This is a subject I’ve been diving deep into lately, and it’s something I feel I’ve overlooked for far too long. This straightforward yet profound life secret has the potential to turbocharge your concentration, amplify your decision-making abilities, and enhance your overall health. Are you prepared for it? It’s sleep.

Yes, you read that correctly. Sleep. It seems so fundamental, doesn’t it? But believe me, it’s far from simple. As a parent who has endured his fair share of sleep deprivation, I can assure you that the significance of sleep is beyond measure.

Roughly four months ago, I chanced upon the work of sleep scientist Matthew Walker. Since then, I’ve listened to numerous interviews with him and have been fascinated by his insights into the world of sleep. His research has led me to understand that sleep is not just about duration; it’s about depth.

Like many of you, I’ve always considered eight hours as the ideal benchmark for a good night’s sleep. But what if we’ve been concentrating too much on the duration and not enough on the depth of our sleep? What if you’ve been living with undiagnosed sleep apnea for most of your life, robbing yourself of the benefits of deep, uninterrupted sleep?

Walker contends that many of us are navigating through life in a state of chronic sleep deprivation without even being aware of it. There are numerous factors that can disrupt our sleep - from the apparent ones like having young children, to the less evident ones like the residual effects of caffeine.

Consider this: if you have a coffee at 1 pm, the residual effects of caffeine mean it’s still influencing your system at 7 pm, and its lingering influence is still in your system at 1 am. This could potentially interrupt your deep sleep and impact how you feel when you wake up the next day.

For me, comprehending and applying these insights has been a game-changer. I highly recommend exploring Matthew Walker’s work, either by watching his interviews on YouTube or reading his book, “Why We Sleep”.

Here are some other takeaways I got from his book

• Sleep is even more important to our health than diet and exercise
• There are strong links between consistent sleep deprivation to numerous health problems, including cancer, dementia, obesity, depression, and anxiety. Walker even goes as far as to say, "the shorter your sleep, the shorter your life".
• The Role of REM Sleep: Compared to other animals, humans experience a disproportionately large amount of REM sleep, which fine-tunes our emotional circuits and fuels creativity.
• The Impact of Modern Life: Walker discusses how modern life, with its artificial lighting and demanding schedules, disrupts our natural sleep patterns. He also highlights the role of caffeine, explaining that its residual effects can linger in our system for hours, potentially disrupting our sleep.
• Sleep and Learning: The book explains how sleep enhances our ability to learn. It not only frees up space for new memories but also helps us consolidate and remember new information.
• The Irreversibility of Sleep Debt: Contrary to popular belief, you can’t “make up” for lost sleep. Walker stresses that sleep for memory consolidation is an all-or-nothing event.

• Sleep Disorders and ADHD: Walker suggests that more than 50% of all children with an ADHD diagnosis actually have a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders can lead to symptoms commonly associated with ADHD, such as hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsivity. This is because inadequate sleep can affect the prefrontal cortex of the brain, an area responsible for executive functions like attention control and impulse regulation. Walker’s exploration of the link between sleep disorders and ADHD highlights the complex interplay between sleep and mental health, and underscores the need for a holistic approach to diagnosing and treating ADHD.

In conclusion, “Why We Sleep” is a wake-up call to society about the critical importance of sleep. It’s a compelling read that I believe everyone should delve into. It’s not just about understanding the science of sleep, but also about making necessary lifestyle changes to ensure we’re getting the quality sleep our bodies and minds need. So, my friend, let’s prioritise our sleep and reap its incredible benefits!

Until we meet again, sleep soundly and dream big!