why do your eyes have to be closed in order to sleep?
965332
they don't, but it is generally easier to rest when brain does not have to process the visual input from eyes
1009933
We need to sleep because we need to let our musles have a break and to give our brain a break also we need to recharge for the next day. We need sleep so our body's can funtion right and so our brain can slay alert.
503417
It could be that your getting to much sleep or that you are worried about something.  If you worry or think to hard sometimes it makes you tired.
858986
Not if you are a normal, healthy person. Some people do have nerve and muscle problems, and are either unable to open their eyes normally, or to close them when they sleep. These people must use special drops in their eyes to keep their eyes lubricated so they are not damaged by drying out. But it can not be done on a voluntary basis.
419305
Oh wow, I get that all the time. Usually it is because you haven't had enough sleep, or because you are too tired. We do this out of protection, but it can be a very scary thing.
27504
er...you wouldn't be using your eyes..they are "closed"...so...nope
331028
The Need for Sleep \n \nSleep Is a Basic Human Need\nSleep is a natural part of everybody's life, but many people know very little about how important it is, and some even try to get by with little sleep. Sleep is something our bodies need to do; it is not an option. Even though the exact reasons for sleep remain a mystery, we do know that during sleep many of the body's major organ and regulatory systems continue to work actively. Some parts of the brain actually increase their activity dramatically, and the body produces more of certain hormones.\n\nSleep, like diet and exercise, is important for our minds and bodies to function normally. In fact, sleep appears to be required for survival. Rats deprived of sleep die within two to three weeks, a time frame similar to death due to starvation.\n\nAn internal biological clock regulates the timing for sleep. It programs each person to feel sleepy during the nighttime hours and to be active during the daylight hours. Light is the cue that synchronizes the biological clock to the 24-hour cycle of day and night.\n\nProblem Sleepiness Has Serious Consequences\nSleepiness due to chronic lack of adequate sleep is a big problem in the United States and affects many children as well as adults. Children and even adolescents need at least 9 hours of sleep each night to do their best. Most adults need approximately 8 hours of sleep each night.\n\nWhen we get less sleep (even one hour less) than we need each night, we develop a "sleep debt." If the sleep debt becomes too great, it can lead to problem sleepiness – sleepiness that occurs when you should be awake and alert, that interferes with daily routine and activities, and reduces your ability to function. Even if you do not feel sleepy, the sleep debt can have a powerful negative effect on your daytime performance, thinking, and mood, and cause you to fall asleep at inappropriate and even dangerous times.\n\nProblem sleepiness has serious consequences – it puts adolescents and adults at risk for drowsy driving or workplace accidents. In children, it increases the risk of accidents and injuries. In addition, lack of sleep can have a negative effect on children's performance in school, on the playground, in extracurricular activities, and in social relationships.\n\nInadequate sleep can cause decreases in\n- Performance\n- Concentration\n- Reaction times (important when driving)\n- Consolidation of information learning\n\nInadequate sleep can cause increases in\n- Memory lapses \n- Accidents and injuries \n- Behavior Problems \n- Mood Problems \n- Signs of sleep disorders
1547
According to sleep researchers, sleep does not have to be uninterrupted in order to fulfill the body's sleep requirements. Your body and mind are getting rest. Just pretend that you are not frustrated as you are, and be happy that your body and mind are being adequately rested despite this.
699010
you have to go into rem sleep rapid eye movment sleep to maintain healthy brain activity  with out rem our brains cannot partially shut down which is absolutly nessicary can i stress that for sanity   not getting rem can cause halloucinations and dementia . i am told that any reocurring dream is often a sign of lack of closure / unfinished buisness your friend can program her self to think and reflect on positve things well before bed. when did they start why    is there repressed trauma she should seek counseling soon never mind the drugs a light dinner as opposed to a heavy one should help as well
461087
It's hard to believe that he slept with his eyes open. U have to blink and close ur eyes to keep them moist, otherwise they would dry out. I'm pretty sure there are VERY few people in the world that do that. In fact, I bet its near-to-impossible.
231751
Hi, M.\nLots of reasons; stress, an insufficient amount of exercise during the day, napping during the day, travel, and all of the things that wake us up in the night anyhow so that we can't get back to sleep.\nAnd, as I recall you're not in a relationship right now...\n\nSorry I couldn't get this answer to you before the stupid ones got there first.
647750
Don't sleep with your window open.  You may have allergies.
1020839
Your eyes have been covered all night under your eyelids while asleep or you stayed up all night partying and studying.  If you are sleeping, then your eyes maybe allergic to something like pollen or pollution.  If you are staying up, your tear ducts are stopping and the eyes are not getting cleaned because of interruptions of your sleep patterns.  There are eye drops for dealing with allergies or dry eyes.  To be safe, consult a doctor.
1121117
sleeping is still one big unsolved mystery.. till now there is no clear definition on why does the body needs sleeping or what happens in the brain during sleeping hours .. actually all living creatures do need sleeping each their own way. We spend half of our life sleeping.. really strange !! As for your question.. closing your eyes, opening your hand, lifting your leg are all body acts that can't be compared to sleeping.
555767
your eyes dont close your eyelids do. thats why when you close your eyes and aim your face twards the sun you see red. when your eyes close they get rehydrated so they wont dry out
684947
Why do you have this obsession with weird sleep habits? (I just answered another of your questions regarding sleep.) Sleeping with your eyes open would be bad, since your eyes could dry out. As for sleeping standing up, I doubt that would be very good either.
977306
Lack of sleep in children can cause serious \nhealth problems.If parents follow some simple\ntechniques for making their children sleep,\nit can be avoided. I found useful information\nat http://nosleep.in/sleepchildren.html