Know Your A, B, Zzzz’s
A good night’s sleep — everyone
needs it, but not everyone gets it.
See how much you know about
snoozing by taking this quiz.
1. The rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage is when dreaming occurs. How often does REM happen during the night?
2. On average, how much sleep does an adult need each night to function well?
3. How many Americans suffer from undiagnosed sleep disorders?
4. A sleepless night hinders your ability to drive in morning rush-hour traffic to the same extent as which of these?
5. Minor sleep deprivation can affect concentration, mood, and what else?
6. Which of these contributes to insomnia?
7. Sleepwalking tends to run in families. At what ages does it occur most often?
8. Doing which of these can increase your energy if you get sleepy during the day?
9. Meals with more than 1,000 calories will make you drowsy. Which of these lunches can make you more alert?
Answers
1. A, 4 or 5 times. REM sleep occurs every 1½ hours while you sleep. During such sleep, the eyes move rapidly under the closed lids.2. C, 7 ½.
3. B, 50 million. Most people don’t know what causes their disturbed sleep cycles. Among the common causes are restless-leg syndrome, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and insomnia.
4. C, being intoxicated. Lack of sleep affects coordination as much as alcohol.
5. B, joint problems. People who didn’t get enough sleep also reported more stomach problems and headaches, studies found.
6. B, taking daytime naps. If you didn’t get enough sleep the night before, try to get through the day and go to bed at the normal hour. A daytime nap may make it harder to get to sleep that night.
7. B, 6 to 12. Psychological factors, fatigue, or sleep loss are thought to trigger sleepwalking. Adult sleepwalkers should avoid alcohol and other depressants before bedtime.
8. A, drinking plenty of water. Dehydration leaves the body fatigued and sluggish. Sugar slows down the body by rapidly diverting energy to the digestive process. Caffeine may make you more alert but won’t necessarily increase your energy level.
9. C, pasta with grilled chicken. Pasta without protein raises the brain’s serotonin level, which makes you sleepy.
