Why do I need to worry about sleep?

If you are having problems with sleeping, you are not alone. Studies show that 1 out of every 2 Americans has problems with not being able to sleep at some point in their lives. And, almost 40 million Americans have sleep disorders.

We all know how great we feel when we've had a good night's sleep - we are ready to take on the day and handle whatever may come. But when we've had a bad night's sleep, we also all know the toll it can take on every part of our lives the next day. Sleep can affect not only how we function during the day, but it can also affect our physical and mental health. Not getting enough sleep, even just for one night, can affect our moods and our ability to focus, make decisions, and remember things. When we don't get enough sleep over a period of time, our "sleep debt" adds up and can cause serious problems, such as heart problems, depression, and anxiety. Over time, long-term sleep problems can also affect relationships, work, and quality of life.