Elinam Gayi is a young scientist who takes scientific research and presents it in an engaging and accessible way. You can find all her IGLive series “Science Me Softly” at @geneva.business.news

We spend about one-third of our lives doing it. Newborns need between 14 and 17 hours of it, teenagers between 8 and 10, and adults between 7 and 9. Some people prefer to start early whereas others get to it much later in the day. Dolphins do it with only half a brain. What am I?

Why sleep, of course!

Sleep on IGLive

Sleep is an essential part of our day. Getting enough sleep helps boost your immune system, improve your mood and support growth and development.

By the time they are 30, the average person would have spent about 10 years of their life sleeping! But, contrary to popular belief, sleep is a very active process. In fact, during some stages of sleep, your brain is almost as active as when you are awake.

Why do we sleep?

Sleep is not optional. You need to sleep as much as you need food and water. Normally, when we sleep, we feel rested and refreshed. But ignoring our body’s signals to hit the hay has a cost. Most people will be familiar with the grogginess, irritability and concentration problems that occur following an all-nighter. These symptoms may seem like a small price to pay for not sleeping. Chronic sleep deprivation, however, can have serious consequences – you may be at increased risk of heart disease and obesity, and more vulnerable to infections.

Disorders

Sometimes sleep deprivation is not a choice but could be due to a chronic illness such as insomnia. And, just as sleep deprivation can be detrimental to your health, excessive daytime sleepiness can be a sign of serious health problems.

So what happens when we sleep? And why is it so essential? Why is it so hard to get it right? And can you sleep during an IGLive?

Join me as we demystify the world of sleep on Instagram’s IGLive @geneva.business.news Thursday 03 December.

Further reading:

CRISPR: The Genetic Scissors by Elinam Gayi