Why We Sleep
“Why We Sleep is an important and fascinating book…Walker taught me a lot about this basic activity that every person on Earth needs. I suspect his book will do the same for you.” —Bill Gates
A New York Times bestseller and international sensation, this “stimulating and important book” (Financial Times) is a fascinating dive into the purpose and power of slumber.
With two appearances on CBS This Morning and Fresh Air's most popular interview of 2017, Matthew Walker has made abundantly clear that sleep is one of the most important but least understood aspects of our life. Until very recently, science had no answer to the question of why we sleep, or what good it served, or why we suffer such devastating health consequences when it is absent. Compared to the other basic drives in life—eating, drinking, and reproducing—the purpose of sleep remains more elusive.
Within the brain, sleep enriches a diversity of functions, including our ability to learn, memorize, and make logical decisions. It recalibrates our emotions, restocks our immune system, fine-tunes our metabolism, and regulates our appetite. Dreaming creates a virtual reality space in which the brain melds past and present knowledge, inspiring creativity.
In this “compelling and utterly convincing” (The Sunday Times) book, preeminent neuroscientist and sleep expert Matthew Walker provides a revolutionary exploration of sleep, examining how it affects every aspect of our physical and mental well-being. Charting the most cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs, and marshalling his decades of research and clinical practice, Walker explains how we can harness sleep to improve learning, mood and energy levels, regulate hormones, prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s and diabetes, slow the effects of aging, and increase longevity. He also provides actionable steps towards getting a better night’s sleep every night.
Clear-eyed, fascinating, and accessible, Why We Sleep is a crucial and illuminating book. Written with the precision of Atul Gawande, Andrew Solomon, and Sherwin Nuland, it is “recommended for night-table reading in the most pragmatic sense” (The New York Times Book Review).
Reviews
Well written with depth on subject.
By سيف الشامسي
I wish I would have read this book as a young parent or even as a high school student. This could be a life changing read. Thank you Dr. Matthew Walker.
By uttz111
Educational, and either encouraging for those of you making an effort to get a good nights rest, or a wake up call to those who prioritize everything else except sleep.
By Docta_E
Good book
By isyL678
All my life I’ve considered myself to be a night owl,taking pride of how much I cam do on slivers of sleep. Now I fear I’ve cheated myself of a better life due to not getting enough sleep. It’s not too late though. I’m working on my sleep rhythm and focusing on my kids so they don’t suffer the same fate. This book does a great job of illustrating the importance of sleep, something I took for granted. Everyone should read this book to at least understand how many health and wellness issues are tied to the lack of sleep. We’ve poured so many resources into so many other sectors of health while completely ignoring sleep… That won’t happen with me and my family Amy longer! Thank you! -Robert Micheal Walker
By AverageTechGuy