How many hours of sleep did you get last night? 6? 5? Or, maybe you did not sleep at all last night? Hi. I’m Reneeka Kumar, and today we’ll be looking over the importance of sleep. 

Grey faces with red, puffy eyes and hands holding cups loaded with caffeine. A modern portrait of today’s youth. Lack of sleep seems to be a plague among the youth. We exist in a constant rush, our schedules overflow with various tasks and responsibilities that demand our attention, and our rest usually ends up as the lowest priority on our lists. Most people do not give two hoots about sleep these days.

Why waste time sleeping when you can do so much, right? Correct me if I’m wrong, but sleep is seen as time wasted. A golden opportunity lost. Some proverbs warn you about being left behind while sleeping. Practically, in every language, we come across. There are idioms such as ‘caught napping’ and ‘burning the midnight oil.’ So, those who want to make something of themselves in life must not sleep. 

Studies show that an average adult sleeps for about 6.8 hours a night. In Japan, the national average is 5 hours and 59 minutes, representing a drastically low sleep average. Next on the list is Saudi Arabia with just 6 hours and 8 minutes. India lands 4th with a national average of 6 hours and 20 minutes. These numbers can kill us. We’re treading dangerous waters, my friend.

Now, the question arises: for how many hours do we need to sleep? Science says that an average adult needs to sleep at least 7.5 hours every night. In these 7.5 hours, a person completes five 90-minutes cycles. During these cycles, our brain moves from deep, non-rapid eye movement sleep (Non-REM) to rapid eye movement sleep (REM). The first couple of cycles are dominated by Non-REM sleep. It maintains our body, brain, and heart. The next set of cycles are required for processing and learning information gathered through-out the day. 

What are the effects of sleep deprivation? Science has linked poor slumber with a number of health problems such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Over time, lack of sleep and sleep disorders can contribute to the symptoms of depression and anxiety. It also leads to obesity. King’s College London conducted a study in 2016 where they found out that sleep-deprived people consume an average of 385-kilo calories extra per day. You’re dicing with death if you do not act now.  

Among teens, sleep deprivation is an epidemic. If you do not get enough sleep, you’re groggy at school. It also makes it hard to concentrate. You know the drill, we all have been there. The most recent national poll conducted across America shows more than 87 percent of U.S. high school students get far less than the recommended eight to 10 hours of sleep each night. As a result, people end up being less productive. 

Now that you know that sleep deprivation does more harm than good, what can we do to counter-attack this problem? 

1. Avoid using devices right before bedtime.n Most of us scroll through our devices right before hitting the hay. These devices emit blue light which boosts cortisol production in our body and hampers our sleep. 
2. Drink caffeine only in the morning. The more caffeine in your bloodstream, the harder it will be to sleep. Have a cup of coffee at 8 a.m., and you’ll still have 25 percent of the caffeine in your body at 8 p.m. Anything you drink after noon will still be near 50 percent strength at bedtime.
3. Wake up at a consistent time. Waking up at the same time every day sets the body into a regular circadian rhythm, and ensures you have better sleep. Teens need 8-10 hours of sleep, while school-children require 9-12 hours.

Our web-series can be paused and late-night conversations can take place in the morning, too. Work, career, and ambitions can take hold. Cause’ you know what, if you don’t sleep, how will we dream?