You probably know that getting a good night's sleep comes with endless benefits for your overall health, but did you know that one of those benefits is improving your memory? As countless studies have been conducted over the past decade, new research suggests that sleeping well can help you form memories easier and recall old ones better. There are plenty of ways to improve the quality of sleep you get, and you may even consider starting from scratch with a new mattress. As one of Auburn, Alabama’s most reliable mattress stores, Wholesale Mattress Center offers customers a variety of options that can improve their sleep. Keep reading to learn how memory is impacted by your sleep and why.
Memory Formation
There are four main stages to your sleep cycle, each with just as much importance in the formation of memories. You begin sleeping in Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep, which consists of three stages, then you finish in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. Getting the right amount of sleep every night means you experience each of these parts of the process to be fully impactful. The retrieval and disposal of memories take place in and out of the REM part of your sleep cycle.
Normally, during the stages of NREM sleep, your brain filters through the memories you developed the previous day and disposes of any unnecessary pieces to save space. As you approach REM sleep, the slow brain waves in stage 3 of NREM sleep transport these memories from your hippocampus to a more permanent storing area for memory consolidation. This process of consolidation is imperative to being able to recall certain memories later on.
Once you’ve started the REM part of the cycle, similar memories are linked together as you sleep, and oftentimes this is when dreams occur. The thalamus transmits cues from your five senses to the cerebral cortex, which then shows up in your dreams. It is necessary that you go through this process in order to ensure that your memories are solidified in your brain. Being comfortable will make sleeping even more relaxing and you’ll surely start to feel some of the positive impacts it brings.
Better Storage for New Memories
One of the best benefits of getting good sleep is your brain’s improved space for storing new memories. While you sleep, your memories are consolidated and sorted into a deeper storage area in your mind, preparing room for what you might learn next. When you’re in school, sleeping well is so important because it makes it much easier for you to recall the information you’re taught early in the morning. In fact, several studies have suggested that not getting the proper amount of sleep could impact your learning abilities by 40%. If you feel as though your sleep is affecting your work, it could be time to look into getting a new bed or mattress to improve your experience.
Enhances Performance
Sleeping well in general improves your ability to stay active and maintain a good amount of energy during your day, but because your memories are being stored better, you’ll also start performing better. Sure, your procedural memory like driving a car or riding a bike is always there, but the more you remember with time, the more likely you can enhance your overall performance. This also opens opportunities for you to try new activities and have a better chance of remembering how to complete them. Also, in school, you’ll have an easier time recalling facts for exams and class discussions.
Faster Recall
Being able to recall past memories is one of the most important aspects of life for a number of different reasons. It helps us remember the names and faces of loved ones and also allows us to solve problems in school and in life. The third and final stage of NREM sleep is especially important in making old information more accessible. You may find that you can’t recall something right before you go to bed, but when you wake up, your sleep may have improved that memory.
How We Can Help
At Wholesale Mattress Center, we are determined to match you with the best mattress for your needs. We believe that the quality of your mattress has a great impact on your general health and can greatly improve your sleeping patterns. It’s never too late to start getting better sleep, and we will ensure you find it with one of our dependable mattresses. Contact us to learn more about what types of options we offer and what you need to do to find your new mattress.
