What is sleep?

We spend a third of our lives sleeping and we know that it is a fundamental component of our health, but what is it?

In this video we begin to unpack this question and consider a few interesting facts about sleep.

Did you know?

• Some functions of the brain and body are actually more active when we are asleep than when we are awake!
• A large part of our understanding about the function of sleep comes from our understanding of what happens to us when we don’t sleep.
• When we sleep, we experience changes to our brain activity, heart rate, breathing, and body temperature.

Conversation starter

• How would you explain to a child what sleep is?
• Do you have an interesting fact about sleep that you would like to share?