How a Sleep Mask can help you Sleep Better

Sleep Mask Science

Sleep is vital for the rejuvenation and repair of the body and for the restoration of a healthy and balanced mental state. Life’s joys are less apparent in the absence of periods of deep and refreshing sleep.

So what exactly happens in sleep that allows a person to wake up feeling refreshed and how is sleep naturally induced?

Our natural sleep cycle begins with the onset of darkness. Special photosensitive receptor cells in the eyes signal the brain when light levels diminish to convert the brain chemical “serotonin” (the chemical of wakefulness and activity) into “melatonin” (the brain chemical of sleep and restoration).

It is the onset of darkness that triggers a release of Melatonin in the brain that helps you to fall asleep.

How Can a Sleep Mask Assist?

Sleep masks work by fooling the body into the production of melatonin by simulating the onset of darkness. This is vitally important for people who find themselves in situations that are in opposition to the body’s own natural sleep state, such as night-shift workers or airline travelers.

Sleep masks may also assist people residing in dwellings that feature large areas of natural lighting. During the summertime, when the days are long, particularly in the higher latitudes, a sleep mask can be invaluable for creating the right amount of darkness to let you fall asleep naturally.

Sleep Cycles

Studies have shown that we dream in cycles throughout the night. The cycles generally last between 30 and 90 minutes and are characterized by various physiological indicators (such as rapid eye movement) that correspond with brain activity and brain frequency.

Although very little is known at this time about the full significance of each of the sleep cycles and what effect each state has on the repair of the body and mind, it is clear that sleep cycles must complete without interruption for a person to wake feeling revitalized and refreshed.

Without restful, refreshing sleep a person becomes irritable and concentration is difficult. With prolonged absence of sleep a person will begin to hallucinate and clear thinking is impossible. A person who gets just a few hours of sleep per night can experience many of the same problems over time.

Here at Dream Essentials you will find a selection of fine sleeping products catering to your distinct needs and preferences. Should you need help with selecting a sleep mask; then please visit "How to Choose a Sleep Mask"

Sleep Masks are life-savers to night-shift workers, airline travelers or others that need to induce restful sleep during the day or night hours. In addition Sleep Masks have other uses such as Headache Relief, Meditation, Hypnotherapy, Biofeedback, Eye Surgery, Airplane Travel and Massage Therapy.