Surprising Facts On Sleep

Ah, sleep. We all spend about a third of our lives sleeping but know precious little about it.

* Did you know that 75% of us dream in color? That number grew from 15% after color television became common.

* Single people report more problems with insomnia than married or partnered people do.

* If you're falling asleep at night within five minutes of your head hitting the pillow, this could be a sign of sleep deprivation. Ideally, it should take 10-15 minutes to go from yawning to snoozing.

* Sleepwalking is experienced by at least one in ten people.

* If you're trying to remember your dreams upon awakening, jot them down quickly. You'll only remember half of them after you've been up for five minutes.

* The reason isn't clearly understood, but people sleep better during the new moon than the full moon.

* Humans are the only mammals that will put off going to sleep.

* Tiredness is cyclical, peaking at 2 p.pm. and 2 a.m.

* Insomnia isn't measured by the hours of sleep obtained in a night, but rather how severely the amount of sleep (or lack thereof) affects one's daily quality of life.

* The human body never adjusts to second and third shift hours. Those who work these hours are more susceptible to gastrointestinal and cardiological issues.

* Regular exercise leads to healthier sleep patterns. If you only work out sporadically, it can actually impede your ability to get a good night's sleep.

* According to the National Sleep Foundation, 36% of people get behind the wheel drowsy or fall asleep while they are driving.

* Those who are sleep-deprived usually have bigger appetites than people who aren't. That's because the appetite-regulating hormone leptin drops off which leads to an increase in hunger.

* Fewer car accidents occur when Daylight Savings ends, thanks to that extra hour of shut-eye.

How to Sleep Longer and Better

There are numerous steps one can take to ensure adequate rest and rejuvenation. Having a conducive environment for sleep is crucial. This includes a bed that provides proper support as well as comfort. The perfect mattress can mean the difference between tossing and turning or sleeping like a baby.

Aside from a comfortable bed with adequate support, it's essential to maintain a sleep-friendly ambiance in the bedroom. Keep your bed for sleep and sex only. Avoid working in bed or watching T.V.

No internet! Surfing the web is now the number one reason people are losing sleep. Screen time is not appropriate for sleep time.

Keep your sleeping space cool and dark. Most people find that it's far easier to drift off in a room that isn't too warm or too bright.

Get on a sleep schedule. Hitting the hay and rising and shining the same time every day help promote restful sleep all night, every night.

Author Bio: Paige Jirsa- I work with Top10.Today, a shopping comparison site, where we strive to help consumers find the best quality and priced products.