Sleep is not merely rest—it is a vital, active process through which the body heals, recalibrates, and boosts immunity, with poor or insufficient sleep increasing risks of chronic diseases and mental health issues.
In the debut edition of HealthSense, “Why sleep is your body’s best medicine” is a compelling argument that underscores the vital role of sleep in maintaining health. “While you sleep, your body isn’t shutting down—it’s healing, recalibrating and fortifying.” Cells repair, the brain sorts memories, hormones rebalance, and immunity strengthens .
Experts warn that neglecting quality sleep carries steep costs. “Neglecting quality sleep doesn’t just mean waking up tired. It increases your risk of heart disease, weakens immunity, impairs memory, and can even contribute to serious conditions like diabetes, obesity, anxiety and depression.” The article highlights a public-health concern: over one-third of U.S. adults get under seven hours of sleep nightly, heightening risks of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression—Nigeria, though less documented, likely faces a parallel crisis .
So, how much is enough? Most adults benefit from seven to nine hours of sleep; children and teenagers need even more to support development and emotional regulation Crucially, duration alone isn’t enough—broken or shallow sleep yields similar fatigue to missing sleep altogether .
Improving sleep isn’t luxury—it’s essential. The piece advices adopting habits such as consistent bedtimes, reduced screen time before sleep, and a calm, dark, quiet bedroom. “Sleep isn’t laziness. It’s your body’s most powerful tool for repair, clarity and resilience.” In a culture that prizes busyness, choosing rest is “an act of strength,” because ultimately, “nothing restores you—body and mind—like deep, uninterrupted sleep.”