Page 51 - Biblical Counseling II-Textbook

Study Section 7: Sleep
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety Psalm 4:7-8

7.1 Connect
“Now playing at an inner theater near you:
the premiere showing of a sleeping person’s
vivid dream. This never-before-seen mental
movie features captivating characters
wrapped in a plot that is original and
unlikely, yet seemingly real.
Waking from a dream, we may wonder how our brain
can so creatively, colorfully, and completely construct
this inner-space world. Caught for a moment between
our dreaming and waking consciousness, we may
even be unsure which worlds are real. Sleep’s
mysteries have intrigued scientist for centuries”
(Myers, p. 50, 2009). (photo: spiritualray.com)

Think for a few minutes about dreams you’ve had
recently or ones you remember from the past. Also
reflect for a moment on how much sleep you get and
if you feel well rested when you wake in the morning. Then continue reading this section on sleep.

7.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to explain circadian rhythm.

2. The student should be able to list the five functions of sleep.

3. Student should be able to describe what happens during REM sleep.

4. The student should be able to articulate why sleep is important to their health.

7.3 Sleep Rhythms

Circadian rhythm is our biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (like temperature,
wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle. When you are deeply asleep, your
perceptual window is actually not completely shut. You move around on your bed, but
you manage not to fall out. The occasional roar of passing vehicles may leave your deep
sleep undisturbed, but a cry from a baby quickly interrupts it, and so does the sound of
your name. EEG, or brain recordings, confirm that the brain’s auditory
cortex responds to sound stimuli even during sleep. And when we are asleep, as when we are awake, we
process most information outside our conscious awareness (Myers, 2012).

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