Sleep is one of the most critical parts of our existence.  It is estimated that about one-third of our lives are spent sleeping.  While scientists don’t fully understand everything there is to know about sleep (including why we dream), there are some well-established facts about why sleep is necessary, as well as some of the consequences of sleep deprivation.

Here’s some of the things that we do know about sleep:

• Sleep helps our body systems to rejuvenate.  It especially keeps our immune system functioning at optimum levels.
• Sleep is the fertile ground for dreams, which are a bridge between our conscious and subconscious minds.
• Sleep helps us grow?  Yes, growth hormone is released during sleep!
• Sleep helps us conserve and rebuild.  If we never slept, our bodies — muscles, tissues, and organs — would never get a chance to rebuild and restore.  Our bodies are a lot like rechargeable batteries in that sense.

What happens when we don’t get enough sleep:

• Inability or difficulty concentrating
• Our reflexes are hampered, and we can’t react as quickly as someone who is not sleep deprived.
• We are more prone to disease
• We become more irritable
• May be associated with weight gain/obesity
• Extreme sleep deprivation can cause hallucinations or even death.

So, it’s pretty apparent how important sleep is though not everything is known about it at this point.  Just think of the last time you went without a full night’s sleep, and how it affected you the following day.  Remember, sleep is not a luxury, but a necessity!