Why do we sleep?: the new science of sleep
Sleep is one of the most important yet least understood aspects of our lives. Until very recently, science had no answer to the question ofwhy we sleep, what causes this need, or why we suffer such devastating health consequences when we are deprived of sleep.
Compared to the other basic drives of life (eating, drinking, and reproducing), the purpose of sleep remains more difficult to decipher. Matthew Walker offers a groundbreaking exploration of sleep, examining how it affects every aspect of our physical and mental well-being in his bookWhy We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep.
Table of Contents
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The importance of sleeping well for your health
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Conditions necessary for a good night's sleep
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What are these problems?
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Why is Matthew Walker's book different, and how can it help us?
Matthew Walker is a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of Berkeley. Prior to that, he was a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. With the advantage of mastering more than one subject, in this case neurology, psychiatry, and psychology, Matthew Walker set himself the challenge of writing a scientific essay on theimpact of sleep on human health and diseases related to poor sleep.
But he did not want to write yet another textbook for future neurologists, psychologists, or psychiatrists to study; rather, he wanted to make the results of his research available to anyone who was interested in the subject but lacked the academic training of his colleagues. He therefore chose to write a book that was scientifically rigorous butaccessible to a general audience.
This is difficult to do successfully when discussing topics as complex as how the brain works. However, the opinions of readers who have approached the work Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep out of innate curiosity or in search of an answer to why they do not sleep well indicate that it is a book that is understandable to a large part of the population.
Therefore, it is possible to apply some of the conclusions drawn from Walker's studies to our daily lives. Reflected in this essay, this will help us achieve better rest, which will lead to a higher quality of life.
The importance of sleeping well for your health
Conditions necessary for a good night's sleep
- To sleep well, you need a room that is neither too cold nor too hot.Between 16 and 23 °Cis a good temperature for a restful sleep, although some people are more sensitive to temperature variations than others.
- You needa good mattress and a good pillow.
- Disconnect from digital devicesand lights with a high blue light component two hours before going to bed.
- It is advisable to sleep inloose-fitting clothing, bothfor the quality of sleep and to prevent circulatory problems.
- You should go to bedafter you have finished digesting your dinner,at least as far as your stomach is concerned. If you feel hungry before going to bed, this can be another cause of insomnia, so it is best to eat something light.
- Sometimesnaps interfere with proper nighttime rest.
Why do we sleep?
You have probably wondered at some point why we sleep, or why some animals sleep during the day and others at night. If you have spent more than one night awake, you will know how bad it feels, and if you suffer from a sleep disorder, you will be familiar with its consequences.
Sleep is as important a biological need as eating or drinking;it is essential for life.And yet, many of us sleep poorly. If this is the case for you and you want to know the causes, or if you are simply curious about one of the many mysteries of the mind that are not yet fully understood, read on.
There is now a scientific essay written in a way that is understandable to those of us who have never studied biochemistry or brain physiology. With Matthew Walker's book, you will finally understand why we sleep and how we do it.
Here is a relaxation session to help you fall asleep at night, from our podcast Dream with Morpheus,relaxation session.
