Count Some Sheep: Go to Sleep - Ammie

 Count Some Sheep: Go to Sleep

By Ammie

  Every time after school you would throw yourself on the bed. The sleep will wash out the tiredness of the day from your brain. Have you ever wondered about the daily action of sleep? Sleeping gives you more energy and it will make you less tired. It can also help you focus and help you concentrate on something better. Besides that, sleeping will make you healthy especially for the brain. Getting enough sleep prevents sickness, gives your brain a break, and gives you more energy.

 First of all, not getting enough sleep may cause sickness. “Sleep deprivation will kill you more quickly than food deprivation” (Thomson). This means that if you have a lack of sleep, it will kill you more quickly than the lack of food. Because sleep deprivation will kill you in less than 11 days and food deprivation will kill you in at least 21 days as long as you have water (Silver). “The record for the longest period without sleep is 11 days. This was set by a Californian student named Randy Gardner in 1964. This is definitely not recommended, however, as Randy experienced extreme sleep deprivation and others have died staying awake for too long (Thompson). Sleeping for busy people can help them “stave off disease” (Foley). It helps them become healthy. “Lack of sleep has been linked to a higher risk for certain diseases and medical conditions. These include obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, poor mental health, and early death” (Foley). This quote tells us that lack of sleep can cause different kinds of sickness and it will make you unhealthy. It can also cause early death so if you want to keep healthy and live a life longer you must have enough sleep. Sleeping will let people be healthy.

 Also, sleep is important for brain function, so it will be better to stay on focus and concentrate. “Sleep is important for…concentration, productivity, and performance. All of these are negatively affected by sleep deprivation” (Leech). People should care about their brain health so that they don’t have to worry about different kinds of sickness or having memory problems. “Without enough sleep, the brain cannot function properly. This can impair your abilities to concentrate, think clearly, and process memories” (Foley). This is important because many people now have hard work, and everyone should concentrate when they are working. As the quote said, “the brain cannot function properly” if people do not get enough sleep; people will not be able to concentrate and work on the things they are doing. “An insufficient amount of sleep can lead to serious repercussions. Some studies have shown sleep deprivation leaves people vulnerable to attention lapses, reduced cognition, delayed reactions, and mood shifts” (Foley). So, if you don’t have enough sleep many people will be too tired to do anything hard. It will also cause sickness to the brain; the brain is not working properly, and it is wanting to sleep. For example, it was the end of winter break; I had just returned from my trip at midnight, so I did not go to sleep until 1am. I had to wake up at 7am. I felt disappointed and unable to focus. That day I was not concentrating very good, and I was even sent home for a cold. Sleeping is important for people who are working long hours because sleeping is resting for the brain.

 Last but not least, you will get energy after a good sleep. Many people feel sleepy in class or in work. If you do, you should get some sleep. “Sleep is an essential function¹ that allows your body and mind to recharge, leaving you refreshed and alert when you wake up” (Foley). This means that sleeping is taking a break for your body and mind after working a long time. Sleeping can refresh your body and make you ready for the day. Sleeping is important for you to concentrate better when you are working hard. I have a classmate who sleeps at 12 o’clock at night. He is always wanting to doze off in class. He is wanting to sleep during class because he did not sleep well the day before. It would be better for him if he slept earlier each night so he will not be very tired at school. Healthy sleep can give you more energy when you need it; it also allows you to be refreshed.

 Many people want to sleep late at night because they have work to do. If people sleep late at night, they will have a hard time falling asleep because the best time to fall asleep is 10 o’clock (Harris). Sleeping at 10 o’clock is the best time to let your mind have a break. It is also the best time because when we sleep at 10 o’clock we can wake up on time the next day. I sleep at 10 o’clock each night and wake up at 7 o’clock each day. The nine hours of sleep is the minimum amount of sleep for my age. Newborn babies need the whole day for sleeping. Teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep. This chart shows the amount of time each age group needs to sleep. “If you regularly have problems getting to sleep at night, wake up feeling exhausted, or feel sleepy during the day, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder” (Smith, M.A., et al). So, if you have sleep disorder you must go to see a doctor immediately, or it will cause more sickness or maybe death.

 

(Johnson)

         These are the reasons why getting enough sleep is important for everyone; it keeps you healthy, it is refreshing for your brain, and it gives you more energy. So next time, please make sure you have plenty of sleeping. Why won’t you bother to sleep for an hour more just to be healthier? “Being awake for 16 hours straight decreases your performance as much as if your blood alcohol level were .05% (the legal limit is .08%)” (Cleveland Clinic). Protect your brain, and maybe your life, by sleeping 8 hours every night.

 

 Works Cited

 

Cleveland Clinic. “22 Facts about Sleep That Will Surprise You.” Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, 1 Mar. 2021, health.clevelandclinic.org/22-facts-about-sleep-that-will-surprise-you/. Accessed 21 Sept. 2021.

Foley, Logan. “Why Do We Need Sleep?” Sleep Foundation, 11 Sept. 2020, www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/why-do-we-need-sleep#:~:text=Sleep%20is%20an%20essential%20function.

Harris, Phillip. Lecture About Sleep. Grade 4 Teacher at Swis Elementary School. Shen Zhen, China. 2020.

Johnson, Jon. “What Are the Best Times to Sleep and Wake Up?” Www.medicalnewstoday.com, Medical News Today, 5 May 2020, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/best-time-to-sleep-and-wake-up#by-age. Accessed 27 Sept. 2021.

Leech, Joe. “10 Reasons Why Good Sleep Is Important.” Healthline, Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company, 24 Feb. 2020, www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-reasons-why-good-sleep-is-important#3.-Good-sleep-can-improve-concentration-and-productivity. Accessed 7 Sept. 2021.

Silver, Natalie. “How Long Can You Live without Food?” Healthline, Healthline Media, 17 Jan. 2018, www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/how-long-can-you-live-without-food.

Smith M.A., Melinda, et al. “Sleep Disorders and Problems.” HelpGuide.org, HelpGuideOrg International, 10 Jan. 2019, www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/sleep-disorders-and-problems.htm. Accessed 27 Sept. 2021.

Thomson, Chris. “The Sleep Matters Club.” The Sleep Matters Club, The Sleep Matters Club, 25 Oct. 2018, www.dreams.co.uk/sleep-matters-club/25-facts-about-sleep/. Accessed 7 Sept. 2021.