About 50 to 70 million Americans have sleep disorders, and 1 in 3 adults do not regularly get the recommended amount of uninterrupted sleep they need to protect their health. Learn about sleep science and sleep disorders research supported by NHLBI.

A comprehensive new handbook from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) explains that sleep is not merely “down time” when the brain shuts off and the body rests.

Jun 15, 2022 · Getting enough quality sleep at the right times can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety. Learn how to figure out if you're getting enough sleep, what symptoms children show, and sleep and your health in this topic.

But sleep is as important for good health as diet and exercise. Good sleep improves your brain performance, mood, and health. Not getting enough quality sleep regularly raises the risk of many diseases and disorders. These range from heart disease and stroke to obesity and dementia.

Mar 24, 2022 · Learn how sleep affects your heart and circulatory system, metabolism , respiratory system, and immune system and how much sleep is enough. This brochure describes the differences between the types of sleep needed to feel awake and to be healthy and offers tips for getting a good night’s sleep.

Learn about the science of sleep, read tips for getting good sleep, and watch videos explaining common sleep disorders. You can also find out about the latest research.

Oct 28, 2013 · Sleep may help restore the brain by flushing out toxins that build up during waking hours. The findings suggest a potential new role for sleep in health and disease.

Scientists identified a gene that causes people to naturally sleep less than six and a half hours each night without any apparent ill effects. The findings reveal a mechanism affecting quality sleep and suggest an avenue to investigate for new sleep treatments. Getting enough sleep is important for good health and well-being.

Sep 5, 2024 · Sleep is an important part of your daily routine—you spend about one-third of your time doing it. Quality sleep—and getting enough of it at the right times—is as essential to survival as food and water. Without sleep, you can’t form or maintain the pathways in your brain that let you learn and create new memories.

Learn about insomnia, sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder, and other sleep disorders. Get tips on how to fall asleep and sleep better.