The Role of Sleep in Health and Well-Being

A good night’s sleep can help us to think, learn and act better. But many people don’t get the rest they need, and this can affect their health and well-being. Sleep deprivation is linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and other mental illnesses, obesity and chronic diseases such as cancer and dementia. Lack of sleep may also increase the risk of accidents that can lead to injury or death.

People often think that the brain and body are “dormant” during sleep, but research shows otherwise. During sleep, the brain is preparing to learn and remember, as well as performing other important functions such as clearing the waste products that accumulate in the brain and contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists are continuing to discover new information about what happens during sleep. Some of the discoveries are surprising. For example, researchers recently found that the brain has a drainage system for removing toxic proteins that can cause Alzheimer’s disease, and that it works twice as fast during sleep as when we are awake.

But understanding the role of sleep in overall health is still a bit like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Experts have identified many of the pieces and know what the big picture looks like, but they’re not yet sure how all the parts fit together.

For millions of people, sleep is disrupted by many factors. Electricity, computers and smartphones, overnight and irregular shift work, jet lag, poor diet and other lifestyle habits can all interfere with the natural course of sleep. Lack of sleep may reduce a person’s attention, concentration and reaction times and contribute to moodiness and fatigue. It can also lower immunity and increase the risk of a variety of conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, obesity and mental illness.

Most experts recommend getting about 7-8 hours of sleep each night to feel and perform your best. But how much you need depends on your individual body, especially your age and health. Children and teenagers need a little more than adults. During sleep, the body releases growth hormone that helps the body grow and repair itself.

Even one night of lost sleep can affect a person’s ability to concentrate, make decisions and perform physically demanding tasks. Lack of sleep may also impair memory and slow learning, and can increase the risk of depression, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. In fact, researchers have found that the lack of sleep is as dangerous to a person’s health as smoking and uncontrolled blood sugar.