Humans sleep because it is essential for multiple vital functions of the brain and body. Sleep enriches the brain's ability to learn, memorize, make logical decisions, and recalibrate emotions. It restocks the immune system, fine-tunes metabolism, regulates appetite, and dreams help with creativity. Sleep also plays a crucial role in preventing serious health issues such as cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and heart disease. Without adequate sleep, cognitive impairment and damage can occur, along with increased risks of severe health problems. Overall, sleep is necessary to maintain physical and mental well- being and promote longevity.
Key points include:
- Sleep supports brain functions like memory consolidation and emotional regulation.
- It strengthens the immune system and regulates metabolism and appetite.
- Sleep deprivation is linked to severe health consequences including cognitive decline and increased risk of major diseases.
- Dreaming helps with creativity and emotional processing.
These insights primarily come from neuroscientist Matthew Walker's work in his book "Why We Sleep," which summarizes decades of sleep research.
