Most of what we know about sleep has only been discovered in the last 25 years, but it’s fair to say we’ve made up for it. Scientists and researchers all over the globe are learning more and more about sleep every day, teaching us things we never even dreamed about (excuse the pun). We’ve put together a list of 22 of the most interesting and surprising facts about sleep that you may not know.
Before colour television was introduced, only 15% of people dreamt in colour. Older people dream in black and white more often than younger people, it’s all here in this study.
Related: Does Eating Cheese Before Bedtime Really Give You Nightmares?
This will come as no surprise to most cat owners. Every sofa is a sofa bed to them. Otherwise found on your favourite seat or computer keyboard.
Learn more about other animals and their sleep here, including ferrets, cheetahs, and sloths.
This obviously differs depending on the age of the human, but on average it’s around a third, which is quite a lot when you think about it.
Related: How Do Sleeping Patterns Affect Your Sport?
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.
There are many instances where people have reported their deaf partners or children using sign language in their sleep.
We’ve all no doubt found it tricky getting out of bed before, but those suffering from Dysania find it particularly difficult. It’s most likely to be a form of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Some people have even committed crime due to parasomnia, including sleep driving and even murder.
No one is totally sure why hypnic jerks occur but they are deemed to be perfectly healthy. However, they may be increased by anxiety, caffeine or physical activity close to bedtime. They’re more frequent in young people and decrease as we get older.
This is according to the National Sleep Foundation. It’s also a myth that you shouldn’t wake someone who is sleepwalking.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Sleeping Positions for Couples [Infographic]
Dr Sarah Brewer told us why this might actually be a good thing.
Neither are good for you, obviously, but this article claims that sleep is actually more important than food in the short term.
This is a topic that is really quite interesting and the timing of the blindness in a person’s life may impact what that person dreams about. There’s plenty more on this here.
After an additional 5 minutes, 90% of recollection is gone. Sigmund Freud believed this was because dreams represent our repressed thoughts and so our brain wants to get rid of them quickly. However, it’s much more likely due to our brains simply being used much more as soon as we’re awake and so we forget much of what we’ve dreamed about.
This study suggests that cutting a person’s sleep in half dramatically reduces pain threshold although it’s not 100% clear why.
This is from research done by Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, though five other sleeping positions have been identified: the log, yearner, starfish, soldier, and freefaller.
This is also according to Professor Idzikowski, suggesting that those who sleep in the foetal position “may appear tough but are actually sensitive souls right to their core.” See what the Professor says about the other sleep positions.
If it takes you less than five minutes, chances are, you’re sleep deprived.
How nice it must be to just go to sleep whenever and wherever you are!
Hands should apparently be positioned above the pillow so you’re in a ‘freefall’ position, whilst laying on your left side can apparently help reduce heartburn.
This comes from a report by The Sleep Council. I would certainly sleep better if I earned that much money!
Instead, researchers have found that it’s most often feelings of sadness, guilt and confusion.
Photo Credit: Sarah Ross photography via Compfight cc
Want to know the meaning behind your dreams? Dream Encyclopaedia
