However, the effect of the sounds is short
Sleeping people react to noise from wind turbines and traffic, but in most cases it does not wake them up, according to a study by Flinders University in Australia, quoted by “MedicalExpress”.
The researchers analyzed electroencephalograms of the brain waves of 23 young healthy people under the influence of three-minute recordings of noise from wind turbines and street traffic, reproduced at different volumes (33, 38 and 43 decibels). The results are published in the “Journal of Sleep Research”.
“Noting the changes in brainwaves, we found that volunteers reacted similarly to wind turbines and street noise, especially when the sound was louder. During light sleep, we noticed that low noise levels from wind turbines caused more brain activity than traffic noise at the same volume, “said study leader Claire Dunbar of the University Medical Research Center.
However, the effects of the sounds were short-lived, with the brain waves of most subjects returning to their main activity, sleep, about thirty seconds after the onset of each noise, and few of the study participants woke up.
Good sleep is extremely important for our health – as much as healthy eating and exercise. Unfortunately, there are many factors that can hinder it.
Here are some reasons why it is so important:
1. Poor sleep is associated with higher body weight
Poor sleep is associated with weight gain. People who have a short sleep duration are more likely to gain weight than those who get enough sleep. Short sleep is actually one of the strongest risk factors for obesity.
This can happen to both adults and children. If you are trying to lose weight, quality sleep is a must.
2. People with good sleep tend to eat fewer calories a day
Studies show that people who do not get enough sleep have a greater appetite and tend to eat more calories. Poor sleep affects the hormones that regulate appetite. These include higher levels of the hormone ghrelin, which plays an important role in the feeling of hunger, and lower levels of the hormone leptin, which suppresses it.
3. Good sleep can improve concentration and productivity
Sleep is important for various aspects of brain function. Without it, our concentration and productivity during the day becomes lower. Research among medical trainees provides a good example of this. Trainees with extended working hours over 24 hours make 36% more serious medical mistakes than those who allow themselves more sleep. Good sleep has been shown to improve problem-solving skills and improve memory in both children and adults.
4. Poor sleep is associated with depression
Mental health problems, such as depression, are strongly associated with poor sleep quality and sleep disorders. It is estimated that 90% of people with depression complain of insomnia, which is even associated with an increased risk of death by suicide.
5. Sleep affects glucose and the risk of type 2 diabetes
Experimental sleep restriction affects blood sugar and reduces insulin sensitivity. In a study involving healthy and young men, restricting sleep to 4 hours for 6 consecutive nights caused symptoms of pre-diabetes. However, they can disappear in a week if the duration of sleep increases. Many studies have shown a strong link between short sleep duration and type 2 diabetes.
