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Why do we have to "fall" asleep? Why can't we just decide to be asleep? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 1 year ago by frankyboi@lemmy.ca to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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[–] Spzi@lemmy.click 1 points 1 year ago

But we (and other animals) don't just fall asleep involuntarily? We do decide to (go to) sleep. I know I missed your question with this take.

Maybe it's a bit like when we try to focus to learn something. We have to create a situation which supports that desired brain activity, and control our attention. In both cases, we want to minimize distractions.

So I guess one answer to your question is: Because sleep is not a simple activity like watching TV or riding a bike, which we could switch to in an instant. Sleep is a state of mind (and much more physiologically), which requires a certain environment, relaxation and time to transition.