Sleep Mask Science
Sleep is vital for the rejuvenation and repair of the body and for the restoration of a healthy and balanced mental state. Life’s joys are less apparent in the absence of periods of deep and refreshing sleep.
So what exactly happens in sleep that allows a person to wake up feeling refreshed and how is sleep naturally induced?
Our natural sleep cycle begins with the onset of darkness. Special photosensitive receptor cells in the eyes signal the brain when light levels diminish to convert the brain chemical “serotonin” (the chemical of wakefulness and activity) into “melatonin” (the brain chemical of sleep and restoration).
It is the onset of darkness that triggers a release of Melatonin in the brain that helps you to fall asleep.
How Can a Sleep Mask Help?
Sleep masks work by causing the body to produce melatonin by simulating the onset of darkness. This is critically important for those who find themselves not in tune to the body’s own natural sleep state, such as night-shift workers or airline travelers.
Sleep masks may also help individuals living in housing that have large areas of natural lighting. When it is summer and the days are long, particularly in the higher latitudes, a sleep mask can be just what you need for creating the correct amount of darkness to let you fall asleep naturally.
Sleep Cycles
There are many studies that indicate that we dream in cycles all during the night. The cycles usually last between 30 and 90 minutes and are characterized by a variety of physiological indicators (such as rapid eye movement) that correspond with brain activity and brain frequency.
Although very little is known at this time about the full significance of each of the sleep cycles and what effect each state has on the repair of the body and mind, it is clear that sleep cycles must complete without interruption for a person to wake feeling revitalized and refreshed.
When you don’t achieve a restful and refreshing sleep, you may become irritable and find that concentration is difficult. If your absence of sleep is prolonged, you will begin to hallucinate and find clear thinking is very difficult. Anyone who gets only a few hours of sleep per night can eventually experience many of the same problems.
At Best Sleep Masks you will find more information on sleep masks and my selection for the best fit for you. Should you need help with selecting a sleep mask; then please read “How to Choose a Sleep Mask” at Dream Essentials.
Sleep Masks are life-savers to night-shift workers, airline travelers or others that need to induce restful sleep during the day or night hours. In addition Sleep Masks have other uses such as Headache Relief, Meditation, Hypnotherapy, Biofeedback, Eye Surgery, Airplane Travel and Massage Therapy.
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