“32.8 percent of adults report less sleep than is recommended” (Helpguide). Usually, from personal experience, people don’t get enough sleep because they stay up watching some sort of show, scrolling through social media, working on homework, or just feel like they have to get something done. Sleep seems to always come as a second priority to people, even though it should be the first. Getting enough sleep is the most important thing you can do for your body and mind to recharge for the next or rest of the day.
Sleep is the one thing that can recharge your body and mind. People may say that coffee and energy drinks are ways to wake up from not being able to get fully awake, but that is just a temporary way of getting energy. Yes, coffee has its benefits, like being more alert, but if you continue to rely on caffeine, if you stop out of nowhere, then you will get withdrawal symptoms, causing you to go back to coffee and stay addicted. An article written by Kristen Nunez and Karen Lamoreuz, and medically reviewed by Thomas Johnson, called “What is the Purpose of Sleep,” lists what sleep does: “The brain stores new information and gets rid of toxic waste. Nerve cells communicate and reorganize, which supports healthy brain function. The body repairs cells, restores energy, and releases molecules like hormones and proteins.” This is just to show how important sleep is and how this information can help motivate everyone to get more sleep.
Not getting enough sleep doesn’t just make you tired; it can also mess with your body in many ways. “Sleep deficiency can interfere with work, school, driving, and social functioning. You might have trouble learning, focusing, and reacting” (NIH). Not getting enough sleep can affect nearly every part of your everyday life because your brain and body can’t function properly. Your brain acts like a battery. Without recharging, it cannot power whatever it needs. For us, it’s the body, mind, and muscles. “Nearly 40% of adults report falling asleep during the day without meaning to at least once a month” (NIH). This shows how common sleep deprivation is, with adults feeling so exhausted that they fall asleep unintentionally, affecting productivity and effectiveness at the workplace.
Getting enough sleep is necessary for both the mental and physical aspects of your body. Many people may sacrifice their sleep to watch stuff on their phone, work, or other activities, but the long-term effects of this has such as sleep deprivation, can be tragic. And if you only rely on temporary energy boosters like coffee, Red Bull, and other energy drinks, they only cover up the issue rather than solving it. You must get the recommended amount of sleep for proper brain function, to restore energy, and just your overall health. Putting sleep first can help you get better focus and lead to a healthier lifestyle. Making an effort to improve your sleeping habits improves your mental and physical health.
