Why Do We Need to Sleep?

Sleep is a necessity. However, let's admit it; sometimes, parents struggle to convince their children to take a nap. For kids, read more to know why you should listen to your mom and dad when they say it's time to sleep.

Why Exactly Do We Need Sleep?

Sleep is a necessary process that enables your body and mind to recover so you can wake up feeling rejuvenated and attentive. Good sleep is also important for keeping the body disease-free and healthy.

The brain cannot function effectively without enough sleep. According to Sleep Foundation, your capacity to focus, think clearly, and process memories may be hampered by lack of sleep.

Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Kids and teenagers require a lot more sleep, especially when they are younger than five years old.

Medical issues, work schedules, everyday worries, a noisy bedroom, and other factors can keep us from getting adequate sleep. An appropriate amount of sleep each night can be ensured with a balanced diet and favorable lifestyle choices, but a persistent lack of sleep is a problem for some.

What Happens If You Don't Sleep?

Sleeping is comparable to eating, which is among our life-sustaining activities. To make sure we eat the nutrients our bodies need to grow, repair tissues, and operate effectively, we feel hungry.

Hunger is a defense mechanism that has evolved to ensure that we eat. Sleep works the same way. Going without sleep will leave you sleepy.

Internal drives that are quite strong control both eating and sleeping. While going without food makes us feel uncomfortably hungry, going without sleep makes us feel excruciatingly tired, per Healthy Sleep.

According to NIH, sleeping is a basic need. If you don't get enough rest, you will suffer from sleep deficiency, which can lead to physical and mental health problems, injuries, decreased productivity, and an even greater risk of death because it can interfere with activities like driving.

Sleep-deficient children can be overly active and have problems with concentration. They may also misbehave, and their school performance will suffer.

Sleep deficiency is also linked to several chronic health conditions, including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression.

Can I Sleep Without Knowing?

Yes, it's possible to doze off without you knowing it. However, it's not normal when it happens regularly.

Narcolepsy is a rare disorder when one suddenly falls asleep without warning. It can happen anywhere and at any time, which is dangerous, especially when driving, Science Times reported.

Individuals diagnosed with this condition fall asleep while working, talking with their pals, or in the middle of any activity. They feel refreshed after a nap but will feel sleepy again shortly.

George Church is a narcoleptic. However, he credited his condition for his achievements.

He said most of his brilliant ideas came to him when he napped. He devised a quick way to read DNA and conceived editing genomes with CRISPR. He also built a new genome with off-the-shelf molecules amid his narcoleptic naps.

Check out more news and information on Sleep in Science Times.