Sleep is a requirement for normal human functioning, although, surprisingly, we don’t know exactly why! It’s reasonable to expect that our bodies would require a “rest and relaxation” period in order to revitalize themselves.Some important processing, restoration, and strengthening occurs while we sleep.

Sleep also helps us to solidify and consolidate memories. The facts and experiences of our day is processed and stored by our brain while we sleep. Research has shown that human beings perform better and they tend to retain information after having sleep.

So to summarize we need sleep to restore and rejuvenate, to grow muscle, repair tissue, and synthesize hormones.

We spend up to one-third of our lives asleep, and the overall state of our “sleep health” remains an essential question throughout our lifespan.

Most of us know that getting a good night’s sleep is important, but too few of us actually make those eight or so hours between the sheets a priority. For many of us with  sleep debt, we’ve forgotten what “being really, truly rested” feels like.

To further complicate matters, stimulants like coffee and energy drinks, alarm clocks, and external lights—including those from electronic devices—interferes with our  natural sleep/wake cycle.

Sleep needs vary across ages and are especially impacted by lifestyle and health. While adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night, one-year-olds need roughly 11 to 14 hours, school age children between 9 and 11, and teenagers between 8 and 10.During these critical periods of growth and learning, younger people need a heavy dose of slumber for optimal development and alertness.