I am sure you have had a family member, friend, or co-worker say, “You look tired. Did you sleep well last night?” You likely gave them a quick answer without much thought. Have you ever stopped later to reflect on what they saw that made them ask the question or your answer?
I am Dr. Leslie, a board-certified emergency medicine physician, and functional medicine specialist who helps busy professionals take control of their health through my concierge physician services, corporate speaking, and educational programs.
Let’s dive a little deeper and see what we can uncover!
There is a difference between sleep and rest; you may have gotten rest without experiencing a good night’s sleep.
What is sleep?
Sleep can best be defined as the natural, reversible periodic state of many living things that are marked by the absence of wakefulness and by the loss of consciousness of one’s surroundings, is accompanied by a typical body posture (such as lying down with the eyes closed), the occurrence of dreaming, and changes in brain activity and physiological functioning, is made up of cycles of non-REM sleep and REM sleep and is usually considered essential to the restoration and recovery of vital bodily and mental functions. That was an in-depth definition, but one I feel is important to gain an understanding of this subject which affects us all.
What is rest?
Rest is simply defined as a bodily state characterized by minimal function and metabolic activities.
How much sleep do you need?
The ideal amount of sleep for adults is 7 to 9 hours. The aim is also to spend those hours in an uninterrupted period allowing the effortless transition from one stage of sleep to the next. The more time spent in deeper sleep, or REM sleep, the more time we can increase cognitive processes such as learning, creativity, and emotional regulation. The “lighter” levels of sleep are also vital as they allow for physical restoration including repairing tissues, improving immune functions, hormone regulation, and consolidating memory.
Several factors influence the quality of sleep, ranging from environmental to sleep hygiene and lifestyle choices. These factors may be pivotal in determining your productivity during the day and how well you interact with your colleagues and family.
Make sure you get the quality and quantity of sleep your mind and body require. If you need help, contact Sharpe Medical Group for more information.
