Yawn."Just five more minutes of sleep," you moan. But new research shows that returning to slumber makes you groggier. When you sleep, your brain goes through sleep cycles (periods of light or heavy sleep). Dozing for only a few minutes cuts a sleep cycle short. So you don't experience Rapid Eye Movement rapid eye movement n. Abbr. REM The rapid periodic jerky movement of the eyes during certain stages of the sleep cycle when dreaming takes place. (REM (REMarks) A programming language statement used for documentation. Rem statements are not executed by the compiler. They are created for people to read. Rem is also used in DOS batch files for comments as well as for disabling instructions. ), the period when you dream and your muscles relax. Result? Some scientists think this makes you more tired. Instead of slapping the snooze button, Edward Stepanski, a neuroscientist neuroscientist A researcher, often with an advanced degree–MD, MS, PhD–who investigates neural and brain-related phenomena at Chicago's Rush University Medical Center advises, "Set your clock for when you have to get up." Did You Know? * Sleep isn't just a period of rest. Some scientists think that the brain organizes memories and thoughts during sleep, which may be the cause of dreams. * In some animals, like dolphins and whales, only half of the brain is at rest during sleep. These underwater mammals The class Mammalia (the Mammals) is divided into two subclasses based on reproductive techniques: egg laying mammals (the Monotremes); and mammals which give live birth. The latter subclass is divided into two infraclasses: pouched mammals (the marsupials); and the placental mammals. need to stay somewhat conscious because they need to come to the surface to breathe when needed. Resources * This site is rich with information about sleep and sleep cycle: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/sleep.html * Learn about what happens during REM sleep REM sleep n. A stage in the normal sleep cycle during which dreams occur and the body undergoes various physiological changes, including rapid eye movement, loss of reflexes, and increased pulse rate and brain activity. at: www.sfn.org/content/Publications/Brain Briefings/rem_sleep.html |
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