The Power of Sleep – Part 1

Author: Enhance Admin
Sleep is a fundamental and vitally important process for daily function yet in today’s modern society it is often neglected. On average Australian’s will indulge in 7 hours of sleep during a week day and sometimes a little longer on weekends however there are some who struggle to achieve this amount. Our busy lifestyles, associated stressors and modern technology often to blame for our lack of sleep. But how much sleep should we really be getting and why is it so important? To fully appreciate this, we first need to understand a little about the different phases of sleep. Sleep is often divided into two phases non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Whilst both phases occur periodically throughout the night NREM sleep is more common later at night in the early parts of slumber whilst REM sleep is more dominant in the early morning or later parts of sleep. Those who don’t get the recommended amount of sleep may be depriving themselves of the various benefits of these two phases. So, what are these benefits and are they really that important? Let’s explore some of the proven effects of NREM sleep first and then REM sleep. NREM sleep:
  • Refinement of cognitive skills, reasoning and critical thinking (adolescents)
  • Increased problem-solving capabilities
  • Memory consolidation
  • Enhanced learning capacity
  • Reduction in physiological stress – through the calming of the sympathetic nervous system (especially a reduction in cardiovascular stress at night)
  • Removal of metabolic contaminants within the brain by way of cerebrospinal fluid through the glymphatic system (like the lymphatic system within the body)
  • Enhance motor-skills – increased speed and accuracy
  REM sleep
  • Develop/add neural connections (infants)
  • Enhanced creativity
  • Heightened problem-solving capabilities
  • Superior comprehension of the social world
  • Increased emotional acuity
  • Improved decision making by identifying social and emotional cues
These are just some of the benefits of sleep. When you look at these benefits and the impact that these have on daily function and longevity it’s not hard to see why sleep is so important. Despite some controversy within the literature it is recommended that individuals get 8 hours of sleep a night and at the very minimum provide an 8-hour sleep opportunity. If having difficulty sleeping it is recommended that you speak to your general practitioner or nearest sleep laboratory. Anyone interested in learning more about sleep I would highly recommend reading Why We Sleepby Matthew Walker or visiting the national sleep foundation website https://www.sleepfoundation.org/or the Sleep Health Foundation website https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/for more information.  

About The Author

Enhance Admin

Enhance Admin is the dedicated support heartbeat of Enhance Physio, ensuring every patient enjoys a seamless, welcoming experience from their first enquiry to their final appointment. Our admin team brings warmth, professionalism, and efficiency to every interaction, managing bookings, assisting with treatment enquiries, and helping our clients feel supported every step of the way. They play an essential role in delivering the red-carpet experience we’re known for, allowing our clinicians to focus on what they do best, enhancing the health and wellbeing of our community.

 Book An Appointment

Our Locations

550 Smollett St,
Albury NSW 2640
(02) 6041 3609

Book Appointment →

346 Griffith Rd,
Lavington NSW 2641
(02) 6046 9269

Book Appointment →

165 Lawrence St,
Wodonga VIC 3690
(02) 6060 2403

Book Appointment →

439 Police Road,
Mulgrave VIC 3170
(03) 9795 0668

Book Appointment →

24B/340 Hope Island Rd,
Hope Island QLD 4212
(07) 5522 9577

Book Appointment →

50 Railway St,
Mudgeeraba QLD 4213
(07) 5522 9577

Book Appointment →