Virtually everyone knows someone who is a chronic insomniac or suffers from erratic sleep patterns. Needing adequate sleep to function well is a known fact but the reality is that most adults and many children suffer from sleep deprivation. Insomnia can cause an average of 11.3 missed workdays and $2,280 in lost productivity per employee per year.¹

Some people are so used to not getting enough sleep that they no longer pay attention to the risks of sleep deficiency. In fact, they may not realize that they’re sleep-deficient. Even with limited or poor-quality sleep, they may still think that they can function well. For example, drowsy drivers may feel capable of driving. Yet, studies show that sleep deficiency harms your driving ability as much as, or more than, being drunk. It’s estimated that driver sleepiness is a factor in about 100,000 car accidents each year, resulting in about 1,500 deaths.²

Drivers aren’t the only ones affected by sleep deficiency. It can affect people in all lines of work or study, including doctors, pilots, lawyers, mechanics and students. To add insult to injury, poor sleep can actually slow down metabolism, affecting weight gain and insulin levels.

Studies show that a good night’s sleep improves learning and problem-solving skills by helping you pay attention, make decisions and be creative. Studies also show that sleep deficiency alters activity in some parts of the brain that control emotions and behavior. Sleep deficiency has been linked to depression, suicide and risk-taking behavior.³

Aside from the self-discipline needed to adhere to regular bedtimes and to not succumb to sleeping in on non-work/non-school days, what you sleep on can make a huge difference in your pursuit of Active Wellness. Active Wellness For Life touted the importance of sleep for years before it became a hot topic and continues to advocate for an advanced magnetic sleep experience.
   

1 Kessler etal. Sleep, September 1, 2011. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21886353

2, 3 https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sdd/why