While there is still much that is unknown about sleep, its importance in daily life is well-established, especially as the body of research has grown over the past few decades.
According to a summary of current research published by the US’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (Ninds), “everyone needs sleep, but its biological purpose remains a mystery. Sleep affects almost every type of tissue and system in the body – from the brain, heart, and lungs to metabolism, immune function, mood, and disease resistance. Research shows that a chronic lack of sleep, or getting poor quality sleep, increases the risk of disorders including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and obesity.”