The Power of Sleep

Why is sleep important to you? Recent findings suggest that investing in sleep health contributes to maintaining brain health, and ultimately protecting cognitive functions necessary for aging-in-place. Consequently, sleepiness is a cause of motor vehicle crashes, occupational errors with hazardous outcomes, and difficulty performing daily tasks. Sleep and wakefulness disorders affect an estimated 15-20 percent of US adults who are more likely to suffer from chronic disorders including depression, diabetes, cancer, and more. Sleep should be considered just as important as eating right and getting enough exercise. Adults should aim for 7-8 hours of sleep, while teens need up to 9 hours a night. But getting good sleep goes beyond being in bed for a set number of hours. The quality and timing of sleep are two other important factors for getting proper rest each night. 5 tips to improve the quality of your sleep Societal and health consequences of insufficient sleep are explored in “Sleepless in America” produced by National Geographic Channel in collaboration with The National Institutes of Health. The documentary explains how research is changing our perception of sleep, sleepiness, and its importance to health. You are subscribed to HHS.gov Updates for the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services. Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Like HHS on Facebook . Follow HHS on Twitter @HHSgov and sign up for HHS Email Updates. Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe | Contact HHS