The Importance of Sleep
When you sleep, your body is doing much more than resting. It’s a vital part of the human body that helps support brain function, maintain normal physical health and boost your overall wellness. It’s no wonder that researchers say adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a night and that people who get less sleep have higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and depression.
A growing body of research suggests that sleep is critical for memory consolidation, which allows the brain to retain and recall information. Sleep also supports immune system function and helps the brain clear out cellular and protein debris that can lead to inflammation and cell death.
Scientists used to think that sleep was a passive state, but we now know it’s far from that. Not only is it physically active, but it also involves a complex series of behavioral and motor, sensory and physiological changes. It’s not easy to define exactly what is and isn’t sleep, but most definitions of the state include relaxing skeletal muscles and an absence of goal-directed behavior (although this can be broken in cases such as sleepwalking).
There are four stages that occur throughout the night. The first stage is non-REM or “deep” sleep. Then the brain shifts into REM or “dream” sleep. In REM sleep, eyes move rapidly behind closed lids and the brain waves are similar to those of wakefulness. Breathing also ramps up. This is when most dreams happen.
The last stage is more like a power-washing than a resealing of the driveway: It finishes the mental recovery work begun in deep sleep and then seals the job to preserve it for future use. It also completes the physical repair and restoration work that began during the first stage of sleep.
Sleep may help reduce your risk of certain chronic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity and depression. It may even help prevent some cancers and help keep your immune system strong. In fact, getting enough quality sleep is one of the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 factors for heart health, along with sufficient physical activity, a healthy diet, controlling cholesterol, blood pressure and not smoking.
You can optimize your sleep by maintaining a regular schedule, getting enough exercise and limiting caffeine and alcohol. It’s also helpful to avoid screens at least two hours before bed and to use a dark, cool environment for sleeping. There are many sleep products available, including smart alarms and tracking devices and eye masks. But the best sleep product of all is a good pillow and mattress. A new generation of wearables, such as the Oura Ring, can track your sleep and provide personalized tips to improve it. It looks just like a regular ring and is comfortable to wear while you sleep. Read more about this innovative device in the article below.