Cheating Ourselves of Sleep

Inadequate sleep has a negative impact on a number of our bodily systems, and it decreases our ability to fight off diseases and even our reaction time and mood, according to sleep specialists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. Most people need about 7-8 hours of sleep a night to function, but millions of people still don’t get enough sleep. Lack of sleep puts us at risk for depression, substance abuse, weight gain, and, in turn, type 2 diabetes. As Dr. Michael J. Twery, a sleep specialist at the National Institutes of Health, puts it, “Sleep affects almost every tissue in our bodies.” Experts recommend that you talk to your doctor about how much you’re really sleeping, and be honest with him or her to ensure you aren’t putting yourself at risk.

The New York Times, 6/17/13