The ignored pillar of health

The CDC calls it a public health epidemic.  New research suggests that insufficient sleep is more problematic  than most realize.  Lack of sleep can cause irreversible health and brain damages.  We are aware of the importance of sleep for mood and cognitive functioning.   However, serious health problems are being linked to sleep deprivation.  Experts say it’s also not something you can make up once it’s lost and people need to get over the idea that if they are sleeping they are being lazy or wasting time.  Most of us are not getting enough and do not make it a priority.  But sleep should be one of the 3 pillars of health along with nutrition and exercise.

Recommended amounts from the National Sleep Foundation

Newborns (up to 2 months), 12-18 hours

Infants (3-11 months), 14-15 hours

Toddlers (1-3 years), 12-14 hours

Preschoolers (3-5 years), 11-13 hours

School-age children (5-10 years), 10-11 hours

Teens (11-17 years) 8.5-9.5 hours

Adults (18 and older), 7-9 hours

sleep