Page 48 - Biblical Counseling II

What is sleep’s function?
1. Sleep protects. Species sleep patterns fit needs. For example, large animals like elephants sleep only 3-4
hours. Gorillas sleep for around 12 hours while bats sleep for 20 hours! Why? In class, we would discuss that
larger animals need to be awake to watch for predators, while smaller animals can hide to sleep.

2. Sleep helps us recuperate, restore, and repair brain tissue.

3. Sleep is for making memories. While we are asleep, we restore and rebuild our memories of the day.

4. Sleep feeds creative thinking. We learn more when we are rested. Sleep increases our thinking and
learning. Good sleep is important!

5. Sleep may play a role in the growth process. Our pituitary gland releases growth hormones. As we age, it
releases less hormones, which leads to needing less sleep.

Suggestions for Better Sleep
In class, we talk about ways to sleep better. This list usually includes not looking at screens at night (phones!),
relaxing before bed by reading or talking, exercising in the afternoon, and avoiding caffeine in the afternoon.
Can you think of other suggestions for better sleep?

Why We Dream
Psychologists speculate that we dream for four different reasons. Do you believe these are true?

Wish-fulfillment: When we dream, we express unrealistic feelings or actions.
Physiological function: Dreams help develop the brain. They may help develop and preserve neural pathways
in the brain.
Activation-synthesis: Visual memories that are “seen” in dreams change into stories. Dreams help us process
our day.
Cognitive development: Dreams reflect our knowledge and understanding of the world. They help us sort
events and store memories.

Let’s Practice…

1. Define circadian rhythm.

2-6. List the five functions of sleep.

7. Describe what happens during REM sleep.

8. How are your sleep habits? How can you improve?

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