A person sleeps when his body needs rest. This natural phenomenon is common in humans, reptiles, birds, and almost every living creature. Sleep refreshes the brain as well as the body. While sleeping the person does not get to hear any kind of noise until and unless it is a loud one. The body muscles are relaxed and the heart beat slows down with the brain crazy things. The person sleeping grows unconscious to the events surrounding him. He can be woken up, if the stimulus is somewhat strong, with a shake or a loud noise. This is the biggest difference between a person sleeping, fainted or in a situation of coma.

It is not just the humans who sleep, the reptiles, birds and animals also take their sleep for a certain time period. They become insensible to the outer word while they are at sleep. But there are a few amphibians ho only become half-unconscious and retain rest of their consciousness. It seems that the insects never sleep but it has been observed that they become still for a certain time be it broad daylight or dark. It has been discovered that all the mammals tend to dream, but the reptiles do not. The birds dream a little and a cow only dreams when it is lying down (although it can sleep while standing also).

There is no definite pattern for a person regarding heir sleep hours. It differs from person to person as the lifestyle varies. Adults normally sleep seven to eight hours a day. New born babies sleep for about sixteen or eighteen hours once a day. Children in schools sleep for say ten or twelve hours each day.

It is a strong belief that adults need less sleep as they grow older. But no scientific experiment has proved the same. As the age advances people tend to get a little amount of sleep. There are some who remain awake the whole night long.

Proper sleep is very necessary both in quantity and quality. The kind of sleep you have had the previous night determines how well your body functions for you the next day. If you skimp on your sleep, then you will have to pay the price too. Studies have proved that after a bad night’s sleep one cannot focus clearly on their work, be it anything you do. You will suffer even if you skip one hour of your sleep. Sleep also affects your mood. If you did not sleep properly then your mood has to change to an irritable one, especially with teenagers. Your heath is the worst affected.

There are ways through which a healthy sleep can be maintained. Stick to a single sleeping pattern. Wake up at the same time and sleep at the same. Avoid exercises at late nights. Avoid the intake of caffeine and nicotine, alcohol drinks before bed, beverages, large meals at night, medicines disturbing your sleep and short naps after 3 pm. Proceed for a hot shower before you go to sleep and consult a doctor incase of insomnia.