Sleep, cholesterol, memory and learning

A long title isn't it :-). Sleep is a key topic for me. In western society in particularly it's not valued very highly. We just don't have enough hours in the day.

My opinion is that a well rested person will get any job done better, faster and cheaper than someone who's tired. so I've started focussing on how to sleep well. But what do you think?

Checkout my article considering whether cholesterol improves memory and learning. What are your thoughts after rrading this?

Can a lack cholesterol have such an impact on learning and daily function?
Can lack of sleep have such a key effect on your day?

Task Discussion

Thys July 21, 2011, 10:02 a.m.

It is said that ... (proof?) ... vasopressin has memory-enhancing effects.
Thys July 9, 2011, 6:58 p.m.

How long is a cycle of sleep? Maria says: i need four cycles.

1,5 hour per cycle, means a night rest of 6 hours.

A power-nap can be helpful.

Memory in sleep?

I can improve memorizing, when laying down and closing eyes; and letting information that is fresh find its place as knowledge; as new insights, as connected and contexted, while sinking down in seemingly deeper, less reachable, layers of the brains.

Taking a rest somewhere during the daylight period feels fine for me.

After a cycle of about 1,5 hours i feel refreshed.
Maria Droujkova June 22, 2011, 8:36 a.m.

3. Can lack of alpha state time during waking hours cause issues?

Allegedly, tribal peoples spend a lot of their hours in different brain states than Western peoples. The study is hiding from me now, and maybe someone made it up during a lecture.

4. How many sleep periods a day do you need?

Speaking for myself, I feel the best with about 4 sleep cycles (6 hours) per night and 1 more (1-2 hours) midday. I also nap/relax for 10-20 minutes, without going into deep sleep, after 2-3 hours of intensive work if I need to work more.

If I ever build a workspace where others spend more than 2-3 hours at a time, it will have arrangements for napping.