Some you may know, others may surprise you
It’s a known fact that humans spend 1/3 of their life sleeping and yet the value of sleep quality and quantity is often not considered in our day to day lives. When last did your doctor/ physician/health practitioner ask about your sleep?
Here are some interesting facts about sleep:
A study found that 12% of people dream entirely in black and white
The record for the longest period without sleep is 11 days – this was set by a Californian student named Randy Gardner in 1964
It’s not uncommon for deaf people to use sign language in their sleep
It’s thought that up to 15% of the population are sleepwalkers
1 in 4 married couples sleep in separate beds
Sleep deprivation will kill you more quickly than food deprivation
Amnesty International lists sleep deprivation as a form of torture
Within 5 minutes of waking up, 50% of your dream is forgotten
Tolerance for pain is reduced by sleep deprivation
High earners (R1, 000,000.00 pa) get the best sleep
Snoring is a primary cause of sleep disruption
People can take cat naps with their eyes open without even knowing it
People who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to eat more because of their leptin levels (appetite-regulating hormone) dropping, promoting appetite increase
And in the animal kingdom
Scientists don’t know if animals dream during REM sleep, as humans do
Two thirds of a cat’s life is spent asleep
A giraffe only needs 1.9 hours of sleep a day, whereas a brown bat needs 19.9 hours a day
Otter families hold hands whilst sleeping to avoid drifting apart
Sleep is important to our health and general well-being and lack of sleep or poor quality of sleep can have serious medical and social implications.
If sleep is a concern, always consult a medical practitioner.