Why is Sleep Important?

Sleep is something you do every day, yet you probably rarely think about it unless you have trouble sleeping or had a really vivid dream the night before. It's one of the most boring times of the day, and you'd probably prefer some social media or late-night gaming. But sleep is important—in more ways than you might think.

Sleep makes you smarter

Yes, this is true! During sleep, your brain reorganizes information and collects what you've learned in the day that just passed. When you wake up, all that information is already neatly stored, ready to use on the next day's tests or assignments. When you sleep, your neuronal connections—bridges between your brain cells that help reinforce memory and learning—grow stronger.

Sleep stabilizes your mood

We've all had that one morning where lying in bed seems like all your body wants to do. Although mood swings, especially in the teen years, can be a common occurrence, good sleep can help with that. The same mechanisms of brain reconditioning that help you on tests can also improve your mood and overall mental state. Emotional memories are also regulated by brain functions during sleep.

Sleep keeps your hunger in check

Ever had a late-night snack, or slept poorly and resorted to comfort foods the next morning? Surprisingly, sleep plays a role in that too. During sleep, your body suppresses the release of ghrelin, a hormone which makes you hungry. Getting a solid night's sleep is key to body conditioning, as well as staying fit and healthy.

Sleep keeps your immune system active

Whether it's the common cold, COVID, or stomach flu, infectious diseases always seem to want to make our lives miserable. Don't worry, since sleep also protects you against these pathogens. During sleep, your body produces more immune cells and antibodies, and also produces cytokines, which are molecules that regulate the immune system. During sleep, cells are also repaired at a faster rate, keeping your body in top condition. These can have surprising effects later in life—poor sleep is associated with a significantly higher risk of major diseases, like diabetes or heart disease.

Sleep helps you grow

Besides the repairing of cells, active growth is also stimulated by good sleep. The release of growth hormone, which lengthens your bones, occurs primarily at night right after a typical sleep time. Poor sleep can mean lower growth hormone release and less overall growth. Other important body mechanisms, like muscles, are also conditioned during sleep.

Sleep is a crucial part of each day, so don't think those hours are a waste compared to chatting with your friends or even studying for a test. In many cases, sleeping well leads to a better-performing self the next morning, which is much easier than staying up late. No matter what, sleep plays significant roles throughout the body, and its importance shouldn't be understated.