Why do we need sleep?

Bedtime, it’s time to sleep! But you’re just on the last level of your favorite videogame. Wrong!

In fact, sleep is really important. You may think you don’t need to rest. Wrong again! Your body keeps working at night.

If you don’t sleep, you stop your body doing what it needs to do to keep you healthy.

But what does the body do when you’re asleep?

To start with, there are 2 important types of sleep. The first is deep, restful sleep that helps repair the body.

For example, after physical effort like a sports competition, deep sleep lasts longer.

When we’re asleep, the skin makes new cells. The body gets rid of its waste; you consolidate your memory.

But you also grow. During deep sleep, your body produces growth hormones. Children that sleep badly don’t grow as well.

There is also rapid eye movement sleep or REM. Your eyes are closed, but they move under your eye lids.

This is when you dream a lot! Your brain is very active; nearly as much as when you’re awake.

Even today, doctors are not sure what dreams are for. Yet we do know that REM sleep helps creativity!

A good night’s sleep helps your body stay healthy and fight sickness.

It also helps us to learn better, to be in a good mood and to be in top form. So? Still not sleepy?