Sleep is an essential function that allows you to recharge, leaving you refreshed and alert when waking up. Healthy sleep helps the body to remain healthy and stave off diseases. Sleep is also beneficial to your learning. It cleans up space in our brain for new memories and helps us remember further information. Without enough sleep, the brain cannot function properly. This can impair your abilities to concentrate, think clearly, and process memories. In addition, you’ll be less likely to retain information due to the connections in your brain not forming properly from rest. 

Not getting enough sleep (especially for developing kids) also impacts cardiovascular health like blood pressure and fitness level and many other health measures, including mental health behavior and performance. You will not be able to concentrate and solve problems as well. Lack of rest can also lead to aggressive or impatient behavior with others around you. 

All in all, We can never neglect sleep. But, on the other hand, sleep deprivation could kill you more quickly than food deprivation. So when you sleep nearly one-third of your life, know that you must take your quality sleep seriously because your health and overall well-being rely on it. 

What to Consider

• If you’re having trouble sleeping, a couple of things that help for me is focusing on my breathing (lower inhale count-longer exhale for repetitions) and clearing my mind entirely of information.
• Fun fact: When you blink your eyelids constantly for about a minute when in bed, it tends to help you ease into and fall right asleep.
• Be mindful of what you eat and drink before bed. Limit sweets and caffeine-packed drinks.
• Be active during the day. Physical activity can decrease stress and help you feel more relaxed, which can help people get a good night’s sleep.
• Monitor your sleep because your biological clocks are vital. Don’t be so sporadic with your sleep schedule. Try and set a sleep schedule by creating a set bedtime routine that includes waking in the morning at the same time and going to bed around the same time. 
• Supplements to consider that aid in a good night’s sleep and feel calmer: Melatonin, Magnesium, Tryptophan (5-HTP), and Ashwagandha
• Try and turn off all electronics close to an hour before bed. 

To finish off:

Most experts say adequate sleep is around 7-8 hours ideally a night (children preferably more). That’s not a bad metric to go off of. 

There are sleeper types in which specific individuals could function just fine without an adequate standard amount of sleep. But don’t get that confused as that is a tiny percentage of the world population. Please get your rest.