When you get a full night’s sleep, your body and brain rest. But getting enough good sleep isn’t always easy. A growing body of research suggests that lack of high-quality sleep may be linked to many common chronic health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, and poor memory. It also can negatively affect how well you learn, react, work, and get along with others.

Sleep is a vital human need fine-tuned by millions of years of evolution to enable basic functioning and maximize the odds of survival. Yet despite the importance of sleeping, millions of people get insufficient amounts of it. In addition, sleep deprivation can make it harder to recover from illness and injury. And it can cause a wide range of symptoms, from headache to memory loss.

The amount of sleep each person needs varies widely from person to person. But research has shown that the average person needs about seven or more hours per night to get adequate, high-quality sleep.

During sleep, the body and brain undergo critical repair processes that make it possible for people to live longer, healthier lives. In fact, a good night’s sleep has been convincingly tied to a healthier body (both inside and out), a better immune response, and a more positive mood and outlook.

At the biological level, the key change during sleep is a marked reduction in responsiveness, which is associated with a shift from active, waking neuronal activity to slow, synchronized, non-responsive activity. This has been interpreted as the result of a “thalamic gating” hypothesis, in which sensory inputs are blocked at the level of the thalamus and not passed to the neocortex during this phase of sleep.

As sleep progresses, the brain’s cellular activity slowly declines further until it enters REM sleep, in which eyes move rapidly behind closed lids and brain waves mimic those of wakefulness. During this stage, the brain produces hormones that regulate the metabolism, heart rate, and breathing.

REM sleep is generally considered to be the most important of all stages of sleep, as it’s during this time that the brain performs many of its crucial maintenance and repair activities. Insufficient REM sleep can significantly raise the risk of developing a variety of conditions, including depression, anxiety, and weight gain.

Thankfully, scientists are making progress in understanding the many factors that influence sleep and how to improve the quality of sleep. But in the meantime, it’s important to prioritize sleep — just like you prioritize eating well and exercising. For more tips on improving your sleep, visit the National Sleep Foundation(link is external) website.

A bed is a piece of furniture used for sleeping and rest. A typical bed consists of a frame, mattress, and box spring. Some beds also have a headboard and footboard. Beds can be made from wood, metal, or upholstered fabric. They can be low- or high-profile, with a standard or king-sized frame. Beds come in a wide variety of sizes and styles to suit individual tastes and sleeping preferences. A bed is often the focal point of a bedroom.

A bed is usually located in a private room, away from distractions like televisions and computers. A good night’s sleep is essential to maintaining health and productivity. A well-made bed can help you get the rest you need to feel your best.

How to Buy a Mattress

The best mattress for you will depend on your sleeping position, body weight and firmness preference. A bed that fits your height and body shape should provide sufficient support for your spine, so that you don’t wake up with a sore back. A comfortable mattress will allow you to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep through the night. It will also allow you to wake up feeling refreshed and energized.

Having the right bed environment is just as important as choosing the right mattress. A dark, cool bedroom with minimal stimuli is a good place to start. Avoid using your bed as a place to work or to watch TV, and reserve it for sleeping and sex.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a serious mental illness that affects people of all genders and ages. It’s characterized by episodes of uncontrolled eating, which are accompanied by feelings of shame and guilt. Although it’s not as common as other eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, BED is still a significant medical issue that can be fatal without treatment.

There is no known cause for BED, but it can be influenced by both genetic vulnerabilities and social factors. Research into the genes associated with BED has focused on a possible sensitivity to dopamine, a neurotransmitter that controls reward mechanisms in the brain. However, the current research is limited and more research is needed to understand the full causes of the disease.

Some people with BED have substantial body image concerns, which may contribute to their binge-eating symptoms. In addition, BED can lead to depression, anxiety and impulse control problems. People with BED also have a higher rate of hospitalization, outpatient care and emergency department visits than those who don’t have an eating disorder.

The Saatva Classic offers luxury without breaking the bank. Its high-density foam is more durable than other memory-foam mattresses, and it resists compression over time. Its medium firmness level is suitable for most sleepers, but Strategist New York deputy editor Alexis Swerdloff recommends opting for a slightly firmer option if you’re heavier than average. A layer of Brooklyn Bedding’s GlacioTex cover promotes airflow, helping you stay cool and dry while you sleep.