to sift and sort all the information it received throughout the day. This sorting is down in image form–in dreams. If you cut down this sorting time, research shows that you can negatively impact your memory. Furthermore, as more research is conducted, there may be other essential aspects of REM sleep that come to light.

Enhancing Your Sleep Schedule

If you have been burning the candle at both ends and are suffering from a lack of sleep, you should remedy that situation as soon as possible. First of all, keep in mind that healthy sleepers enjoy sleeping. Getting a good night’s sleep isn’t a luxury, however, or an indulgence. It’s simply a healthy way to live. People feel better during the day when they’ve gotten the rest their minds and bodies need.

You can enhance your sleep schedule by going to bed on time and sticking to your sleep routine. Don’t take electronic gadgets to bed with you including your cell phone. Turn off the television and any devices that hum or buzz as these items can impact the quality of your sleep. Free your body of electromagnetic influences and turn off all the lights. If you have to use an alarm clock, purchase one that gently–not abruptly–wakes you each morning.

Turn off Your Brain

Many people have trouble falling asleep because they can seem to stop their brain from thinking about the day, work, or maybe even conversations on Facebook. In such cases, you might have to find ways to slow down before you get into bed. Take a relaxing bath. Read a chapter of a novel. Perform a few stretches. Many people find that it helps to set the stage for a good night’s sleep by quieting down the home. This means turning off the television and music. These simple steps can be highly effective for helping you get your sleep schedule on track so your mind can experience its important dream time again.

To learn more about sleep habits and solutions, or if you have any questions about our sleep products, contact our team of sleep professionals at M & N Mattress in Parksville, BC.