With the pace of modern life seeming to increase every day, it is easy to suddenly find yourself feeling fatigued, drained and just plain run down. From working adults to young students, it is common to think that staying up later for just an hour or so is harmless. However, those extra hours of television watching, game playing or even working can add up and take their toll on our wellbeing.

This forms what is referred to as a sleep deficit, and can be as difficult to recover from as having a deficit in your bank account balance. Needless to say, getting adequate sleep is vital to a person's health.

In order to appreciate the value of a good night's sleep, it is best to first have an understanding of why we designed to need sleep in the first place. Here are a few ways that sleep - or lack thereof - can have an effect on the quality of your life.

 

By Paisley Hansen