[A] good nights sleep now appears to be every bit as important to good health and long life as a nutritious diet and regular exercise.
“Sleep is in the top three,” says Dinges. “And I think its No. 1. Sleep is a biological imperative and not getting enough has health-related costs.”
In April, the Institute of Medicine issued a report confirming links between sleep deprivation and an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack and stroke.
Some scientists are exploring possible connections between inadequate sleep and a decline in immune function.
The above from a report in Monday’s Los Angeles Times, posted here by NewMexiKen at 3:42 AM because I can’t sleep. Some more from the LAT:
Sleep researchers have a name for the way the vast majority of people in this country sleep: volitional chronic sleep deprivation, and it is a lifestyle disorder.
Without enough sleep, the cost in reduced memory, focus, concentration and reaction time is well established. Incidents in the lore of sleep research include the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster. In each, key decisions were made by people who were sleep deprived.
But it’s only in the last half a dozen years that studies have begun to link chronic partial sleep deprivation to serious physical health consequences.
Money quote: “Sleep needs vary slightly, but the vast majority of people, experts agree, need just about eight hours of sleep each night to fully recover from 16 hours of being awake.”