15 Crazy Sleep Facts You Won’t Believe

1. The Longest Recorded Period Without Sleep Is 11 Days

The record was set by Californian student Randy Gardner in 1964 – but don’t try this at home, as he suffered extreme sleep deprivation and others have died staying awake for this long.

2. Sleep Deprivation Is Deadlier Than Food Deprivation

In fact, it’s so dangerous, it will kill you quicker – it takes around two weeks to starve to death but just ten days without sleep can kill you.

3. Up To 15% Of The Population Are Sleepwalkers

According to the National Sleep Foundation. Sleepwalking is also most likely to affect children between the ages of three and seven.

4. 12% Of People Only Dream In Black & White

But before colour TV was introduced, only 15% of people dreamt in colour.
[view:insert:similar_note]

5. One In Four Married Couples Sleep In Separate Beds

Although this is a relatively recent cultural development, many relationship experts claim this can be a good thing for couples’ health – when you share a bed with someone else, your sleep is 50% more disturbed than it would be if you slept alone.

6. Deaf People Often Use Sign Language In Their Sleep

It’s the equivalent of sleep talking, and a commonly reported phenomenon.
 

7. Those Born Blind Experience Dreams With Other Senses

Rather than dreams involving sight, people who are born blind often have dreams featuring emotion, sound and smell. The timing of blindness in a person’s life can also impact what they dream about.

8. Within Five Minutes Of Waking, 50% Of Dreams Are Forgotten

And after 10 minutes, 90% of recollection is gone. Some people choose to keep a ‘dream diary’ next to their beds to write in as soon as they wake up in order to help them remember.

9. 41% Brits Sleep In The Foetal Position

According to Professor Chris Idzikowski, Director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, there are six sleeping positions in total – the foetal, log, yearner, starfish, soldier and free-faller – and which one you prefer reveals a lot about your personality.

10. Sleeping On Your Front Can Help Digestion

Those who sleep in the free-fall position – lying on their front could be boosting their digestion. Additionally, laying on your left side has been shown to help reduce heartburn.

11. Falling Asleep Should Take Around 15 Minutes

If it takes you less than five minutes, you’re likely sleep deprived. If it takes you longer, you could be suffering from insomnia.

12. High Earners Get The Best Nights’ Sleep

A report by The Sleep Council found that people who earned between £65-£75,000 had the best quality of sleep. No word on whether this was due to very expensive mattresses or lack of money worries, though.
 

13. 16% Of US Employers Provide Napping Areas For Workers

Google, The Huffington Post, Nike and Ben & Jerry’s all have special nap rooms or nap pods to ensure their employees are well-rested.
 

14. Men Have Dreams About Other Men 70% Of The Time

Whereas women dream about men and women equally. Interesting…
 

15. Koalas Are The Sleepiest Mammal

Sleeping for a whopping 22 hours a day. And giraffes are the mammal needing the least sleep, getting just 1.9 hours a day in five to ten minute sessions.