Why Do We Sleep?

Every living thing needs sleep; from the smallest insects to the largest sharks, organisms depend on sleep to help them function properly and feel great. Sleep patterns vary amongst individuals, and understanding the importance of sleep can lead to a healthier lifestyle.

So, why do we need sleep? Put simply, sleep allows our bodies and our brains to recharge in order to help us stay active and productive during our waking hours. Sleep significantly impacts brain function, which is responsible for keeping us alive and directing all other bodily functions. Sleep is pivotal to brain plasticity, or the brain’s ability to process information and adapt as a result of experience. If we don’t get enough sleep each night, then it becomes hard for us to remember what we learned during the day and it is much harder to retain information in the future. Sleep is also vital for other parts of the body. Without sleep, health risks increase immensely. Someone who doesn’t receive enough sleep may experience depression, high blood pressure, seizures, and migraines. The immune system can also be damaged from a lack of sleep, thus raising the chances of getting sick.

The amount of time a person spends sleeping depends on several factors including age, daily schedule, and ability to fall asleep. The average adult requires 7-9 hours of sleep, however, the average baby will rest for up to 16 hours every day. As our age increases, our sleep schedule tends to decrease. The amount of sleep one truly needs, of course, is consistent with an individual’s energy expenditure during the day. An adult working a desk job, for example, doesn’t use up as much energy as a professional athlete who practices several times a day, every day of the week. In this case, it would be expected that the athlete would need more sleep for recovery.

Unfortunately, people generally acquire less sleep than they actually need as a result of work, school, or other responsibilities. When we don’t get enough sleep over a long period of time, we can become sleep deprived. Sleep deprivation can result in daytime fatigue, crankiness, and eventually can lead to serious health concerns. Sometimes, people can “catch up” on sleep by sleeping for longer on days when they are less busy, however, this method isn’t always adequate.

Sleeping for an appropriate amount of time each night is essential to living a safe and healthy existence. The more we sleep, the better we will feel. Sleep promotes maximum productivity as well as provides our bodies with the rest they need to perform optimally.

Sperm whales sleeping vertically. All living things need sleep, even whales!

Picture Source: scientificamerican.com