WHY DO WE NEED SLEEP? Introduction to Psychology Why do we sleep and dream?
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Transcript of WHY DO WE NEED SLEEP? Introduction to Psychology Why do we sleep and dream?
WHY DO WE NEED SLEEP?Introduction to Psychology
Why do we sleep and dream?
GOOD NEWS!
“Psychologists have discovered a treatment that strengthens memory, increases concentration, boosts your mood, moderates hunger and obesity, fortifies the disease fighting immune system, and lessens the risk of fatal accidents.”
“Even better, the treatment feels good, it can be self-administered, the supplies are limitless, and it’s free.”
The answer is simple.
Psychology: A Discovery Experience by Stephen L. Franzoi
Focus Questions
•Why do we need sleep, anyway?
•What happens if we get too little sleep?
The purpose of sleep…
Sleep serves many purposes. Sleep
1. protects
2. rejuvenates and restores
3. makes memories
4. conserves energy
5. feeds creativity
6. plays a key role in brain development
7. plays a role in growth
8. cleans out the brain
Sleep Protects
• Sleep may be an adaptation that helped organisms survive.
Examples:
Grazing animals – sleep lessex. giraffes 2 hours/day
horses 3-4 hours/day
cats – 14 hours/day
bats/chipmunks – 20 hours/day
Restores & Rejuvenates
Sleep provides an opportunity for the body to repair itself.
-major restorative functions of the body like muscle growth & tissue repair occur mostly at night
Sleep deprivation over period of time leads to decreased functioning of immune system.
Makes memories
Sleep restores and rebuilds our memories of the day’s experiences.
Conserves energy
Sleep helps us conserve our energy resources.
Feeds creativity
Sleep feeds creative thinking.
Boosts our ability to think, learn, & problem solve
Increases our ability to make connections
May play a role in growth
During sleep, the pituitary gland releases a growth hormone.
As we age, we release less of this hormone & spend less time in deep sleep.
May play a role in brain development
Sleep plays a critical role in brain development of infants and children.
Spend 13 to 14 hours/day (morethan ½ in REM)
Brain plasticity (changes in the structure & organization of the brain) is connected to sleep.
in adults – link between sleepdeprivation & ability to learn/perform tasks
What happens if we don’t get enough sleep?
1. Academic Functioning DecreasesDifficulty studying, reduced productivityLower alertness & concentrationImpairs judgment; more difficult to make decisionsImpairs memory
2. Weight Gain sleep deprivation increases ghrelin (hunger arousing hormone) &
decreases leptin (hunger suppressing hormone) sleep deprivation increases cortisol (stress hormone) – stimulates body
to produce fatChildren & adults who sleep less are fatter than those who sleep more
3. Immune System Functioning Sleep deprivation suppresses immune cells that fight off infections &
cancerPeople who sleep 7-8 hours/night outlive sleep deprived people
4. Decreased Reaction TimeBiggest dangerDriving/Work that requires fast responses
20% of all crashes (1 million) due to driver fatigue (NHTSA)1/3 of all Americans report nodding off while driving
5. Mood ChangesIrritability, less tolerant, loss of sense of humorPuts in at greater risk for depression
People with insomnia 10x more likely to be depression; 17x more likely to have anxiety as well (Univ of Texas study 2005)
Why do we need sleep?• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwNMvUXTgDY