Sleep pressure in our bodies builds up when we stay awake for a long period of time. If this continues on over the span of a few days, the pressure increases dramatically. It can be commonly observed when we are in bed ready to fall asleep. The shorter the duration before one is completely asleep signifies the greater the sleep pressure that one has built up.
This week I personally experienced the magnitude of the sleep pressure I had stored up. Specifically this took place during the weekend when I had the chance to travel to San Antonio with my family. One night when I was in San Antonio, I made the decision to go to bed early and was fast asleep after two minutes (at least that's what I remember. It could have been quicker than that!) The next day I woke up after getting an amazing eight hours of sleep. That same day we headed back home and, I'm not making this up, I fell asleep after only being five minutes on the highway! I couldn't believe it! Eight hours of sleep the night before and my body was still tired because of the sleep debt that I had acquired, and I fell asleep instantly because of the sleep pressure I had. This definitely let myself know that getting only one night of good sleep doesn't mean that my body immediately regenerates from all the other nights that I was suppose to sleep fully!
Original picture found here:
https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/snoring-vs-sleep-apnea-is-there-a-difference/
Glad someone else was driving!! Our sleep pressure is tremendous. It's hard not to let ourselves sleep when someone else is taking care of things.
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