Sleep is a physical and mental resting state in which a person becomes relatively inactive and unaware of the environment. In essence, sleep is a partial detachment from the world, where most external stimuli are blocked from the senses. Normal sleep is characterized by a general decrease in body temperature, blood pressure, breathing rate, and most other bodily functions. Our brain is active during sleep in the same manner as it is when we are awake. Throughout a normal eight-hour sleep cycle, a normal adult alternates between two different states; non-REM and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.

            A major reason why humans sleep is due to the circadian rhythms, also known as the biological clock. A cycle that lasts 24 hours is called circadian. Some physiological functions that are circadian include body temperature and certain hormone secretions. Humans have a cycle of approximately the length of one day. Sleep and wakefulness alternate between night and day. For most people, sleepy peaks occur every 12 hours, at night, and around mid-afternoon. Through a complex process of hormonal and neurological changes, daylight naturally triggers periods of wakefulness. Studies have shown that the absence of light does not disable our biological clocks. The longer a person stays awake, the more sleep he/she requires. Normal peaks of alertness occur during daylight hours. The mid-afternoon dip is caused by a natural decrease in body temperature. When our body temperature begins to drop we are sleepier than when it begins to rise.

            Sleep is a necessary and vital biological function. It is essential to a person’s physical and emotional well being. Studies show that without enough sleep, a person’s ability to perform declines dramatically. It is estimated that 50 percent of the adult population is sleep deprived. This may be attributed to longer work hours and increased commute times. Unfortunately, accidents can easily happen as a result of any amount of sleep lost. That is why it is important to get between 6 to 8 hours of sleep per day. Sleep requirements vary from person to person. Since we now know how important sleep is for us individually and for the productivity of society as a whole, it is important that we start counting those sheep.

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