There are not many things that are more relaxing than a good night’s sleep.

But that is not the only reason sleep is important; it greatly contributes to our physical and emotional well-being. Our body needs about eight to 10 hours of sleep daily; and there are many health benefits that should prompt us to get the desired amount.

Studies have shown that the right amount of sleep can actually help us become thinner. Common sense says that more time sleeping would lead to less time eating, but that is not the only reason. Sleep deprivation negatively affects those hormones that are concerned with the body’s appetite. A Bristol study showed that those people who sleep for five hours a day have 15 per cent more ghrelin (a hormone that increases hunger) in their bodies and 15 per cent less leptin (which suppresses hunger) as compared to those who slept for eight hours a day. Sleep can be seen as a sort of ‘brain food’. It may be tempting to stay up half the night cramming for an exam or finish preparing for the seminar the next day. But studies show that working into the night slowed down thinking skills at that time and also during the next day, while a good night’s sleep would make one more energized and alert the next day, a much better combination! Losing 90 minutes of sleep reduces daytime alertness by 32 per cent. While resting a process called memory consolidation takes place when the brain processes the day and makes memories.

It is true that sleep actually boosts our immune system. Melatonin, a cancer fighting antioxidant is produced when we sleep; it help suppresses the growth of tumour. Exposure to light reduces the level of melatonin formed; hence those people who work the late shift suffer from a higher risk of breast and colon cancer.

Sleep regulates chemicals, such as serotonin produced in our body. A deficiency of serotonin can cause depression and low self-esteem. Getting the right amount of sleep is important to combat depression. The wrong amount of sleep can also lead to stress. The body’s functions are put on high alert and this causes an increase in blood pressure. Higher blood pressure increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

The problem with missing sleep is that sleep is cumulative. If you miss one day of sleep its effects are felt the next day and missing several days of sleep leads to sleep deficit. This creates problems by hampering reaction time, judgment, short-term memory, performance, vigilance and patience.

There are clearly many reasons to have a good night’s sleep. The problem that arises is that in today’s busy world eight to 10 hours of sleep are seen as more of a luxury than necessity. But getting the right amount of sleep is vital. Naps are a good way of making up for lost sleep. An afternoon siesta should be encouraged as the person naturally experiences more drowsiness about eight hours after waking. A mid-day sleep or power nap can make one feel more alert and reduce stress. It reduces moodiness, increases patience and efficiency, and improves memory.