Sleep is not optional. It is a biological necessity, just like food, water, and air. Despite this, our culture often treats sleep as something to cut when life gets busy. It is sacrificed for work, social plans, or screen time. The truth is that consistent, quality sleep is foundational to nearly every aspect of health. Counselor Natalie shares, “Good, quality sleep isn’t a luxury or something that should be sacrificed for the sake of ‘productivity’. Ensuring I get 7-9 hours of sleep each night actually makes me more productive, more present with myself and others, and better able to handle challenges that come my way. Life becomes less overwhelming when you have the energy to attack it head-on, but the best way to do that is to prioritize good sleep.”
When you consistently sleep less than your body needs, you increase your risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, weakened immune function, weight gain, and depression. Sleep deprivation impairs attention, decision-making, and memory. It also disrupts hormonal balance and increases inflammation in the body. Over time, inadequate sleep contributes to chronic health problems and even shortened lifespan.
Reframing sleep as non-negotiable, something that deserves time and protection, can help shift both personal habits and cultural expectations. For example, protecting a regular bedtime and reducing evening obligations can help prioritize rest. Avoiding the temptation to “push through” fatigue and treating sleep with the same respect as nutrition or exercise is a major mindset shift that pays off in long-term well-being.
If you want to show up more fully for your relationships, your work, and yourself, start by getting the sleep your body is asking for. It is not lazy or indulgent. It is responsible self-care and an investment in your mental and physical health.
Dr. Garrett’s Sleep Resources
- Dr. Garrett’s Step-by-Step Sleep Guide_ How to Go from 5 to 8 Hours of Sleep per Night
- Dr. Garrett’s Top Sleep Recommendations
Recommended Books:
- Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
- The Sleep Solution by W. Chris Winter
Recommended Website:
- Sleep Health from Harvard Medical School: https://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu
Recommended App:
- Insight Timer: Free meditations, body scans, and bedtime music
References:
Grandner, M. A., & Drummond, S. P. A. (2007). Who are the long sleepers? Towards an understanding of the mortality relationship. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 11(5), 341–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2007.03.010
Medic, G., Wille, M., & Hemels, M. E. (2017). Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption. Nature and Science of Sleep, 9, 151–161. https://doi.org/10.2147/NSS.S134864
Walker, M. (2017). Why we sleep: Unlocking the power of sleep and dreams. Scribner.