Sleep Resource Center
Health ConditionsSleep

Sleep

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Sleep is a naturally recurring state of reduced consciousness and responsiveness, essential for physical and mental health. While you’re sleeping each night, you might experience cycles of light and deep sleep, with dreams occurring primarily during the REM (rapid eye movement) stage. Consistent, quality sleep supports cognitive function, emotional regulation, and overall health, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Lifestyle factors, such as maintaining a regular sleep schedule and creating a conducive sleep environment, can help you achieve optimal sleep.

FAQ

How much sleep do adults need every night?
Sleep needs can vary from person to person, but generally, adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
Certain foods and beverages can disrupt sleep, including caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and foods high in sugar and saturated fat; large meals can also affect sleep. Conversely, eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can promote better sleep.
Steps you can take to improve sleep quality include maintaining a regular sleep schedule, creating a relaxing environment before bedtime, reducing light exposure in the evening, and shutting down all electronic devices an hour before bed.
Common sleep disorders include insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, night terrors, sleep paralysis, and sleepwalking.
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Everyday Health’s team of board-certified physicians and health professionals contribute to the creation and review of content, ensuring that the information is useful, up to date, and accurate.
Abhinav Singh

Abhinav Singh, MD

Medical Reviewer

Abhinav Singh, MD, is a board-certified sleep medicine specialist and the medical director of the Indiana Sleep Center. He is also an associate clinical professor at Marian Univers...

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Justin Laube

Justin Laube, MD

Medical Reviewer

Justin Laube, MD, is a board-certified integrative and internal medicine physician, a teacher, and a consultant with extensive expertise in integrative health, medical education, a...

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Kacy Church, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor
Kacy Church, MD, practices as a clinical endocrinologist with the Palo Alto Medical Foundation in Burlingame, California. She balances both outpatient and inpatient responsibilitie...
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Simran Malhotra, MD

Medical Reviewer
Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Simran Malhotra, MD, DipABLM, CHWC, is a triple board-certified physician in internal medicine, hospice and palliative care, and lifestyle medicine, as well as a certified health a...
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Jason Paul Chua, MD, PhD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Jason Chua, MD, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology and Division of Movement Disorders at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He received his training at th...

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Alex Dimitriu, MD

Medical Reviewer

Alex Dimitriu, MD, is dual board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. He helps his patients optimize peak performance by day and peak restorative sleep by night, and he brin...

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Chester Wu, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Chester Wu, MD, is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. He cares for patients through his private practice in Houston, where he provides evaluations, medication...

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Kara Smythe, MD

Medical Reviewer

Kara Smythe, MD, has been working in sexual and reproductive health for over 10 years. Dr. Smythe is a board-certified fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecolog...

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Resources
  1. Sleep. Cleveland Clinic. June 19, 2023.

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