Sleep Habit with Personal Assessment

Sleep Studies

The average amount of sleep necessary for a young adult is seven to nine hours of sleep. The sleep cycle consist of four stages of sleep, which is N1, N2, N3, and rapid-eye movement (REM). During REM dreams occur, this is generally 60 to 90 minutes after falling asleep. N1 to N3 of the sleep cycle is non-REM. Stage N1 is basically your mind transitioning to sleep; this is about 5 to 10 minutes. In this period, the sleeper may move around and be easily awoken. N2 occurs next, known as light sleep. This is the first stage of true sleep, lasting from 10 to 25 minutes, with little movement and lowered heart rate. N3 is deep sleep, where the blood flow is very slow, directed away from the brain and towards the muscles. This allows for physical energy to be restored. Deep sleep may last 15 to 20 minutes. These three stages repeat themselves throughout the night, with REM state occurring four to five times. [2] If inadequate quality of sleep occurs for long and/or short periods of time, mood changes and even sleep disorders may occur.

One sleep disorder, which I have myself, is hypersomnia. I was diagnosed hypersomnia in 2010 at Pediatric Sleep Institute in Plano, Texas. Hypersomnia is condition much like narcolepsy, but not as sever. Hypersomnia is mainly excessive amounts of sleepiness, with notable side effect of loss of consciousness, sudden head rushes, and sudden drowsiness. I’ve had this occur for three years, where I have fallen asleep both in high and low amount of activity. The fact was that my mind was not sufficiently supplied with a good sleep cycle caused to me fall asleep in my day to day activities. According to the National Sleep Foundation, up to 40% of people have some symptoms of hypersomnia from time to time. [2] I didn’t believe I had hypersomnia myself, until I totaled my car. I drove through two brick mailboxes, completely demolishing them and the car, all though I didn’t have a single injury other than a few scrapes.

When I was...