10 Fascinating Facts About Sleep

1. During sleep, essential processes occur without which our bodies can't function normally: the brain recharges for absorbing more details, body cells repair and improve, and important hormones are released to all organs.

2. The ideal duration of sleep varies from person to person and largely depends on age: babies require nearly 16 hours of sleep a day, children aged 3-12 and teenagers aged 13-18 need about ten hours a day, people aged 19-55 require eight hours daily, while older adults need only six hours.

3. Although it may sound illogical, scientists claim that during dreams, one sees faces they have seen at least once in their life, whether remembered or not.

4. About 12% of the population dreams only in black and white.

5. According to professionals, the inability to dream is sometimes directly linked to various mental disorders.

6. The first to devise a way to stay awake for 36 straight hours were the British, using special simulation glasses that mimicked bright 'sunlight' which soldiers wore whenever they felt tired.

7. Sleep is more vital to a person than food. While the danger of death looms after two weeks without food, lack of sleep can be fatal after just 10 days.

8. About ten minutes after waking, we forget over 90% of our dreams.

9. People born blind can 'see' images in dreams involving sounds, sensations, touch, and smells. In contrast, those who lost their sight during their lifetime will dream like sighted people.

10. Psychologists and other professionals claim there's a connection between sleep posture and personality. For instance, people who sleep in a fetal position tend to be more irritable in nature, though they also have a kind and warm heart. People who sleep on their backs are more introverted and reserved, while those who sleep on their stomachs are generally cheerful and optimistic.