Why is sleep important?

 

Sleep is an essential component of good health. Chronic sleep deprivation contributes to many illnesses, including high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes.

We tend to take sleep for granted. It is often the first thing to go when we are juggling our busy lives. Many of us find ourselves saying, “I’ll sleep when I’m older” or “I’ll sleep when I’m dead”.

A common myth about sleep is that it is a “rest or recharge” and that the brain simply shuts off. This is not true. In fact, the brain is very active (if not more than during waking hours) during sleep and performs many important functions. So, we need to prioritize sleep.

Source: Why Sleep Matters, Harvard Medical School Healthy Sleep