Compared with Americans living 100 years ago, we sleep an average of 1.5 fewer hours a night, he says. And those who are chronically sleep-deprived can be completely unaware of the cause of their daytime fatigue. They would be wrong. The mind actually is extremely active during sleep and several muscles such as the heart and diaphragm, fortunately, do not punch out for eight hours a day. But a variety of important biological processes do go on during sleep, such as the release of important hormones and a restoration of the immune system.
Sleep also helps renew mental and emotional balance.
In addition, it is believed that sleep is crucial to the learning and memory process by providing a brain state that allows neurons to establish new connections and put memories in long-term storage. Before her diagnosis, Parrott had the signs of a sleep disorder but did not realize she had a problem. It never crossed my mind. I didn't think my snoring and tiredness added up to a sleeping disorder. A nasal obstruction led to occasional breathing difficulties, but she also had apnea, which contributed to her daytime sleepiness.