Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. TAMPA (BLOOM) – Sleep often feels like an optional luxury rather than a necessity. Yet, sleep plays a critical role in maintaining ...

Understanding the Context

Sleep is a state of reduced mental and physical activity in which consciousness is altered and certain sensory activity is inhibited. During sleep, there is a marked decrease in muscle activity and interactions with the surrounding environment. Everyone needs sleep, but about one in three American adults don’t get enough of it. The consequences of sleep deprivation are serious, so it’s worth learning why sleep matters, how it works, and how to give yourself the best chances of getting a good night’s sleep.

Key Insights

Quality sleep means you are getting uninterrupted and refreshing sleep. Getting quality sleep is not just about how many hours you sleep, but how well you sleep. Sleep is a complex and dynamic process that affects how you function in ways scientists are now beginning to understand. This webpage describes how your need for sleep is regulated and what happens in the brain during sleep. Sleep is a body process that allows your body to rest, repair and restore itself.

Final Thoughts

You need sleep to function properly. Lack of sleep has links to many health issues. What exactly does sleep do for your body and mind? Here’s what researchers know about the science of sleep—including the stages of sleep, your biological clock, health connections and more. We seek out the latest scientific insights about sleep and turn our findings into simple-to-understand resources that help people get enough of the healthy, restorative sleep they need.