Sleep Quality and Memory Systems

It is well worth reading this article fully and the links to related articles at the bottom. This series of articles on Berkeley research into sleep underline how important sleep is, both to laying down memories and the regulation of our emotions. It’s the non-REM sleep that is important, particularly in the second half of a night’s sleep, or indeed a nap. If we get less than 6 hours sleep or if the quality of our sleep is poor we are likely to have issues with memory and learning. Sleep deprivation also plays havoc with our emotions and can lead to depression, anxiety and a host of other psychiatric disorders. It makes us unable to put emotional experiences into context and produce controlled, appropriate responses. Many parents see this in their teenage children!

http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/2013/01/28/sleep-memory