Sleep
Written By: Niyati Roy
Sleep is needed for restoration especially for brain. The
body’s metabolism slows down to aid this process to allow restorative processes
to take over. The sleeping brain has shown to remove metabolic waste products at
a faster rate than during an awake state. Anabolic hormones such as growth
hormones are secreted preferentially during sleep1. It has been shown
that sleep deprivation affects the immune system as there is a lessening of
white blood cells.2
Scientists have also demonstrated in various ways that sleep
can enhance memory. Procedural memory (memory for motor skills) benefits
from late, REM-rich sleep, whereas declarative memory (memory for general
knowledge) benefits from early, slow wave-rich sleep.3
Hence younger adults (aged 18-25) need an average of 7-9
hours of sleep every night to ensure cognitive and physical restoration4. Sleep is
an essential component to a healthy lifestyle and paired with exercise and a
healthy diet ensures greater wellbeing.
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