We spend 1/3 of our life time in sleeping. We sleep to get relaxation and to get rest. Many people struggle to get good sleep. They pray God for good sleep before going to bed everyday. They don't hesitate to have sleeping pills to get good sleep.

Sleeping is the natural phenomenon of all lives on the earth. After engaging in work during the day, we reach sleepy state in the night. Certain systems in the brain controls our sleep.

What happens while sleeping :

1.  While sleeping, our body and mind gets rest.

2. In sleepy state, all works of the body gets slower thus saving body's energy.

3. Heart beats, speed of breathing reduces. Also our body temperature reduces.

4. Muscles get relaxed.

5. In children, growth hormones are produced during sleepy state. These hormones help in body's growth.

6. While sleeping, our emotions, thoughts and imaginations will get a particular shape in the form of dreams.

7. After getting up,  you feel fresh and enthusiastic whole day.

Phases of Sleep :

We sleep in  two phases.

1. Non rapid eye movement phase : In this phase body  gets rest, muscles get loose, heart beat reduces. This phase stays for about 50 minutes.

2. Rapid eye movement phase : This is the phase in which we usually see or experience dreams.  People may experience dreams in the form of pictures, sound or touch. Many changes takes place in this phase. We can see movement of eyes. Heart beats and breathing speed increases. Body temperature may get increase or decrease.  Pulse rate changes. Some times whole body may move. As a reaction for dream one has seen,  he may talk, cry or get angry.

How much sleep is essential?

It depends on our age. Babies sleep more than 20 hours in a day. As child grows, sleeping duration reduces. Teenagers sleep about 8 hours. People of age group 30 -50 yrs sleep about 6 - 7 hours. and aged people 60 - 70 yrs sleep about only 4- 5 hours.

Why many people sleep less?

This is the common problem of many people. There are  many reasons for having less sleep.

===> Tensions and Problems

===> Emotions

===> Physical Pains like headache, stomach ache, fever, tooth ache etc etc.

===> Mental diseases

===> Surrounding Environment : We should keep our bedroom clean. Don't keep unnecessary things in bedroom. Keep be, bedsheets, pillows clean. Bedroom should get sufficient sir and light.

Why many people sleep more?

Many  times people sleep more than what actually required. We can see people sleeping everywhere.In classroom, in meeting, while driving, while waiting for bus. Laziness, boring, routine work, less interest in the work, more responsibilities etc could reasons for this. How to avoid such kind of situation? Here are few tips :

wipe your eyes and face with a wet cloth.

wash your face with cold water.

Drink water or tea.

Develop the habit of making notes in the class room or in the meeting.

Have walk and take a deep breathe.

Avoid doing routine work for long time. Change your work in between and change your body position.