Sleep improves cognition

As we learn and digest information we build synaptic connections between neurons, these become neuro transmitters that chemicals like dopamine (the pain killing chemical) and Serotonin (the happy chemical) can pass through.

As we keep learning or practicing we strengthen these connections so our recall becomes fluid, to enable our brain to take on more information- not that we are anywhere near capacity – there are cells that clear away the unused connections.

Imagine your mind like computer, when we have a lot on, it’s like having tabs open. Our brain like the computer has to work harder to achieve the same results. When we switch our computer off, it can close the tabs, clear the c drive and defragment, so when it reboots it runs more efficiently.

This what happens when we sleep the microglial cells find the connections(things we’ve learned) that we don’t use anymore and clear it out, helping our recall, thinking and learning to be more fluid. It’s our brains clear up and filing time.

If we lack sleep the clean up never takes place so our cognition decreases.

So having a good nights sleep and if you are taking on a lot of information a 10 minute nap can help the clear up process and improve cognition immensely.

Hence the phrase sleep on it!

Sleep is vital for your mental and physical health.

If you like it share it!