Importance of sleep

Sleep is a complex process that reduces mental and physical activity which every individual undergoes on a nightly basis. While it is known that if we do not receive enough sleep our mood, cognition, and behaviour are affected, the exact primary purpose of sleep has not been discovered. There are however multiple theories that explain key functions of sleep. One idea is the energy conservation theory which states that during sleep a person's energy demand is decreased. [2] It was evolutionarily important to conserve energy throughout the day to enhance survival skills but even continues to be relevant today.

The restorative theory states that sleep allows the body to repair and restore resources that are used throughout the day. For example, after a hard workout, your body needs to recover and strengthen muscles and tissues to ensure a swift recovery. Cells and your immune system are supported during sleep helping to keep you healthy. Finally, sleep plays a large role in improving learning and memory. The brain does this by strengthening connections (by modifying synapses and consolidating memories) making it easier to learn and retrieve information. [2] So make sure to get a good night's rest before an exam. During sleep, your body enters a state designed to help you repair and recover by following a natural circadian rhythm.

The body's internal rhythm is maintained through a homeostatic and circadian rhythm which operates on around a 24-hour cycle. These cycles work together but differ between each person due to various reasons ranging from personal, to gender, and age differences. As mentioned before these two processes play a large role in controlling the body's internal clock and inducing sleep, along with other various body changes. Further research has shown evidence that there are specific genes that are so important in maintaining sleep and involved in the circadian rhythm that are known as clock genes. [3] This highlights that sleep is biologically driven to restore our body and well-being. Therefore, it is important to prioritize sleep for both cognitive but also long-term health benefits. Regardless if you are prepping for a final exam or recovering from a strenuous workout it is vital to emphasize good quality sleep. However, this is often sidetracked by the detrimental effects of screens.