“We all know the general rule of thumb is eight hours – but more specifically, it should be between seven-and-a-half and nine hours for adults aged between 18 and 64.”
We sleep for one-third of our lives. On average, that’s 26 years – 9,490 days or 227,760 hours. It’s something that’s described as the “Swiss army knife of health” as it’s essential for our bodies to function. When we sleep, our bones remineralise, our hormones reset, our brains detoxify, and our moods are regulated.
Without it, our immune system can weaken, the risk for certain cancers are believed to increase, and there can be issues with thinking clearly, amongst other negative health impacts. In the words of neuroscientist Matthew Walker: “When sleep is deficient, there is sickness and disease. And when sleep is abundant, there is vitality and health.”
So why don’t we always give it the attention it deserves?
