To sleep or not to sleep? While many of us may think, or even brag, that we do exceptionally well with only four to six hours of sleep per night, the health statistics relating to this inadequate sleep pattern are alarming and prove otherwise. In this episode of Discover Lafayette, HPHI's Tyler Lafleur discusses the importance of adequate sleep (eight hours per night) and why sleep is the #1 prescription for his clients who want to achieve optimal health. After listening to this interview, you'll never knowingly choose to skimp on your sleep again.

Twenty years ago, scientists believed that the main reason people slept was to "cure sleepiness" as it wasn't understood how lack of sleep triggers a myriad of changes in the physiological, emotional and mental states of the body. Today, it is well understood that sleep is one of the four main biological drivers that keep humans alive, along with food, water, and sex (for procreation). Sleep is so important that The Guinness Book of World Records has done away with the category of "going without sleep" because of the health dangers of severe sleep loss.

Historically, as humans have evolved, we have always needed the same amount of sleep. However, modern inventions such as the blue light emanating from our electronic devices and Daylight Savings Time have affected our natural circadian rhythms and ability of our bodies to produce melatonin while reducing cortisol levels so as to induce a healthy sleep state. Adding in stressors that our ancestors never experienced (demanding jobs, traffic woes, incessant pings from smartphones and computers) and the increasing societal pressure to get more productivity out of each and every day, has resulted in sleep being pushed to the bottom of the priority list of things that have to get done. Until recently, no one even understood that sleep was a critical factor in health and wellness.

Matthew Walker PhD's Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams (2017). New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, Inc., is a powerful tome full of the author's groundbreaking research on the benefits of sleep and the accompanying health issues generated from lack of restorative sleep. Tyler cited anecdotal evidence witnessed in executives he has coached that mirror the health issues discussed in Walker's book. Sleep issues are at the core of all health issues his clients present, whether it be obesity, cardiovascular, thyroid, cancer or autoimmune diseases.

"Scientists have discovered a revolutionary new treatment that makes you live longer. It enhances your memory and makes you more creative. It makes you look more attractive. It keeps you slim and lowers food cravings. It protects you from cancer and dementia. It wards off colds and the flu. It lowers your risk of heart attacks and stroke, not to mention diabetes. You'll even feel happier, less depressed, and less anxious." (The proven benefits of a full night of sleep.") Walker, Matthew (2017). Why We Sleep (1st Ed.) New York, NY. Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Healthy hormone levels are key to our health and sleep patterns, and cortisol and melatonin are at the forefront. Melatonin levels should increase gradually after it becomes dark outside to enable the body to wind down and enter a sleep state. As the night ends and the sun is about to rise, the cortisol hormone begins to rise between 4 and 6 a.m. to prepare the body to awaken. These natural rhythms are known as the circadian rhythm. Yet our modern lifestyle of watching tv, playing on the computer, answering emails and being exposed to incandescent lights till all hours delays production of melatonin and thus delaying the ability to sleep without artificial sleep aids such as Ambien, Xanex or alcohol. These artificial substances alter the body's natural ability to engage in each stage of sleep: light NREM s...