Rest for good health

Written by    Monday, 02 June 2008

Rest for good health.No one knows exactly what sleep is or why we sleep.But scientists do know that when you go to sleep all your body activities slow down: your heart beat is slower and the the heart rests longer between best; there is less tone in your muscles; your nervous system is less active; and you blood pressure is lower.During sleep your body rids itself of fatigue, so that you wake up refreshed, with new energy.     There are certain conditions that help you to sleep well-a dark, quiet room and a comfortable bed. Going to bed at about the same hour each night forms the habit of regular sleep. Before going to bed, Some quiet activity such as reading or listening to restfull music relaxes the nerves. Teen-agers should have from eight to ten hours of sleep each night.     Short periods of rest also help the body to renew its energy. Such rest periods should be taken from time to time during vigorous physical activity. Rest is very important when you are ill because the body needs all of its energy to fight infection. Trying to sweat out a cold through physical activity is inviting a more serious illness, such as pneumonia.