Psychology: Sleeping
Sleep Deprivation / Sleep Loss - Being prevented from getting the desired or needed amounts of sleep - Typically causes trembling hands, dropping eyelids, inattention, irritability, staring, increase pain sensitivity and general discomfort (Doran, Van Dongen and Dinges, 2001) - If you lose just one hour of sleep at night, it can affect your mood, memory, ability to pay attention and even your health (Mass, 1999) Normal range of sleep - Majority of us sleep on a 7 to 8 hour per night schedule Sleep hormone - A sleep-promoting substance found in the brain and spinal cord Beta Waves - Small, fast brain waves associated with being awake and alert Alpha waves - Large, slow brain waves associated with relaxation and falling asleep; also occur when you are relaxed and allow your thoughts to drift Non-REM sleep function - Increases after physical exertion and may help us recover from body fatigue REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement sleep) - Day-time stress tends to increase