Sleep Theories

Describes the stages of sleep
Most people think that when we sleep, we can shut down our mind. However, with the power of advanced technique, scientist made a careful observation of human brain waves, body temperature, heart rate, breathing, and other physical functions. They received a new light on sleep. Our brain and body actually are active during sleep, sometimes even more active than we are awake.
There are two type of sleep, making up a complete 90 to 100 minute cycle that can be repeated 4 to 5 times in an average eight hours sleep. NREM (nonrapid eye movement) sleep: also called quite sleep. Have four stages, from stage 1 to stage 4.REM (rapid eye movement) sleep: also called active sleep. Stage 5, in this stage you dreaming.( Cherry, K.2012)
During sleep, we usually pass through five stages of sleep:
 Stage1. Light stage of sleep.
Turn off the light, close your eyes, and find the most comfortable position to lying down on the bed .While, you may feel sleepy now. Your eyes start moving slowly, muscle activity slows and body feel more relaxed. You had already entered stage 1 sleep without noticing it. At this stage, you may be aware of noises. You can be easily awakened and may feel that you are not really sleeping. During stage 1, our brain activity slows down; brain produces waves from alpha waves enter to theta waves. (Rathus, S.pp.100).
 Stages 2. A light sleep but it is deeper than stage 1.
Stage 2 may last for 20 minutes.Your brain starts producing more waves but activities become lower. Your eyes stop moving; breathing, heart rate slows and body temperature decreases. Right now, you are ready to enter deep sleep. During stage 2, the brain waves are interrupted by bursts of brain activity knows as sleep spindles.( Rathus, S)
 Stage 3 and 4. Transition period between light sleep to deep sleep.
At stage 3, you deep sleep starts, your brain produce slower delta waves. There is no eye movement and you will not consciously trying to move your body. Moreover, your heart rate and blood pressure will drop down to the lowest level during the day. According to the repair and restoration Theory of Sleep, deep sleep is the stages for your body to repair damaged and rejuvenate itself. Growth could occurs in stage 4.( Walsh, K.).
It will be difficult to wake you up during these two stages, you cannot adjust immediately, and you may feel dazed and exhausted for few minutes.
 Stage 5. a very light, active sleep
This stage also called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. It is a miraculous stage that you hear rate, heart rate increases, blood pressure raised and breathing become shallower; your eyes move back; your brain become more active as you awake and you start dreaming. Incredibly, your muscles still maintains in a relaxed state.
Stage 5 usually occurs about 70 to 90 minutes after we fall asleep. ( Brain basics: Understanding Sleep ).

The functions of sleep
Sleep is the most important thing for us to survive，it can protect us from disease. Having enough sleep in a day will bring lots of benefits to us -a clear mind, a good mood and full of energy. Sleep may also have other benefits like improving physical and immune function. The following are the summarized functions of sleep.
 Sleep provides an opportunity for the body to repair and rejuvenate: remove fatigue, conserves the body energy
 Beneficial of skin care: good sleep can increase the activities of skin metabolism.
 Sleep provides growth and development: Deep sleep increases the release of growth hormone in human baby or animals. .
 Sleep protect our nervous systems: helps us recover from stress
 Sleep improves our study ability: can strengthen and improve our memory.
 Sleeping affects our immune system：increase resistant system

Discusses one sleep disorder (i.e., explains the disorder, its causes, symptoms, and the treatment options available).
Sleep is a natural process, but if you feel sleep is always difficult such as It is hard to fall asleep; although you have slept for eight hours you may still feel tired and have difficulty to memorize something. If these problems bothered you for ages, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder. Doctors discovered that there are more than 70 sleep disorders which can seriously interfere with our work, driving, and social activities. The most common sleep disorders include insomnia, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea. ( Brain basics.)
Insomnia is a Latin word for “no sleep”, is “a symptom, not a stand-alone diagnosis or a disease” .People that is affected by insomnia has the inability to fall asleep or maintaining sleep. (Insomnia overview). Common symptoms of insomnia include difficulty falling asleep; feel awake for a whole night; only can sleep for few hours per day; waking up frequently, and could not get back to sleep. There are many causes of insomnia. It can be caused by stress, anxiety. It may be related to substance use, such as alcohol, and caffeine. Behavior therapy is often part of any treatment for insomnia. For example: A healthy lifestyle can help to improve sleep quality, doing exercise is helpful in reducing stress.

provides examples of how/if any of sleep theories, and/or disorders apply to your life.
I found a part time job as a store manager in my final year of college. It was hard to study at school during the day and lead employees to work in the night. Worries and tenseness lead me to insomnia. I felt that it is difficult for me to fall asleep in late night, and sometimes when I awake, I still felt tired and dizzy. Lack of enough sleeps cause me became moody, such little things would fire me up. I have to take sleeping pills to get to sleep, but it would not take effect for long term use. Learning to relax helped me sleep better and feel better. It is simple, using scented candles at home to create a comfortable area, take a bath and listen to the music.

References

Brain basics: Understanding Sleep. Retrieved from: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm Cherry, K.(2012).Psychology. Stages of sleep. Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com/od/statesofconsciousness/a/SleepStages.htm
Insomnia. Retrieved from:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/insomnia.html
Insomnia overview.Retrieved from: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/insomnia/article_em.htm Rathus, S. (2012). PSYC 110 - Franklin University. (2nd edition). Belmont, CA: Pearson Custom Publishing. ISBN: 978-1-133-76754-1.pp.100.
Walsh,K.(n.d.). Restoration theory of sleep. Retrieved from:
http://alevelpsychology.co.uk/a2-psychology-aqa-a/unit-3/biological-rhythms-and-sleep/restoration-theory-of-sleep.html

References: Brain basics: Understanding Sleep. Retrieved from: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm Cherry, K.(2012).Psychology. Stages of sleep. Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com/od/statesofconsciousness/a/SleepStages.htm Insomnia. Retrieved from:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/insomnia.html Insomnia overview.Retrieved from: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/insomnia/article_em.htm Rathus, S. (2012). PSYC 110 - Franklin University. (2nd edition). Belmont, CA: Pearson Custom Publishing. ISBN: 978-1-133-76754-1.pp.100. Walsh,K.(n.d.). Restoration theory of sleep. Retrieved from: http://alevelpsychology.co.uk/a2-psychology-aqa-a/unit-3/biological-rhythms-and-sleep/restoration-theory-of-sleep.html