We spend up to a quarter, sometimes a third, of our lives sleeping. But there's still so little we know about the mechanism that takes up such a huge part of our lives. Here are a few facts to get you better acquainted with your nightly visitor, the sandman. |
1. Sleep deprivation affects the young more than the old. |
According to studies, the energy of youth requires a lot of sleep too, and people of ages 18-24 are more strongly affected by a lack of sleep than older people are. |
2. Even one hour more of sleep can help prevent traffic accidents. |
We're all familiar with that time of year when we set our clocks to one hour earlier and get to sleep one more hour. Statistics show that the day after this happens, there is a marked decrease in traffic accidents. The lesson seems to be - sleep well and be rested before driving, because it matters. |
3. Victorians were lazier. |
During the Victorian era there was no artificial lighting like today, and so people used to sleep about 10 hours a night, every night. |
4. Women need an hour more. |
Research shows that women need on average at least one hour more of sleep than men do. So next time she complains about her sleep guys, remember she needs more than you. |
|
5. Teens need even more sleep |
Teens actually need about 10 hours of sleep a night, compared to only 6-7 hours for adults. |
6. Sleep apnea is VERY common |
About 10% of people suffer from sleep apnea, which means they stop breathing for a very short time (a few seconds). This may happen hundreds of times in one night and is one of the major causes of snoring. It's also bad for the heart so if you have it, you should have it checked out. |
7. Half-brained animals |
Some animals, such as ducks and dolphins, need to stay awake all the time. They've found a way around going to sleep by turning half their brains off and entering a half-asleep, half-awake state. |
8. Heat and insomnia are closely linked |
You may have noticed it's hard to fall asleep when you're hot. That is because the body temperature is closely linked to the sleep-wake cycle, and may interfere with it if it's too high. |
9. Any amount of light may wake you |
Light triggers 'wake' chemicals in your brain that try to wake you up for a 'new day', for some people, this mechanism is very sensitive and so even a little light could wake them up without them knowing why. |
10. Sleep deprivation is a lot like being drunk |
Research shows that going 17 hours without sleeping leads to your performance as a driver equivalent to that of a driver with a 0.05% blood alcohol level. |
11. Your brain grows during REM sleep |
REM sleep causes more neurons to bind in your brain and thus increases its mass. |
12. Insomnia can have some scary results. |
The longest period without sleep that has been recorded is 18 days, 21 hours and 40 minutes. The record holder reported hallucinations, paranoia, blurred vision, slurred speech, as well as memory and concentration lapses. |
This is How You Can Stop Your Partner's Snores
Does your partner keep you awake at night with their annoying snoring? If the answer is yes, this guide is just what you're after.
14 Methods to Wake Up in the Morning Feeling Great!
14 things you can do to make sure you wake up energized and feeling well each morning.
11 Grease Removal Tips You Wish You Knew Before!
Grease stains can be notoriously difficult to remove, but that will be a thing of the past if you use these 11 fantastic grease-removal methods.
A Lack of Sleep Can Cause These Detrimental Effects
We all know sleep is important. But what ACTUALLY happens in the body when we don't sleep?
If You Struggle to Sleep, Ask Yourself These 9 Questions!
If you're having trouble getting to sleep each night, you should ask yourself these 9 important questions.
These Sleep Secrets Are Only Known to a Few...
What are the things that will help make your sleep better?
Exploring the Fascinating History of Popcorn!
exploring the history and evolution of this irresistible snack - popcorn!
The 7 Biggest Mistakes People Make With Their Wills
Make sure your heirs get what you want them to get by not making these mistakes.
There's a Secret Trick to Understanding Chinese...
This brilliant lecture will teach you the basics of Chinese
Who Needs a Professional Cleaner With These Tips?
These stubborn stains can easily be removed with a little guidance.
What Happens to Your Breasts When You Don't Wear a Bra
What happens when you don't wear a bra? Here are 8 health benefits of not wearing a bra you may not know about.
Locked Your Keys inside Your Car? You Need This Hack!
If you've locked yourself out of your car, this neat trick will help you solve your problem.
A Coffee Filter Can Be the Most Helpful Item in the House...
Don't let their name fool you - coffee filters are some of the most useful things you can have around the house!
16 Extraordinary Table Salt Uses That No One Knows About
Salt is one of nature's most vital things, but did you know how useful it really can be? Here are 16 benefits of using salt around the house.
Shocking! How Thieves Steal Card Details at the ATM
Take note of some of the most common ways thieves will try to steal your credit card details.
I Never Knew Scarves Could Be Tied in This Many Ways!
25 creative ways to tie a scarf in less than 5 minutes
Impress Your Friends and Family with These 12 Magic Tricks
Check out these 12 simple yet astonishing magic tricks that require nothing but a couple of packs of cards and some common household items.
