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> ***Sleep Well for Health & Safety***
>
> Sleep is a natural part of every individual's life. We spend about
> one-third of our lives asleep. Nonetheless, people generally know
> little about the importance of this essential activity. Sleep is not
> just something to fill time when a person is inactive. Sleep is a
> required activity, not an option. We all recognize and feel the need
> to sleep. After sleeping, we recognize changes that have occurred, as
> we feel rested and more alert. Sleep actually appears to be required
> for survival. Rats deprived of sleep will die within two to three
> weeks, a time frame similar to death due to starvation.
>
> It is not normal for a person to be sleepy at times when he or she
> expects to be awake. Problem sleepiness may be associated with
> difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, loss of energy, fatigue,
> lethargy, and emotional instability. Problem with sleepiness is common
> and has serious consequences, such as drowsy driving or workplace
> accidents and errors. Lifestyle factors and undiagnosed or untreated
> sleep disorders can cause problem sleepiness. Lifestyle factors
> include not getting enough sleep, having an irregular sleep schedule,
> and using alcohol or certain medications. Of the more than 70 known
> sleep disorders, the most common are **obstructive sleep apnea**,
> **insomnia**, **narcolepsy**, and **restless legs syndrome**. Large
> numbers of individuals suffering from these sleep disorders are
> unaware of---and have not been diagnosed or treated for---their
> disorder.
>
> *Problem sleepiness may be associated with difficulty concentrating,
> memory lapses, loss of energy, fatigue, lethargy, and emotional
> instability.*
>
> Problem sleepiness can be deadly. Approximately 100,000 automobile
> crashes each year result from drivers who were "asleep at the wheel."
> In a survey of drivers in New York State, approximately 25 percent
> reported they had fallen asleep at the wheel at some time. In addition
> to the high risk of automobile crashes, problem sleepiness can cause
> difficulties with learning, memory, thinking, and feelings, which may
> lead to poor work performance and difficulty with relationships.
> Furthermore, problem sleepiness leads to errors and accidents in the
> workplace.
>
> **[Misconceptions about Sleep]{.underline}**

1.  **Sleep is time for the body in general and the brain specifically
    to shut down for rest.**

> Sleep is an active process! There is no evidence that any major organ
> or regulatory system in the body shuts down during sleep. Some brain
> activity increases dramatically. Also, the endocrine system increases
> secretion of certain hormones during sleep. In REM (rapid eye
> movement) sleep, many parts of the brain are as active as at any time
> when awake.

2.  **Getting just one hour less sleep per night than needed will not
    have any effect on daytime functioning.**

> When daily sleep is less than an individual needs, a *sleep debt*
> develops. Even relatively modest daily reductions in sleep time (for
> example, one hour) can add up across days to cause a sleep debt. If
> the debt becomes too great, it can lead to problem sleepiness.
> Although the individual may not realize his or her sleepiness, the
> sleep debt can have powerful effects on daytime performance, thinking
> and mood.

3.  **The body adjusts quickly to different sleep schedules.**

> The biological clock that times and controls a person's sleep/wake
> cycle will attempt to function according to a normal day/night
> schedule even when that person tries to change it. Those who work
> night shifts naturally feel sleepy when nighttime comes. A similar
> feeling that occurs during travel is known as jet lag. This conflict,
> set up by trying to b active during the brain's biological nighttime,
> leads to a decrease in cognitive and motor skills. These problems may
> be reduced by sleeping in a dark, quite room, getting exposure to
> bright light at the right time, and altering eating and exercise
> patterns.

4.  **People need less sleep as they grow older.**

> Older people don't need less sleep, but they often get less sleep.
> That's because the ability to sleep for long periods of time and to
> get into the deep, restful stages of sleep decreases with age. Many
> older people have more fragile sleep and are more easily disturbed by
> light, noise and pain than when younger.

5.  **A *good night's sleep* can cure problems with excessive daytime
    sleepiness.**

> ![](media/image2.png){width="3.959722222222222in"
> height="2.7916666666666665in"}Excessive daytime sleepiness can be
> associated with a sleep disorder or other medical condition. Sleep
> disorders, including sleep apnea (the absence of breathing during
> sleep), insomnia, and narcolepsy, may require behavioral,
> pharmacological, or even surgical intervention to relieve symptoms.
> Extra sleep may not eliminate daytime sleepiness that may be due to
> such disorders.