In general, all of these factors tend to increase the number of awakenings and limit the depth of sleep.
External factors, such as what we eat and drink, the medications we take, and the environment in which we sleep can also greatly affect the quantity and quality of our sleep. Other factors that affect sleep include stress and many medical conditions, especially those that cause chronic pain or other discomfort.
These and other variations associated with age are covered at length in the essay Changes in Sleep with Age. The amount of sleep we obtain generally decreases and becomes more fragmented throughout our lifespan. However, a variety of internal and external factors can dramatically influence the balance of this sleep-wake system.Ĭhanges in the structure and function of the brain during development can have profound, if gradual, effects on sleep patterns. The internal mechanisms that regulate our almost ceaseless cycles of sleep and wakefulness make up a remarkable system.