Sleep

Although many like to believe otherwise, we all need to sleep. Some less than others, but all nonetheless. Sleep is the basis of your life, without it you cannot function, lack of SLEEP can kill you. Directly, and indirectly!

Extract from an article on emedicinehealth.com
“Sleep is defined as a state of unconsciousness from which a person can be aroused. In this state, the brain is relatively more responsive to internal stimuli than external stimuli. Sleep should be distinguished from coma. Coma is an unconscious state from which a person cannot be aroused. Sleep is essential for the normal, healthy functioning of the human body. It is a complicated physiological phenomenon that scientists do not fully understand.”

Animal lovers may wish to skip this paragraph!
A test was done on rats as part of a campaign in the importance of sleep. The average rat lives 2-3 year, a sleep deprived rat lives 3 weeks max and develops numerous sores.

Lack of sleep can result in a lack of white blood cells, which will cause an eventual failing of the immune system. A big killer of elderly. Lack of sleep also sees a deprecation in our nervous systems. This can lead to mood swings, an inability to do mathematical calculations and problems with physical exercises.

A child should be getting 12 hours of sleep a night, and an adult, 8 hours of sleep a night. Think carefully, when was the last time you got that much sleep? Try it, for one night just go to bed early, and feel the difference!

Some facts:
A study in the USA concluded that 52% of accidents involving heavy trucks were related to driver fatigue!
10% of traffic fatalities in Utah are caused by drowsy drivers.
Poll by the British sleep foundation showed that 19% of male drivers said they fell asleep at the wheel.
770,000 people in the UK are estimated to suffer from a sleep disorder, with OSA being one of the most common.
Sleepiness is the cause of an estimated 20% of all accidents on British motorways.