Let’s face it, we all know that feeling of being overly exhausted. We just can’t wait to crawl in bed and get that all important sleep our body is so desperately craving. But why does sleeping feel so good?
On average, people spend one-third of their life sleeping, given that adults sleep 6-8 hours a day. Nothing can compare to that feeling of leisure when laying down in bed after a long day and feeling the muscles starting to relax.
Your body needs decent sleep to rest and rejuvenate, and you can definitely feel it when you wake up refreshed and energized. But have you ever really wondered, why does sleep feel so good?
In this article, I’ll share some scientific facts on why people enjoy sleeping and tell you how to improve your sleeping habits, so keep on scrolling!
One of the reasons sleeping can feel so euphoric is because of the secretion of melatonin, also known as the ‘sleep hormone. Melatonin is produced by the pineal glands, and it has a relaxing effect that helps ease us into sleep. Research also shows that it can reduce anxiety, but how?
When the brain secretes melatonin, the hormone binds to some receptors in the body and brain, helping to bring nerve activity to a minimum and decrease the secretion of dopamine, which is an energizing hormone.
Besides melatonin, the brain releases several other important hormones, including cortisol. These two hormones, cortisol and melatonin, regulate our sleep patterns and are mutually inclusive. In short, cortisol wakes us up, and melatonin makes us sleepy.
When the balance between these hormones is interrupted, broken sleep cycles occur.
Any disruption or hormonal imbalance in the human body can cause broken sleep cycles, which are often caused by a limited secretion of melatonin and an excess of cortisol. Here are some of the most common effects of a broken sleep cycle:
If you’ve been suffering from this condition for a long time, you should speak with a healthcare provider to determine the underlying causes. It is commonly know that hormonal imbalances can result from high stress or other severe health issues.
By prioritizing healthy sleep habits, our bodies have less chance of developing many chronic conditions. So it is important always prioritize getting a good night’s sleep!
Maintaining healthy sleeping habits is vital for both your physical and mental well-being. Here’s a brief roundup of the most common ones.
With enough sleep, people experiencing anxiety and depression can stabilize their mood and severely decrease symptoms. Meanwhile, poor sleeping habits cause stress as a result of an excess of cortisol, which can worsen the symptoms of many mental conditions and cause mood swings.
Sleeping well for at least 7 hours per day is directly linked to better cognitive function. Having enough energy to concentrate is essential for memory consolidation and learning. This is why people who experience broken sleep cycles have problems concentrating, and their overall problem-solving abilities can seem slightly off.
During sleep, the human body doesn’t stop working. Sleep is vital in regulating immune functions by allowing the body to create cytokines. These small proteins help the body with any inflammation, infections, or trauma. If they aren’t present sufficiently, your body will become more susceptible to many diseases.
During REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the body secretes hormones that help muscle repair, which makes all the difference for athletes. Also, while you’re sleeping, your muscles remain paralyzed, restricting movement during sleep. This helps the tense muscles relax, ensuring enough rest for the coming day.
We tend to have the most memorable dreams during REM sleep, which is one of the reasons why our perception of time can be illusive during this stage. It is also the stage of sleep that is most responsible for helping to clear your mind and giving you that refreshed feeling.
Due to genetics, habits, and more, some people are content with sleeping 4-5 hours a day, while some can’t function with less than 7-8 hours of sleep. Ideally, you should do what’s best for you and your already existent sleeping habits.
If you are in a relationship, you will have grown accustomed to sharing the bed with your partner, and this can play a big role as well. Especially if the person you share a bed with is gone for an extended period of time. You may have trouble sleeping without them.
Nonetheless, there are some scientifically proven tips that can make all the difference in getting a better night’s sleep:
During sleep, the body releases a hormone called melatonin, which has a relaxing effect on the body and is the reason why sleeping feels so euphoric.
If you experience stress at night and aren’t able to fall asleep easily, you might have a hormonal imbalance that’s limiting the production of melatonin. In this case, you should limit caffeine intake before bed, avoid using any blue light-emitting screens, drink water, and try to maintain a sleep schedule.
