Eli5: Why is laying down with your eyes closed & unmoving not nearly as restful as actually sleeping?
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You need REM(rapid eye movement) sleep, in this state you’re actually sleeping in the restful sense. Power naps are less than 20 mins because then you go into REM sleep and your body hates REM interruption so will try and keep you asleep longer. Also you’ll notice if you’re forced to wake up in the middle of a dream your body will encourage you to keep sleeping or if you get up you feel crappy for a while after waking
Sleeping is more than just “laying down and closing your eyes”. There’s a lot going on in your brain and body when you are actually asleep, which also explains why passing out from being intoxicating is also not “restful”. Your brain and body need to actually reach a sleep state for you to get the benefits, not just mimic some of the “symptoms” of sleeping
Sleep is active process, and much more than just rem sleep. Sleep has phases and stages during which things happen in your mind and body.
Also sleep is not the opposite of being awake. They go hand in hand as a part if a bigger circadian rhythm. Sleeping at time your body is not used to, isn’t as refreshing, because your whole body, from blood levels, to hormones and neurological functions happen in a certain way throughout the day. They control when you feel hungry, you feel awake, you feel tired and when you can sleep.
The different stages of sleep do different things to you, and we can measure these events. From body temperature, to blood pressure and heart rate, and the complex things that happen in your brain. You need all the stages, not just rem, to feel rested. However waking up during a wrong stage can make you feel physically sick and confused.
If you are going to take a nap. Dont sleep so long that you to go in to deeper stages, or you will feel worse. 10-20 minutes max. Or alternatively the sleep long enough to go through phases, which range from hour to few hours. Contrary to popular belief, the stage of sleep during the night are not equal. The first cycle is short, next longer, and the last is the longest. How long they are overall and when they happen is totally unique to each individual. Some can go through all of them in 5 hours, others might need 9. How long and when they happen also changes as you grow older. Which is why people’s sleep patters changes as they grow as kids, then as adults and elderly people they can be totally messed up which will affect their health. So sleepy and tired elders who complain that they can’t sleep are telling the truth. They can’t sleep properly.
Because you’re not.. asleep.?
Ive always heard of the magical 20min power nap but never understood how to do it. Is it lay down, eyes closed for 20 mins or is it 20mins of actual unconsciousness? If the latter, how do people coordinate that and avoid oversleeping?
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