Sleep is one of the strangest things we do each day. The average adult will spend 36 percent of his or her life asleep. For one-third of our time on earth, we transition from the vibrant, thoughtful, active organisms we are during the day and power down into a quiet state.

During sleep, brain cells actually shrink by 60 percent, allowing the brain’s waste removal system called the Glymphatic system to essentially “take out trash” more easily. Your brain is restored during sleep, and you wake up refreshed and with a clear mind.

Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation, which is the process that maintains and strengthens your long-term memories. Insufficient or fragmented sleep can hamper your ability to form both concrete memories and emotional memories.

Studies have shown that when you sleep 5.5 hours per night instead of 8.5 hours per night, a lower proportion of the energy you burn comes from fat, while more comes from carbohydrate and protein. This can predispose you to fat gain and muscle loss. All of this to say, that better sleep is critical for your mental and physical health.

Feature Image: Google

Picture Credit: Google

Source: Google