When it comes to good health, there are some key pillars that everyone agrees upon:

1. Sufficient exercise
2. Maintaining a healthy body weight
3. A nutritious diet

But oftentimes, even people who tick these boxes can neglect one of the most significant factors affecting our health: Sleep. 

Part of the reason for this is that sleep is often seen as a simple, passive activity to recuperate for our waking lives. However, this is not the case! Science is beginning to understand that sleep involves many active restorative processes that are crucial for our health. 

Some of the important processes that occur during sleep:

• Your brain lays down new pathways that allow the formation of memories and learning.
• Chemicals that build up during the day are cleared from the brain.
• All the tissues and organs of the body undergo restoration and repair.

So based on that list alone, you can see just how important sleep is. When you get enough good quality sleep, there is a long list of benefits:...