Why is sleep important? Because getting a good night’s sleep has been linked to many, many health benefits. In comparison, sleep deprivation has also been associated with many negative effects, on both our physical and mental health.
In this blog, Dr Lindsay Browning explains why sleep is important. She explores the benefits and helps us to understand why it is important to prioritize, just like healthy eating and regular exercise.
Is sleep important?
Sleep is a vital pillar of health.
To be healthy and happy people should prioritise eating well, moving regularly (exercise), as well as getting regular good quality sleep.
There is no point only focusing on what you eat and neglecting exercise and your sleep, for example, because they are all important. Sleep is often neglected because when people are busy with jobs, family life and personal life, as well as caring responsibilities, sleep can be perceived as a luxury and something that should be sacrificed for other important tasks.
Furthermore, people may reduce how much time they allocate to sleep so that they can have more time to themselves, such as watching TV or scrolling through social media late at night. This is often called sleep procrastination, where someone delays bedtime so that they can have some time to themselves in the evening before going to sleep.
The benefits of a good night’s sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is associated with:
- improved mental health
- lower risk of heart disease and stroke
- lower risk of diabetes and obesity
- reduced risk of dementia
- improved immune system
- …and countless other things!
This short list alone highlights why sleep is important and why we should prioritise getting the right quantity, as well as high quality sleep. In addition, it is why we should look for support or help if we are having trouble sleeping, or suffering from more prolonged issues, such as insomnia.
From the conclusion of a 2019 paper in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, insomnia affects around a third of the population from time to time. Insomnia is 1 ½ to 2 times higher in women than men and increases with age. It is something that needs to be addressed if you think you are seriously struggling with sleep.
The importance of sleep and growing awareness
Thanks to the growing awareness of physical health, mental health and general wellbeing, as well as media outlets promoting the importance of sleep (the number of articles about how to get a better night’s sleep are ever increasing), people are starting to realise how important sleep is and taking action to improve their sleep.
As a result, lots of TikTok trends and hacks are popular for people trying to improve their sleep, especially people looking for an easy fix.
Also, with younger generations drinking less alcohol, they may be going to bed earlier than the pub and club going peers of previous generations.
This is all a good sign that the awareness and promotion of the importance of good sleep is going in the right direction.
My top recommendations for prioritising sleep and getting a good night of rest
Remember sleep is important
The reality is that getting a good night’s sleep is best achieved through lifestyle changes, rather than quick fixes or gimmicks. This includes:
- getting natural daylight exposure during the day
- exercising regularly
- eating a balanced nutritious diet
- reducing stress
- avoiding bright lights in the evening
- having a dark and quiet bedroom
- investing in a good quality mattress and pillow
- having a wind down time before bed or a consistent bedtime routine
If someone is significantly struggling with their sleep despite improving their lifestyle and sleep hygiene, then I recommend speaking to their doctor to find out if there is a medical issue, such as sleep apnoea or an iron deficiency causing their sleeping issue, or doing a course of CBT-i (cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia) would be the recommended treatment.
For more information about why sleep is important, as well as information, practical advice and guidance about sleep, do explore my book too: