Why Sleep Is Our Most Important “Vitamin”

The cost of sleep deprivation is far greater than simply feeling tired. Sleep is a fundamental biological necessity that has a profound impact on our well-being, safety, and overall health.

Staying up late to finish urgent work or catch up on the news at the expense of sleep is definitely not the best idea. Here are 5 reasons why.

Insufficient sleep reduces alertness and is independently associated with an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes.

Compared with sleeping 7–8 hours per night, sleeping 6 hours was associated with a 33% higher risk of motor vehicle crashes.

Our immune system depends heavily on both the quantity and quality of sleep

People who habitually sleep fewer than 6 hours per night are more than 4 times as likely to develop) a common cold after viral exposure than those who sleep 7 hours or more. Insufficient sleep also can impair antibody production and reduce immune responses to infection and vaccination.

Sleep is critically important for emotional stability, cognitive performance, and decision-making

During sleep, the brain consolidates newly acquired information and memories. Insufficient sleep is associated with impaired learning and memory, and increases the risk of anxiety and depression. Individuals with insomnia had a more than twofold increased risk of developing depression compared with people without insomnia.

Adequate sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy body weight

Short sleep duration is associated with increased obesity risk. Meta-analyses show that adults with insufficient sleep have about 25–45% higher odds of obesity compared with those sleeping a normal duration.

Sleep deprivation raises levels of ghrelin (the hunger hormone) while lowering levels of leptin (the satiety hormone). It also reduces cellular sensitivity to insulin, which contributes to the development of metabolic disorders.

Lack of sleep accelerates aging and contributes to visible signs of aging

Studies have shown that sleep deprivation impairs the skin’s ability to recover from environmental stressors such as UV exposure. Shorter sleep duration has also been associated with accelerated telomere shortening, one of the biological markers of aging.

So, try not to neglect your sleep - and stay healthy!