WAIT! Don't Throw Out Your Old Food Just Yet...
Whether you're a penny-pincher or just don't like wasting food, these 16 tips will show you what you can do with food you used to throw away.
9 Ingredients It's Best to Avoid When Grocery Shopping
Stay healthy by making sure that these 9 ingredients are not part of the food you buy.
The Best Way to Clean Your Oven Racks
Let's dive into this clever solution that is set to make your kitchen life a lot easier!
Keep Your House Smelling Amazing with These DIY Tips
These are some of the best and cheapest things you can do to make any part of your home smell nice and welcoming.
Tip: It Is Possible to Peel an Orange in a Few Seconds
Peel oranges in just a few seconds and in the most effective method possible.
Kitchen Tips: How Long You Can Keep Leftovers?
It’s crucial to know how long different leftover foods can last in your fridge, and when it’s time to part ways with them for your own safety and health
You Won't Be Old AND Vulnerable After Reading This
Just because you're elderly, it doesn't mean that you're incapable of defending yourself. Read this complete guide to find out exactly what you should do.
Make Your Daily Life Easier with These Great Home Tips!
Here are 22 easy to apply tricks will make your life hassle free. Some of them are so simple you’ll wonder why you didn't think of them first.
DIY: Make Your Own Wall Stencil in 8 Easy Steps
Get a designer look for half the price. This easy DIY guide will show you how to make a beautiful wall stencil in 8 easy steps.
Discover How to Use Turmeric to Remove Unwanted Hair
Turmeric is a wonderful spice from India that has a whole myriad of different applications. Here's how to make 5 turmeric-based masks for unwanted hair removal.
Did You Know You Shouldn't Store These Foods in the Fridge?
Contrary to popular belief, these 10 foods shouldn't be stored in the refrigerator for a variety of reasons. Read this post to find out more.
DIY Secrets: Make Your Own, Home-Made Ziploc Bags!
This video will teach you how to make your own home-made Ziploc bags.
I Never Imagined That I Could Use Cucumbers in These Ways
Take a look at the video below and see how cucumbers can help save you some money in 10 different ways.
Avoid Spending Extra Cash on these Unnecessary Upgrades!
To make sure you don't have buyer's remorse after making a big electrical appliance purchase, avoid these upgrades!
The Art of Persuasion: How to Be More Convincing
Learn the basics to becoming a more verbally persuasive person.
If You Wear These Shoes Often, You Are Damaging Your Feet
Wearing these shoes often can damage your feet!
6 Home Ingredients You Can Use to Clean Your Carpet
Got a carpet stain? Forget the dry-cleaners, try one of these methods instead.
Bring Positive Energy to Your Home With These Lucky Plants
Feng shui experts say that these plants will bring good luck and positive energy to your home.
Psst! Here Are Some Clothes' Tips Few Know About...
These tips will allow you to keep your clothes in as good a condition as new!
Eye Wrinkles Can Be Smoothed. Just Use These Methods...
Although they are often called "laugh lines," eye-wrinkles don't make us smile or laugh. With these 10 natural remedies, you can easily eliminate them.
This is the Right Way to Load a Dishwasher For Best Results
What's the best way to load your dishwasher? Find out in this guide.
Learn This Amazing Two-Step Fix For Scratched Furniture
You can give your scratched furniture a whole new lease of life by learning this super-easy two-step solution. Take a look.
10 Surprising Grocery Products You Didn't Know You Can DIY
Did you know you could also DIY products like butter, mustard, and deodorants? Learn these useful recipes to reduce the load of your grocery shopping!
Relieve Itching With These 7 Useful Natural Tips
Here's a look at a few great home remedies that can work wonders to calm itchy skin.
Fold a Napkin Into a Rose for a Unique Table Setting
Learn to set a table with napkin folding, giving a unique touch to your dinner table.
Re-purpose Your Old Clay Pots Into Something Special!
Clay pots are rather mundane things if there isn't something quite spectacular growing out of them, but you can use them to make something amazing...
Did You Know Vinegar Has a Whole Range of Different Uses?
Watching this video will make you love vinegar more than you ever did before - it has loads of different uses around the house.
8 Best 'Cheesy' Tips For Your Home Cheese!
Cheese is a must in any kitchen, but did you know these eight cheese life hacks?
20 Incredibly Useful Matchbox Tips from a Century Ago
Did you know that matchboxes used to contain a bit of handy advice? Here are 20 tips from our ancestors.
10 Foods that Naturally Whiten Your Teeth
There's nothing like a pearly white smile and healthy teeth, and with these 10 wonderful foods, you can achieve these without the need for harsh chemicals!