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The 7 Stages of Sleep and What Happens in Each

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  We have all heard about the importance of sleep, but what is really going on when we close our eyes and drift off? Sleep isn’t just one continuous state. It is made up of different stages, each with its own role in keeping our body and brain healthy. In this post, we will break down the 7 stages of sleep, what happens in each, and how they contribute to our overall well-being. Stage 1: The Drowsy Drift (NREM) This is that light sleep we all experience just as we are falling asleep. You know the feeling, your eyelids get heavy, your thoughts start to wander, and you might even twitch a little. In this stage, your body is beginning to relax, and your brainwaves slow down from their active daytime rhythm.   Your heartbeat, breathing, and eye movements slow down. Muscles relax, but it is easy to wake up from this stage. It is the transition between wakefulness and sleep. Without this phase, you’d have a hard time diving into deeper sleep stages. According to research from ...

9 Benefits of Napping

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Are you dragging through the afternoon, trying to keep your eyes open? If so, you are not alone. Many of us feel tired and restless in the middle of the day, but there is a simple solution that most people overlook; napping . It is not just for babies or lazy weekends. With the right approach, naps can become your secret weapon for boosting productivity, creativity, and overall health. In this post, I’ll walk you through 9 amazing benefits of napping and share how to nap like a pro , all backed by science. And don’t worry, if you are a serial napper who wakes up groggy, I’ve got some tips for you too . Let us get started: 1. Boosts Brain Power Feeling mentally sluggish? A quick nap can turn that around . Napping helps improve cognitive function, including memory and learning ability. According to a study from NASA , pilots and astronauts who took a 40-minute nap improved their performance by 34% and alertness by 100% . The brain uses this short rest period to process information a...

Does Melatonin Work? The Controversy Behind Nature's Sleep Aid

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If you have ever struggled to get some sleep at night, chances are you have heard about melatonin. It is that natural sleep hormone that everyone seems to be raving about. You walk into any pharmacy, and boom, there is a whole section dedicated to it, promising better sleep in just one pill. But here is the thing: while melatonin is popular, it is also super controversial. So, what is the deal with this sleep aid? Does it help you fall asleep naturally, or are we all just falling for a trendy placebo? If you are curious about trying something other than pills, I’ve got a few natural alternatives that might just be your ticket to dreamland. What Exactly Is Melatonin? In simple terms, melatonin is a hormone that your brain produces when it starts getting dark. Think of it as your body signalling that it is bedtime. The natural production of melatonin peaks at night, helping you feel drowsy and ready to sleep. Now, because it sounds so natural, many people assume that popping a melatoni...