Don’t Snooze on Sleep: Why Quality Rest Is Critical for Your Health
I’ve always understood the importance of sleep—both through my medical training and my work as a psychiatrist. But after becoming a mom, especially during the first few months when I was juggling clinical responsibilities and caring for an infant who wasn’t sleeping through the night yet, my appreciation for sleep deepened. When rest was fragmented and unpredictable, everything felt more difficult: thinking clearly, managing daily tasks, even maintaining physical health. It was a powerful reminder that sleep isn’t a luxury. It’s a biological necessity.
Sleep is when the brain does some of its most important work. During different stages of sleep, especially deep sleep and REM, the brain consolidates memories, processes emotions, and resets for the next day.
When we don’t get enough sleep, the effects show up quickly:
Concentration becomes harder
Memory slips
Emotions feel more intense or harder to manage
We become more reactive, less patient, and more vulnerable to stress
Over time, chronic sleep disruption can increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. It can also make recovery more difficult for those already managing mental health challenges. From a psychiatric standpoint, sleep is one of the most powerful tools we have for supporting emotional regulation and cognitive functioning.
While we sleep, the body is far from idle. It repairs tissue, regulates hormones, supports immune function, and allows vital systems—like the cardiovascular and metabolic systems—to reset.
Lack of quality sleep has been linked to:
Higher blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease
Disrupted blood sugar regulation and increased risk for type 2 diabetes
Weight gain, driven by changes in appetite hormones
Increased inflammation and reduced immune response
In other words, poor sleep doesn’t just make us feel tired—it impacts nearly every system in the body, increasing the risk of chronic illness over time.
As both a physician and a parent, I understand how deeply sleep shapes our capacity to function, connect, and thrive. No matter your age or stage of life, investing in healthy sleep is one of the most effective ways to protect your mental and physical well-being. It’s not always easy, especially in demanding seasons—but it’s always worth prioritizing.
To learn about treatment for insomnia, check out this blog post.
