Ost of What We Know About Sleep Has Only Been Discovered in The Past 25 Years

ost of what we know about sleep has only been discovered
in the past 25 years, but it’s fair to say we’ve made up for it.
Scientists and researchers all over the globe are learning
more and more about sleep every day (and night), teaching
us things we never even dreamed about this process
(excuse the pun). We’ve put together a list of 22 of the most
interesting and surprising facts about sleep that you may
not know.
The facts about sleep

1. 12% of people dream entirely in black and white
Before colour television was introduced, only 15% of people dreamt in colour whilst older
people dream in black and white more often than younger people. It’s all here in this
study.
Related: Does Eating Cheese Before Bedtime Really Give You Nightmares?
2. Two thirds of a cat’s life is spent asleep

This will come as no surprise to most cat owners. Usually found on your favourite seat or
computer keyboard.
3. A giraffe only needs 1.9 hours of sleep a day, whereas a brown bat needs
19.9 hours a day
See about sleep and other animalshere, including ferrets, cheetahs and three-toed sloths.
4. Humans spend 1/3 of their life sleeping

This obviously differs depending on the age of the human, but on average it’s around a
third, which is quite a lot when you think about it.
Related: How Do Sleeping Patterns Affect Your Sport?
5. The record for the longest period without sleep is 11 days

This was set by a Californian student named Randy Gardner in 1964. This is definitely not
recommended, however, as Randy experienced extreme sleep deprivation and others have
died staying awake for this long.
6. It’s not uncommon for deaf people to use sign language in their sleep
There are many instances where people have reported their deaf partners or children using
sign language in their sleep.
7. Dysania is the state of finding it hard to get out of bed in the morning
We’ve all no doubt found it tricky getting out of bed every now and again, but those
suffering from Dysania find it particularly difficult. It is most likely to be a form of Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome.
8. Parasomnia is a term that refers to unnatural movements during your sleep

Some people have even committed crime due to parasomnia, including sleep driving and
even murder.
9. The sensation of falling when half asleep and jerking yourself awake is
called ‘hypnic jerks’
No-one is totally sure why hypnic jerks occur but they are deemed to be perfectly healthy.
However, they may be increased by anxiety, caffeine or physical activity close to bedtime.
They are more frequent in young people and decrease as we get older.
10. It’s thought that up to 15% of the population are sleepwalkers

This is according to the National Sleep Foundation. It’s also a myth that you shouldn’t
wake someone who is sleepwalking.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Sleeping Positions for Couples [Infographic]
11. 1 in 4 married couples sleep in separate beds

Dr Sarah Brewer told us why this might actually be a good thing.
12. Sleep deprivation will kill you more quickly than food deprivation
Neither are good for you, obviously, but this article claims that sleep is actually more
important than food in the short term.
13. Those born blind experience dreams involving things such as emotion,
sound and smell rather than sight
This is a topic that is really quite interesting and the timing of the blindness in a person’s life
may impact what that person dreams about. There’s plenty more on this here.
14. Within 5 minutes of waking up, 50% of your dream is forgotten

After an additional 5 minutes, 90% of recollection is gone. Sigmund Freud believed this was
because dreams represent our repressed thoughts and so our brain wants to get rid of
them quickly. However, it’s much more likely due to our brains simply being used much
more as soon as we’re awake and so we forget much of what we’ve dreamed about.
15. Pain tolerance is reduced by sleep deprivation

This study suggests that cutting a person’s sleep in half dramatically reduces pain
threshold although it’s not 100% clear why.
16. 41% of the British population sleep in the foetal position

This is from research done by Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the Sleep Assessment
and Advisory Service, though 5 other sleeping positions have been identified: the log,
yearner, starfish, soldier and free faller.
17. Sleep experts have discovered a direct link between people’s favourite
sleeping positions and their personalities
This is also according to Professor Idzikowski, suggesting that those who sleep in the foetal
position “may appear tough but are actually sensitive souls right to their core.” See what
the Professor says about the other sleep positions.
18. Ideally, falling asleep at night should take you 10-15 minutes
If it takes you less than five minutes, chances are you are sleep deprived.
19. Humans are the only mammals that willingly delay sleep
How nice it must be to just be able to go to sleep whenever and wherever you are!
20. Sleeping on your front can aid digestion

Hands should apparently be positioned above the pillow so you’re in a ‘freefall’ position,
whilst laying on your left side can apparently help reduce heartburn.
21. High earners (£65 – £75,000) get the best sleep

This comes from a report by The Sleep Council. I would certainly sleep better if I earned
that much money!
22. Fear is said not to be the main emotion in nightmares

Instead, researchers have found that it’s most often feelings of sadness, guilt and
confusion.
Photo Credit: Sarah Ross photography via Compfight cc
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ost of what we know about sleep has only been discovered

The facts about sleep

2. Two thirds of a cat’s life is spent asleep

4. Humans spend 1/3 of their life sleeping

5. The record for the longest period without sleep is 11 days

8. Parasomnia is a term that refers to unnatural movements during your sleep

10. It’s thought that up to 15% of the population are sleepwalkers

11. 1 in 4 married couples sleep in separate beds

14. Within 5 minutes of waking up, 50% of your dream is forgotten

15. Pain tolerance is reduced by sleep deprivation

16. 41% of the British population sleep in the foetal position

20. Sleeping on your front can aid digestion

21. High earners (£65 – £75,000) get the best sleep

22. Fear is said not to be the main emotion in nightmares

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