Why do we need enough sleep

One of the most recent and compelling explanations for why we sleep is based on findings that sleep is correlated to changes in the structure and organization of the brain. This phenomenon, known as brain plasticity, is not entirely understood, but its connection to sleep has several critical implications. It is becoming clear, for example, that sleep plays a critical role in brain development in infants and young children. Infants spend about 13 to 14 hours per day sleeping, and about half of that time is spent in REM sleep, the stage in which most dreams occur.

A link between sleep and brain plasticity is becoming clear in adults as well. This is seen in the effect that sleep and sleep deprivation have on people's ability to learn and perform a variety of tasks. This theory and the role of sleep in learning are covered in greater detail in Sleep, Learning, and Memory. Although these theories remain unproven, science has made tremendous strides in discovering what happens during sleep and what mechanisms in the body control the cycles of sleep and wakefulness that help define our lives.

While this research does not directly answer the question, "Why do we sleep? Getting adequate sleep the first night after learning a new skill is important for improving memory and performance.

Why Do We Sleep, Anyway? At a Glance Our bodies regulate sleep in much the same way that they regulate eating, drinking, and breathing. This suggests that sleep serves a similar critical role in our health and well-being.

Although it is difficult to answer the question, "Why do we sleep? Understanding these theories can help deepen our appreciation of the function of sleep in our lives. Hunger and Eating; Sleepiness and Sleep As with eating well, good sleep is a staple of optimal health. Arctic Fox at rest. Lions conserving energy after a meal. PET scan showing brain activity in a year-old. Bookshelf Siegel JM.

Clues to the functions of mammalian sleep. Porkka-Heiskanen T. Adenosine in sleep and wakefulness. Annals of Medicine. Our editors and medical experts rigorously evaluate every article and guide to ensure the information is factual, up-to-date, and free of bias.

Updated September 11, Written by Alexa Fry. Medically Reviewed by Dr. Abhinav Singh. The Importance of Getting Enough Sleep. Sign up below for your free gift. Your privacy is important to us. Was this article helpful? Yes No. Berger, F. Sleep and Your Health. MedLine Plus. National Institutes of Health.

Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Are You Getting Enough Sleep? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute. Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency.

Physiological Reviews, 93 2 , — Schwab, R. Overview of Sleep. Eugene, A. The Neuroprotective Aspects of Sleep. MEDTube Science, 3 1 , 35— Learn more about How Sleep Works.

Updated By Eric Suni March 10, Oversleeping By Austin Meadows November 3, By Eric Suni November 12, By Danielle Pacheco November 11, By Eric Suni November 4, By Rob Newsom September 20, By Jay Summer September 2, By Danielle Pacheco August 26, By Jay Summer August 26, What Kind of Sleeper Are You? By Danielle Pacheco January 8, How is Sleep Different for Men and Women? By Eric Suni November 13, Even one night of short sleep can affect you the next day.

How much sleep you need changes as you age. Getting enough sleep is important, but good sleep quality is also essential. Signs of poor sleep quality include feeling sleepy or tired even after getting enough sleep, repeatedly waking up during the night, and having symptoms of a sleep disorder such as snoring or gasping for air.

Better sleep habits may improve the quality of your sleep. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.

Sleep and Sleep Disorders. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Are You Getting Enough Sleep? Minus Related Pages. Age Group Age Recommended Hours of Sleep 1,2 Table showing age groups and recommended amount of daily sleep for each Infant months hours per 24 hours including naps Toddler years hours per 24 hours including naps Pre-School years hours per 24 hours including naps School Age years hours per 24 hours Teen years hours per 24 hours Adult years 7 or more hours per night.