We spend nearly 1/3 of our life sleeping, but this doesn’t mean we’re wasting time! Adequate sleep is essential for our health and allows us to recover the energy consumed during the day.
But when we fall asleep, we don’t hibernate until the next morning!
On the contrary, our body continues to work for us and sometimes experiences fascinating phenomena without us noticing at all. Let’s check together what happens during sleep.
1. Blood pressure decreases
While we sleep, and particularly during the deepest phase of sleep, blood and heart pressure drop.
2. We “cool down”
Body temperature falls, reaching its minimum peak around 3:00 in the morning. This happens to allow us to save calories during sleep. And did you know that our body records its maximum temperature around 4:00 p.m.?
3. We select information
During the REM phase, our brain consolidates the information learned during the day in its long-term memory and selects what it considers to be most important.
4.… We grow!
Yes, while we sleep, our body releases the growth hormone called GH, which is essential for children and, mainly, for the development of their bones and muscles. This hormone is also necessary for adults as it promotes tissue regeneration.
5. We wake up about 15 times
That’s right! In particular, this happens between the various sleep phases. We’re actually talking about “short awakenings” that we usually don’t remember.
6. We talk in our sleep
Apparently, about 5% of the population pronounces perfectly understandable words and even entire sentences. However, most of the time, we don’t notice what has happened. Stress and tiredness favor “overnight chatter”.
7. We keep young
While we sleep, the production of collagen increases. This protein strengthens blood vessels, gives elasticity to the skin, and regenerates every single cell in our body. Find out more about what happens to your skin during sleep!
8. Our immune system strengthens
Sleep represents a sort of “natural medicine” as it enhances the production of cytokines, which are essential elements that strengthen our immune system. Curious to find out more?