The power of sleep

In our regular day, the first thing we often sacrifice is sleep. We give up minutes or hours of sleep for productivity, social obligations, or endless scrolling on our phones. Many of us think we have weekends to catch up on sleep, and there are even those who boast that they do not really need much sleep to function.

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But science tells a different story — sleep is not just a passive state of rest, but an active process vital to every part of our health — from our brain to our immune system.

Many still ask: What is good sleep, exactly? The National Sleep Foundation based in the US defines “good sleep” as getting seven to nine hours of uninterrupted rest for adults, falling asleep within 20 minutes of lying down, staying asleep through the night, and waking up feeling refreshed. These qualities of sleep are more important than simply lying in bed for a set number of hours.

Good sleep is essential because it is when the body conducts vital maintenance. During deep sleep, cells repair themselves, tissues heal, and growth hormones are released. The immune system is strengthened to fight infections. The brain consolidates memories, processes emotions, and removes toxins. Studies show that those who consistently get less than six hours of sleep are more likely to develop heart disease, stroke, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and depression.

According to a Philippine National Nutrition Survey, about 46 percent of adult Filipinos report poor sleep quality, while nearly 32 percent sleep fewer than six hours per night.

These statistics should cause us to worry because chronic sleep deprivation also impairs judgment, weakens the immune system, and increases the risk of accidents—whether on the road or at work.