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We all know that how we sleep the previous night can have a huge effect on how we feel the day afterwards. What you may not be aware of, however, are the long term effects of too little sleep, for example increased susceptibility to illness(1), weight gain(2), and hypertension to name just a few(3).
Studies suggest that long term poor quality sleep can affect life expectancy by as much as 15% (4). Many experts in the field are concerned that our society as a whole should be paying more attention to sleep, treating it as a priority rather than a begrudged necessity.
The short term effects of poor sleep are equally pronounced - it is known that driving after a being awake for just 17 hours (the average waking day is 16 hours) is equally dangerous to driving over the legal alcohol limit(5). Tiredness' affects on concentration, reaction times and memory are just the tip of the iceberg. Look further into the effects of sleep deprivation, we see symptoms such as depression, difficultly in decision making, or even paranoia and hallucinations.
To understand why sleep is so paramount to the functioning of the brain, it is necessary to look into the different stages of sleep and what their functions are. There are two main types of sleep, R.E.M. sleep, characterised by vivid dreams, and the eye movements that give this phase its name. The other is Deep Wave Sleep (also known as Delta Wave Sleep), we know less about this phase of sleep, however it's generally accepted that this is when we digest what learn from the previous day. Interruptions in this phase of sleep have been shown to be the most damaging to performance the next day(6).
When we sleep, it is not possible to skip straight into the most restorative Deep Wave Sleep, we first have to pass though several stages of shallow sleep, and then a period of REM sleep before we hit Deep Wave. Every time our sleep is interrupted, we have to start that process all over again. This is why the effects of a broken night's sleep can feel just as bad as getting no sleep at all. (7)
This is where the advantages of a Sleepright Memory Foam mattress are most obvious - because of the support they give your body, you are much less likely to wake during the night (8), and this means that you spend a larger proportion of your time in the valuable deep wave phase of sleep. More deep sleep means you are healthier, happier and more productive in your waking hours.
References:
(1) & (4) Harvard Medical School Study "Sleep and Disease Risk"
(2) BBC News - "A lie-in may help you lose weight"
(3) Sleep-Deprivation.com "Effects of Sleep Deprivation"
(5) CNN Sleep Deprivation Study
(6) & (7) HelpGuide.org "Sleep Needs, Cycles, and Stages"
(8) Study into Memory Foam - "Memory Foam vs Standard Mattress Sleep Study"
Further Information:
Harvard Magazine Article on Sleep
BBC's Sleep Information Site
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