Sleep is a huge aspect of daily life impacting our physical and mental well-being. Sleep affects many things in our life including bodily function, memory, our moods, and our performance through the days overall. Not getting enough can cause many different issues and problems, hurting your body. According to Mental Health and Sleep, “Sleep is closely connected to mental and emotional health and has demonstrated links to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other conditions.” There has been much research on this issue and many studies show how our mental health is heightened or decreased based on our sleep schedule.

“Sleep is an essential and involuntary process, without which we cannot function effectively.” While we sleep we allow our bodies to repair and rest from the tiring day before. Not getting enough sleep can lead to many different health issues including obesity, diabetes, and even heart disease. Not having all of these makes us more vulnerable to getting them and even heightens our risk of contracting everyday illnesses.

Sleep also has a significant impact on our mental health. It has a huge role in our cognitive functions like our memory and learning. During our sleep, our brain processes and absorbs information from our day, helping with our long-term memory. Sleeping enhances concentration, creativity, and even our decision-making skills. Lack of sleep can lead to difficulties in focusing, mood swings, and increased stress levels. Sleep deprivation is also linked to other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. “Children and teens who are sleep deficient may have problems getting along with others. They may feel angry and impulsive, have mood swings, feel sad or depressed, or lack motivation.” Not getting enough sleep can also affect our attention span, leading us to forget about many things happening throughout the day. Prioritizing sleep is essential for maintaining a balanced and healthy life.