Healthy sleep is vital for optimal learning and memory function. During sleep, while your body rests, your brain is very busy processing information from the day that has been and forming new memories. If you are sleep deprived, your ability to learn and retain new information may be impaired. This is because, without adequate sleep your brain becomes foggy, your judgment becomes poor, and your fine motor skills are hindered.
The Power of Sleep
Research and studies suggest that the quantity and quality of your sleep has a profound impact on learning and memory. Research suggests that sleep helps learning and memory in two distinct ways:
- A sleep-deprived person cannot focus attention optimally and therefore cannot learn efficiently.
- Sleep itself has a role in the consolidation of memory. This is essential for learning new information.
Learning and memory are often described in terms of three functions, all of which are important for proper memory function:
- Acquisition refers to the introduction of new information into the brain;
- Consolidation represents the processes by which a memory becomes stable;
- Recall refers to the ability to access the stored information (whether consciously or unconsciously.
Not only does sleep help to sharpen the mind, studies show that sleep also affects physical reflexes, fine motor skills, and judgment, too. Studies involving memory tests show that after a single night of sleep, or even a nap, people perform better, whether on a test, in the office, on the athletic field, or in a concert hall.
There are many questions scientists are trying to get closer to understanding the relationship between sleep and our brain.
However, what’s certain is that sleep is a biological necessity, in order to survive, we need sleep. Experts recommend adults get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. If this is not attainable every night, it should be the goal.
