15 Reasons Why You Need Less Sleep Than You Think

If we're being honest, we all know that we need less sleep than we think. We say it and then roll our eyes and laugh. And then, like clockwork: the reason why you need less sleep than you think will sneak up on you tomorrow morning. With a body-ache from sleeping on your back; with a mental fog from forgetting what day it is; with a roiling stomach as you head for the nearest bathroom to prevent vomiting (of everything); feeling like your brain has been wrung out like a dishcloth and left to dry in the sun for hours on end – there’s just no denying that sometimes our bodies just need more time to rest.

And that’s the thing about sleep: we have no idea what our bodies need in order to function properly.

When you ask someone why they need less sleep than they think, there’s always a slightly embarrassed “I don't know ... I suppose it’s just because I'm always working” and then a shrug, as if to say: "Hey, I dip into the office supplies until midnight on most nights! Which is technically stealing. But it’s also how I get things done." This article is for those who don't fall into this category those who actually know why they need less sleep than they think.

Whether you’re staying up late to finish a project, or you’re waking up early to get the most out of your mornings, it's important to understand your body, and what it needs in order to function at its best. Here are 15 reasons why you need less sleep than you think.

1. Sleep is an opportunity not just for rest, but also for growth.

It’s not enough that you get enough sleep, your body also needs deep sleep in order to sculpt itself. We restore and remodel our bodies during this phase of the sleep cycle, making sure damaged tissue is healed and other cells are replaced. Growth hormone is released during the deep sleep phase, which allows our bodies to repair themselves while we’re sleeping. So if you can't get a good night's rest, you may actually be harming your body in a number of ways.

2. Sleep is a chance to recharge your brain.

Forget the old myth that you can "catch up" on sleep if you've missed out on it, the reality is that the other phases of sleep (other than those where your body is repairing and growing) are just as important for your brain as for your body. Without a good night’s rest, you may be harming your ability to think clearly, learn and retain information, reason, problem solve and perform well at work and other responsibilities throughout your day.

3. Sleep keeps us emotionally balanced throughout our lives.

We all have bad days, but a good night’s sleep can help us keep an even keel. A lack of sleep is associated with things like depression, anxiety, irritability and mood swings. We’re not just talking about teens here adults deal with these things too! If you’re trying to get enough sleep so that you stay on top of your game at work or in relationships and family lives, then staying up late just because you can might not be as important as you think.

4. Sleep helps us live longer and healthier lives.

As we age, our need for sleep increases slightly. As we get older, our heart and lungs can become more sensitive to oxygen and other molecules that are found in our blood during sleep. This makes it even more important for us to have healthy sleep. Regularly getting enough sleep can also make us feel better mentally because it releases the feel-good hormone serotonin.

5. Sleep gives us energy, helps us recover from exercise and reduces pain, swelling etc.

Sleep is a time for growth, but when the body is completely depleted of ATP which is the main storage form of energy in cells, the synthesis of new ATP (and hence regeneration) cannot occur normally either because nutrient utilisation is dramatically reduced and because growth hormone release is inhibited by REM sleep deprivation .

6. Sleep gives our brains a break and reduces stress.

Without sleep, we are more easily affected by life's stresses, which is why it's important to get enough of it to deal with any stressors you experience (which we all do). If you're awake for long periods of time, your brain will continue sending stimulating signals to your body, sending it into fight or flight mode and that's not good for anyone! These happy hormones released during sleep are key for helping us get through our days in a calm way.

7. Sleep prevents depression and lowers the risk of suicide.

It's a common misconception that sleep problems are just a symptom of existing depression, but new research suggests that sleep problems might actually be an early warning sign for a depressive episode. Studies have found people with insomnia are twice as likely to attempt suicide than those without it. So if you already know or suspect you have depression, subsequent sleep problems may make symptoms worse and vice versa, if you're already having sleep issues, having them could worsen depression symptoms.

8. Sleep helps us become more creative at work and solve problems more easily.

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that people who stayed up late were more likely to be perceived as creative, while those who were well-rested were more logical. The sample was small, but it's an interesting result to consider if you find yourself working late into the night on a regular basis.

9. Sleep gives us a better memory. It helps consolidate what we learn and make sense of the day's events.

If you think about when you cram for an exam or study for a big presentation, sleep helps your brain make sense of that information by recalling it and learning from it. Sleep is important because it’s when new information and experiences are locked in the long-term memory. For example, if you've learned something during the day, but you weren't able to really learn it because you were tired, that information may not have been fully stored. So getting enough sleep will help you store it for later so that when you need to remember this info later in life, it will come back to your conscious mind quickly and easily.

10. Sleep helps us recognize our strengths and weaknesses.

Sleep helps us determine where we excel and what we need to work on. Studies have found that when we sleep, our brains are replaying and reconfiguring mental patterns constantly, which means that if you're sleepy, you should initiate conversations with your partner, learn a new skill or challenge yourself professionally. If you're able to do something quickly in your dreams, it might be a good idea for you to try doing it in real life so that the brain can learn from your body's reaction the next day.

11. Sleep helps us find true purpose in life and work.

Sleep is important because it separates the important things from the trivial ones. Once we understand what we need to do, it’s helpful to know that sleep will help us achieve these goals. It’s an important step in moving through life and building connections or understanding the world around you.

12. Sleep helps us build strong relationships with others as well as ourselves.

The ability to be close and connected with others is a key part of our evolution as a species, so when we don't take time for self care (i.e. sleep) it's detrimental to our interpersonal relationships. A lack of sleep makes us more easily angered and shy away from dealing with issues in healthy ways.

13. Sleep helps build a strong immune system, which protects us from disease and illness.

Getting enough sleep can help keep your body strong and ready to fight off any illnesses that may come its way. A study published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization concluded that increased sleep resulted in a stronger immune system, which was also associated with lower mortality rates that have been attributed to stress or weight gain (which both make the body weaker).

14. Sleep could make us happier people overall.

A study found that people who slept longer had fewer depressive symptoms and were more likely to feel cheerful in the mornings. Even though we might not be aware of how sleep affects our moods and emotions, it's definitely important to get enough of it to keep our spirits lifted and avoid any downfalls which could happen if we were constantly sleep deprived and frustrated like snapping at loved ones or feeling unmotivated throughout the entire day.

15. Sleep helps us take care of our bodies by keeping them in good health and performing at their best each day.

The aforementioned study in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization found that increased sleep resulted in better body health, which is good news for anyone who struggles with their weight or nutrition. Being regularly sleep deprived can easily lead to greater caloric intake and less physical activity, but there is evidence that healthy sleep habits help individuals control how much they eat and move.

In Conclusion

These are only 15 reasons why sleep is important but we're sure you can think of a few more! Sleep has been shown to improve productivity and increase your overall happiness, so it's important to make it a priority in your life. If you have trouble getting the amount of sleep you need, speak with a doctor who can help you work through your sleeping issues and help you get back on track.