[Matlock]

Originally Posted by ws6ta

didn't want to make a new thread so I thought I'd ask in here....

anyone know more about sleeping? Is it important to get 8 hours at once? Is 4 hours x 2 as in lets say 1 am to 5 am sleep then 2 pm to 6 pm sleep the same as 1 am to 9 am?

I believe that it's different for every person. You also have to take into consideration how deep of a sleep cycle you go into.

http://helpguide.org/life/sleeping.htm

Deep sleep

The most damaging effects of sleep deprivation are from inadequate deep sleep. Deep sleep is a time when the body repairs itself and builds up energy for the day ahead. It plays a major role in maintaining your health, stimulating growth and development, repairing muscles and tissues, and boosting your immune system. In order to wake up energized and refreshed, getting quality deep sleep is key.

REM sleep

Just as deep sleep renews the body, REM sleep renews the mind. REM sleep plays a key role in learning and memory. During REM sleep, your brain consolidates and processes the information you’ve learned during the day, forms neural connections that strengthen memory, and replenishes its supply of neurotransmitters, including feel-good chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine that boost your mood during the day.

To get more mind and mood-boosting REM sleep, try sleeping an extra 30 minutes to an hour in the morning, when REM sleep stages are longer. Improving your overall sleep will also increase your REM sleep. If you aren’t getting enough deep sleep, your body will try to make it up first, at the expense of REM sleep.