We all know that sleep is vitally important to our well-being and happiness. When deprived, it negatively affects both our character and judgment.  There are the obvious factors as to why you need sleep – drowsiness, fatigue, frustration, grogginess – but there are also many biological factors that go into sleep and what it does for your body and mind. Scientifically speaking, what does sleep do, and why is it so essential?

  • REM sleep. REM sleep is the deepest stage of sleep. This is when your dreams happen and your mental encoding processes prosper. That means that whatever you learned during that day gets filed into your brain and organized in a way that permits retrieval in the future. REM sleep is the most important stage. Scientists did studies on brain waves (they differ through the various stages) and they found that the more deprived you are of REM sleep, the quicker you go into that stage upon falling asleep. So they essentially concluded that your mind needs REM the most.
  • Metabolic rate. Sleeping helps regulate your body’s functions, and one of those is your metabolic rate. Sleeping helps get everything on track –
    ensuring that it’s all operating accordingly.
  • Helps stimulate creativity. Sleeping opens the brain up, allowing you access to its capabilities and freedom to think rather than just using your mind to wish you were asleep. A study from Harvard University and Boston College concluded that people strengthen the emotional aspects of a specific memory during sleep, which helps to stimulate creativity. Are you an artist? Go to bed.
  • Allows your body access to nutrients. As I mentioned earlier, sleeping is when you grow. It’s the only time that your body has set aside to really rest and bring in nutrients. Because of this, many people take casein supplements before sleeping. It’s a slow-absorption protein so that you don’t go eight hours without feeding your body and muscles – if you’re an athlete, I strongly recommend casein!

The benefits of sleep are overwhelming. Now I’m not saying quit your job and sleep all day, but put the phone or book down and just go to bed. Your body and mind will pay you back in the morning!