Does your body know the difference b/w sleeping and not moving body parts, but being awake?

Question

I know the body repairs itself when one is sleeping. Aside from the brain (and probably heart), do the other body parts 'know' if you're sleeping, and behave differently even if you're not moving them?

So if I don't move my hand for 8 hours, is that the same as me sleeping for 8 hours?

Answer 1

No, the benefits you talk about from sleep are benefits in the brain. That's where sleep counts the most. Not moving your hand simply rests the muscles, does nothing really. The brain is what counts and that is what "recharges" when you sleep.

Answer 2

The only part of your body that actually requires sleep is your brain. So while you are technically correct that your body will heal injuries while you are resting or asleep, that is not necessarily the reason you need sleep.

I would love to elaborate more, but we do not currently know the function of sleep. Many studies have been done on the effects of sleep deprivation, and there is no shortage of theories, but none of them have been conclusively proven. We know that sleep IS required (you die without sleep), but not WHY.

So resting for 8 hours is NOT the same as sleeping for 8 hours.