Parents of babies and toddlers know all about sleep deprivation and its negative consequences - reduced mental clarity, lower productivity and sheer exhaustion. But there are many other reasons people can experience difficulty falling asleep or sleeping through the night. Stress, anxiety, a too-active brain and the hormonal and physical changes that come as we age are just a few of them.
Sleep is so important to restoring our minds and bodies. Without proper sleep, we feel grumpy, sore and forgetful. I often go to sleep with achy legs and wake up after eight hours feeling restored. Lack of sleep is thought to contribute to more serious issues too - the sleep-deprived are more prone to obesity, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and high blood pressure.
