The Importance of Sleep — One of Life’s Greatest Miracles
Each night, when I go to sleep, I die. And the next morning, when I wake up, I am reborn. — Mahatma Gandhi
Sleep plays an integral role in our body, and it is a fact that no one can argue with. It is so important that sleep deprivation is one of the main contributors of deat in the United States, aside from obesity, alcohol, and drug abuse. Research has also shown that a person’s risk for heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and obesity increases if deprived of sleep.
The human body is an amazing creation. But, unfortunately, there was no written manual to guide us on how to maximize its use. So instead, we have been studying it and have done countless trial and error procedures throughout the ages to understand it. And in the advent of technology, it is only now that we have been able to study the human body and learn its complexities accurately.
Our body is bombarded with pollutants and toxins within the environment. From the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. To address these, the body undergoes a cleaning process called sleep each night.
Sleep does not only provide pleasure but also rejuvenates the body by getting rid of toxins and repairing the damages that it sustained from the environment. In addition, during sleep, the brain goes into overdrive and produces hormones like melatonin, cortisol, ghrelin, and leptin, all of which can help us feel less stressed and more energized in the morning.
There is no specific amount of time an individual needs to be asleep. To a varying degree, it all depends on the individual’s genes and age. Although based on clinical research conducted, the National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get 7–9 hours of sleep per night.
It’s important to try and get as much sleep as possible, even when it’s difficult. Having enough sleep is vital for our physical body and mental health. It also relieves stress, improves memory, lowers blood pressure, and helps boost the immune system.
Sleep is one of life’s greatest miracles. No one fully understands it. But as far as we know, while we sleep, the body cleanses, purifies and refreshes itself.
