Interesting Facts About Sleep You May Not Know

I received the following article from Phil Paris the other day(cpapnation.com). It is very interesting and I am sharing it with you. It is related to my previous posting on why sleep is the foundation of good health and longevity. I could identify with items 4 and 7, validated by my own personal experiences. I have a number of relatives that are sleep walkers. My 2 cats, Batman and Robin take 16 hours nap every day.  Here's the article for your reading pleasure.       

"Sleep is one of life’s great mysteries. We spend about a third of our lives doing it, but we’re only just beginning to uncover the science behind our nightly snooze. From animals with bizarre sleep habits to human quirks like yawning, there’s a treasure trove of strange and fascinating facts about sleep. Here’s a look at some of the most mind-boggling sleep facts that might just make you see bedtime a little differently!

1. Dolphins Sleep with One Eye Open

Dolphins have evolved to sleep with half of their brain at a time! They close one eye while the other eye stays open, allowing them to keep an eye out for danger and maintain control over their breathing. 

2. Humans Yawn to Cool the Brain

Ever wonder why you can’t stop yawning when you’re tired? Contrary to popular belief, yawning isn’t just about increasing oxygen intake. Recent research suggests that yawning helps cool down the brain! When we yawn, we stretch our jaw, which increases blood flow to the brain, and the cool air we breathe in lowers the brain temperature slightly.

3. Some People Only Need 4 Hours of Sleep—Thanks to a Gene

While most of us need 7-8 hours to feel fully rested, a lucky few carry a rare genetic mutation that allows them to function perfectly well on just four hours of sleep! 

4. Sleepwalking: Your Brain’s Autopilot Mode

Sleepwalking, or somnambulism, is a phenomenon where a person can perform complex activities like walking, talking, and even cooking while still asleep. During sleepwalking episodes, certain parts of the brain, including those responsible for movement, are active while other parts, particularly those involved in judgment and memory, remain asleep. 

5. You Forget 90% of Your Dreams Within Minutes

Have you ever woken up with a dream fresh in your mind, only to forget it moments later? You’re not alone! Research shows that most people forget up to 90% of their dreams within the first few minutes of waking. This is because our brains don’t store dreams as memories in the same way they store waking experiences. 

6. Teenagers Really Do Need More Sleep

It’s not just an excuse! Teenagers experience a shift in their circadian rhythms (the body’s internal clock), which causes them to feel tired later at night and to need more sleep overall. This shift makes early school hours particularly challenging for teens, who often aren’t fully alert until later in the morning. 

7. Why Are Cats Such Great Nappers?

If you’ve ever owned a cat, you know how much they love to sleep. Cats spend around 16 hours a day snoozing, which might seem excessive, but it’s actually a survival mechanism. In the wild, felines are predators that need to conserve energy for hunting. By sleeping for long stretches, they store up the energy required for those high-energy bursts of activity. 

8. Bizarre Sleep: Giraffes and Elephants Sleep Standing Up

Giraffes and elephants are among the animals that can sleep while standing, though they do occasionally lie down. This adaptation helps them stay alert to predators, as it’s easier to take off running from a standing position. Giraffes, in particular, need very little sleep compared to other animals, snoozing for only about 30 minutes to two hours a day in short intervals.

9. “Sleep Drunkenness” is a Real Thing

Ever wake up feeling completely disoriented, as if you’ve been wrenched from a deep sleep? This sensation, called “sleep drunkenness” or sleep inertia, can occur when you’re woken up from a deep stage of sleep, such as REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. 

10. Lucid Dreaming: When You Control the Dream

Lucid dreaming is a state where a person becomes aware they’re dreaming and may even be able to control aspects of the dream. Some people practice techniques to induce lucid dreaming and use it as a form of entertainment, therapy, or problem-solving.

https://www.zzzquil.com/en-us/article/12-fun-facts-about-sleep

Lastly, Here's a photo of my bougainvillea in bloom and the one camelia flower in my Patio.

 Here's the completed side entrance to the Fairmont Building. Looks Spacious and less clutter!