Sleep & Relaxation Wellness Hub

Sleep is a state of behaviour in which our consciousness shifts (which is why we sometimes dream) and our brain activity, heart rate, breathing and temperature changes.

Did you know? The average person spends a third of their lives asleep! So, it’s quite important that you make the most of it.

When we hit the sheets and start our journey into the land of nod our bodies enter the first of two main types of sleep: non-rapid eye movement (non-REM). This sleep stage takes the body from light sleep all the way into deep sleep, during which your brain waves start to slow down, breathing deepens and your body gets to work on its restorative processes.

Then, things start to get a little dreamy. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep – the dreaming stage - comes next, where your heart rate and breathing speeds up, blood pressure levels increase, and muscles get temporarily paralysed.

Did you know? Your circadian rhythm effects your sleep. The circadian rhythm is the brain’s way of aligning the body with the environment. In simple terms – it’s your body’s built-in clock.

Some people can experience some pretty strange things when they are asleep such as sleepwalking, dreaming the same dream, the sensation of falling and more. Whilst these may seem odd they are common in many people.

When we sleep, we allow our bodies to rest and recuperate. That cut on your leg from falling over? Most of the healing process will occur while we sleep. In fact, sleep has an effect on all of our body systems and tissues, including cell repair, muscles, the immune system and the cardiovascular system.

A good nights sleep is also important when it comes to relationships with your friends and family. Bad sleep could be ruining relationships.  A 2013 study by the University of California analysed the sleep diaries of 75 people in relationships and reported that those who slept poorly were more likely to argue the next day.