Is sleep important?

Did you know that we spend a third of our lives sleeping? Sleep is considered to be one of the three pillars of long-term good health, alongside healthy eating and active living. However, many see it as a waste of time; people sleep on average one hour less per day than their physiological needs. Good sleep is more than restorative. While sleeping, your body produces a growth hormone that helps children to mature and the time spent sleeping helps the brain to assimilate whatever was learned during the day—at any age! Also, your body secretes a hormone called leptin, which decreases the feeling of being hungry. Sleeping therefore helps reduce the risk of becoming overweight!