Most people think of sleep as a time when the body simply "shuts down." In reality, the opposite is true. While your mind and body may appear to be resting, your organs are hard at work carrying out essential maintenance that cannot be fully accomplished while you're awake.
Throughout the night, your brain cycles through different stages of sleep, hormones rise and fall, your heart and lungs adjust their activity, your immune system becomes more active, and your body repairs tissues damaged during the day. These normal physiological changes are critical for maintaining your physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.
Understanding what happens during sleep can help you appreciate why getting enough high-quality sleep is just as important as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.