Why We Need Sleep
Sleep is often taken for granted, yet its role in our lives cannot be underestimated, as too little or poor quality of it can negatively affect us physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.
Sleep is one of the most significant lifestyle factors influencing our health and well-being, yet it’s one of the first things we compromise when life is busy. Or when there’s something fun to do or watch or read. Or when we have a big project and looming deadline.
While sleep is too often taken for granted, its role in our lives cannot be underestimated, as too little or poor quality of it can negatively affect us physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. The opposite is also true: When we prioritize sleep and make it a nonnegotiable health habit, it can help us look, feel, and function at our best.
Henry Emmons, MD, is a psychiatrist who integrates mind-body and natural therapies, mindfulness and neuroscience into his clinical work. He is the author of The Chemistry of Joy and The Chemistry of Calm, and founder of NaturalMentalHealth.com, a website devoted to making integrative mental health resources more accessible, affordable, and empowering. You can hear him on his weekly Joy Lab podcast and read his column, JoyLab, each month in Experience Life.
In this episode, Emmons delves into the critical role of sleep in overall health and well-being, including the following:
- If you have significant problems with sleep, your risks of developing depression or another serious mental health problem are double what they would be if you were sleeping well.
- Everyday mood is affected by sleep. Even one night of poor sleep can lead to feeling more fragile or stressed the next day.
- Sleep is when the brain cleans itself out, which is particularly important as we age. In deep sleep, the brain cells rest and shrink, which opens cleansing passageways, a.k.a. the glymphatic system. (Because the brain is contained in a hard skull, there’s no room for this cleansing pathway until it opens at night.)
- Our circadian rhythm — which our sleep cycle is part of — has a significant bearing on how our body works as a whole.
- Deep sleep is when a lot of physical healing occurs, metabolism has a chance to reset, and inflammation has a chance to tone down. Light sleep is restful and restorative. Dreaming sleep is when stress hormones, particularly norepinephrine or noradrenaline (the brain’s epinephrine), reduce dramatically.
- 5 Evening Routines for Better Sleep
- 6 Morning Routines for Better Sleep
- 11 Tips to Optimize Your Circadian Rhythm
- One Healthy Habit: Create a Nighttime Ritual
- The Connection Between Circadian Rhythms and Overall Health
- Circadian Rhythm: Why This Pattern Is Key to Your Health
- How to Stop Insomnia
- Sleep Yourself Well
- Which Nutrients and Supplements Can Help Me Sleep?
- JoyLab on Experience Life
- NaturalMentalHealth.com
- Joy Lab Podcast
Transcript: Why We Need Sleep
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The information in this podcast is intended to provide broad understanding and knowledge of healthcare topics. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of advice from your physician or healthcare provider. We recommend you consult your physician or healthcare professional before beginning or altering your personal exercise, diet or supplementation program.
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