The Importance of Sleep

Sleep is essential for mental, physical and emotional well-being. The human body and brain are complex systems that need to be properly nourished, repaired and restored every night to function properly. Without enough rest, you are at greater risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, obesity and other health problems.

A growing number of studies show that poor sleep is linked to an increased risk for certain chronic illnesses and conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, and more. Insufficient sleep also decreases your ability to fight off infections and heal after illness or injury. People with disabilities who experience challenges accessing health care services may be even more at risk of experiencing poor quality of sleep or under-treated health problems related to lack of adequate slumber.

Whether you suffer from an illness, disability or just don’t get enough sleep, you likely know that a good night’s rest is crucial for your mental health. In fact, a lack of adequate sleep can cause mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, and make it harder to recover from these conditions.

You may think that sleep is just a time to relax and recharge, but the truth is, your brain and body are still working while you’re asleep. In addition to helping your immune system function normally, it plays an important role in memory consolidation, muscle repair and restoring cells that are damaged or worn down during the day.

During a normal sleep cycle, you move through four or five cycles of stages three and four (NREM), followed by REM sleep, which is characterized by rapid eye movements and dreaming. These cycles are triggered by certain activities, such as sickness and exercise, and also by physiological changes that occur throughout the day, like an increase in body temperature and blood pressure.

The NREM phase of the sleep cycle is important for memory consolidation, a process that strengthens and integrates short-term memories into long-term ones. Sleep also helps clear waste products from the brain and restores cell functioning. Researchers have found that during sleep, the brain’s glymphatic system removes toxic byproducts of metabolism that build up throughout the day.

While you’re sleeping, your brain is also processing emotions and learning new information. A bad night’s sleep can affect your ability to recognize and react to your own feelings, as well as those of others. A prolonged lack of sleep can also lower your ability to cope with stress and lead to a greater risk of mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

You don’t have to go to bed at the same time each night, but you should try to have a regular schedule and stick with it, so that your body can “train” its internal clock. If you are not feeling sleepy at your designated bedtime, try relaxing activities, such as reading or taking a bath. It’s also best to avoid electronics and bright lights near your bed, which can disrupt the sleep-wake cycle.