ZZZZZ Get Fit!WITH KERA KESTER

Why are kids all over the world being told to turn off their electronics and get to bed on time? Why are fatigued adults walking into work some days with a huge yawn and stretch? Why are name-brand companies making billions selling products created to knock us into dreamland? We are repeatedly told that the answer is humanity’s need for 6-8 hours of sleep per night. But some of us feel that we function better on less or sometimes more. So why did 6-8 hours become a golden rule?

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61. Itching to get started

It is helpful to understand that the amount of sleep humans need is individual and depends on factors such as age and genetics. For example, studies have shown three genes that allow someone to function adequately on less than 6 hours of sleep. These genes are the NPSR1, DEC2 and ADRB1. However, only a very small minority of the population carries these. Furthermore, the NPSR1 gene is especially rare and only found in 1 in 4,000,000 people. Therefore, the odds are that you won’t be able to consistently function in top shape on such little sleep.

Now, onto why the golden rule of sleep exists. There are two physiological states of sleep – NREM (non-rapid eye movement – N1, N2, N3) and REM (rapid eye movement). We sleep in cycles, of which there are four.

1. NREM1

This is the transitional period of light or drowsy sleep. Your muscles are still active, and your body sends signals to slow down your heartbeat, breathing and brain waves.

2. NREM2

This period is shown to not only slow your heartbeat and breathing but also relax your muscles. Your eye movement

by Patrick Jordan

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15. Deals well with problems

16. Breakfast meat

17. Images on St. Patrick's Day decorations snake of Egypt

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65. Selfish person's trait

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4. Goof up

5. Squashes underfoot (2 wds.)

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7. Ditch around a castle

8. "The Simpsons" store owner

9. Meditative branch of Buddhism

10. Word on some perfume bottles

11. Images on St. Patrick's Day decorations

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3. NREM3

In this slow-wave sleep, your brain waves decelerate, bringing you into a deep sleep. This is said to be the most restful phase of sleep as you become unresponsive to environmental stimuli. Experiences such as night terrors and sleep walking are known to occur here.