For those of us who thrive on productivity and accomplishing daily goals, it might seem like a good idea to cut back on sleep in order to make more time for checking off tasks on our to-do lists. You can’t accomplish anything while you’re asleep, after all, so isn’t it just a waste of time? No, absolutely not. Our sleeping hours are perhaps more crucial than you could imagine, and the truth of the matter is that losing sleep will actually hurt your productivity, not to mention quality of life. You should never sacrifice sleep, and here’s why:

• Getting good sleep every night keeps the diseases out of sight
  When you skip sleep, your immune system takes a hard hit. When your immune system is compromised, you become more susceptible to all sorts of illnesses and diseases. Sleeping eight hours nightly is a great way to stay healthy during your time here on earth. 
   
• Sleeping heals
  If you’re experiencing physical pain and don’t know why, it is most likely because you’re not sleeping enough. Work on sleeping for the recommended eight hours and you’ll notice your aches and pains begin to subside. 
   
• Your brain does important work while you sleep
  While we sleep, our memories from the day are being solidified and filed away. If you don’t get enough sleep, or don’t sleep at all, you won’t hold onto as many memories from that day. This means that whatever you learned that day, you’ll probably have to re-learn. So, if you’re trying to get ahead in school or the workplace, or really advance in any area of your life, missing sleep is sure to slow you down and hold you back. 
   
• Your safety depends on sleep
  When you don’t sleep, you’re not alert. When you’re not alert, and your response time is slowed down, you’ll easily get yourself into unsafe situations while driving, walking, or even doing things around the house. Being well rested fortifies your motor skills so that you can register danger and stay away from it. 
   
• Healthy metabolism relies on healthy sleep
  Sleep deprivation is proven to have a negative impact on metabolism, slowing it down and potentially causing weight gain. If you’re trying to lose weight or simply looking to maintain your current weight, getting the right amount of sleep is key. 
   

While some people intentionally skip sleep, others try their best and still don’t get what they need. If that’s the case for you, don’t worry and don’t be too hard on yourself. Looking into herbal medicines, nightly sleep meditations, and sleep-encouraging exercises will help guide you in the right direction. 

If you don’t get the sleep your body needs to be healthy, you won’t be able to live the life you love. Cutting into sleep to make more time for things you want to do may seem like it gives you more hours of living and expands your possibilities, but it’s not a sustainable approach and will ultimately deplete your mind and body’s resources. Instead of saying ‘I’ll sleep when I’m dead’, say ‘I’ll sleep now, and may live longer because of it.’