Sleep debt is real and the interest rate is very high.

After dealing with babies who didn’t want to sleep or sleep for long for a few years, I found nothing that can reverse or help with the effects. Fuuuuuuuck. Get it where you can.

I’m a runner and I can definitely tell that the largest determining factor for my physical performance isn’t diet, days off, etc; it’s sleep. Sleep is SO important.

Edit: The others are still very important, but sleep is paramount.

That shit will catch up to you when you’re older.

Especially as one of the risk factors for dementia is sleep deprivation

I used to not get enough sleep. Now I drive every day. Huge incentive to sleep 8 hours a night.

I’ll compound this with also learning what sleep schedule works best for you. Some people require 10 hours, others 6. Some people do very well with polyphasic sleep, others just need one uninterrupted bout at night.

I usually sleep about 5.5 hours at night and I take a midday 20 minute nap, and I always feel very strong, energetic, lively. If I sleep 7+ hours at night I’m super groggy and have inflammation the next day.