When a person sleeps, his muscle tissues are rebuilt and growth hormones are secreted

Sleeping provides a way for our bodies to re-set themselves.

All of us who live in today's hurried culture fantasize about the idea of having a full 24 hours to get everything done. Who wouldn't love to disregard those seven or eight hours of our day spent lying there sleeping. It seems like those hours are wasted, right? Nothing is happening outside of our bodies which makes us wonder if there is anything happening on the inside. In other words, why do we sleep?

What is Sleep?

Sleep is an anabolic or building activity. It seems to restore a person's energy supplies that have been used up throughout the day. Sleeping is also when your body repairs itself. It's when your muscle tissues are rebuilt and when growth hormones are secreted. This hormone secretion process is vital for both children and adults because tissues are rebuilt throughout your lifetime.

Why do We Sleep?

If you do not allow your body to experience this growth and restorative time, you will quickly notice that you cannot function as efficiently as you do when you are fully rested. After only a few nights of sleep deprivation, you can notice its effects. Perhaps you cannot think as clearly or maybe you can't seem to perform as well at work. One of the most blaring indications that you have not had enough sleep is the loss of a usual sense of humor leading to an increase in irritability and loss of your usual tolerance. Ask any parent of a newborn. Nothing is all that funny when you are completely exhausted.

It's similar to a car that needs all of its spark plugs replaced but instead only gets half of the work done. It will simply never run as well no matter how much you rev the engine.

One of the best aspects of sleep is the dreaming that takes place during this time. Many researchers believe that dreams help to clear out your brain from all of the mental activity it is called upon to do during the day. Others postulate that dreaming helps to organize and store psychological data that was taken in while you were awake. Whatever their purpose many adults will tell you that their dreams are often enjoyable and that they wish they never had to wake up from some of them.

Why do We Sleep so Long?

So, now that we know why do we sleep, the question becomes, why in the world should we sleep so long? No one can tell you exactly how much sleep you need. You will have to figure out that ideal number of hours for yourself. However, the average recommendations for sleep are:

• Newborns: 18 to 20 hours
• Growing children and adolescents: 10 to 12 hours
• Adults: six to nine hours
• Older adults: five to seven hours

If this amount of pillow time seems unnecessary, think about it for just a minute. Is a quarter of your day resting really too much for your body to ask? It thinks, moves, works, pushes and pulls hard for you up to 18 hours a day. Can't you give it a little rest? The fact of the matter is that your body simply needs the sleep. There's no ignoring that fact. Why not lie back, relax and enjoy those precious hours when all you have to do is let nature run its course?