Good and sufficient sleep plays a vital role in maintaining our health, immunity, weight management, emotional well-being and so many more. Sleep is when our bodies and minds go into a state of altered consciousness, whereby certain bodily functions are reduced.
Most of us know the importance of sleep and how it affects us, however, did you know that sleep itself has many quirks and oddities that many of us may not be aware about?
Are you a sleepwalker?
According to the National Sleep Foundation, about 15% of the population sleepwalks!
Sleepwalking is also known scientifically as somnambulism or noctambulism is a disorder that combines sleeping and waking, whereby sleepwalkers engage in tasks usually done while awake.
Dreaming in black and white
Studies and questionnaires have shown that approximately 12% of the population dreams in black and white! In the 1940s and 1950s, the figure was closer to 75% as it was the era before the colour television became popularised.
The higher you are, the worse you sleep
The higher up you go (13,200ft or more), the more your sleep will be disrupted. Research suggests that this is due to less oxygen being available and changes in our respiration, thus affecting sleep. However, the good news is that the human body is very adaptable and it quickly adjusts to this high altitude.
Sleep vs food
You are more likely to die from sleep deprivation than food deprivation. The average human can go without food (just water) for about 1-2 months. It isn’t clear how long a human can go without sleep, though severe symptoms of sleep deprivation set in about 36 and the longest record was 11 days.
