Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams“Why We Sleep is an important and fascinating book…Walker taught me a lot about this basic activity that every person on Earth needs. I suspect his book will do the same for you.” —Bill Gates A New York Times bestseller and international sensation, this “stimulating and important book” (Financial Times) is a fascinating dive into the purpose and power of slumber. With two appearances on CBS This Morning and Fresh Air's most popular interview of 2017, Matthew Walker has made abundantly clear that sleep is one of the most important but least understood aspects of our life. Until very recently, science had no answer to the question of why we sleep, or what good it served, or why we suffer such devastating health consequences when it is absent. Compared to the other basic drives in life—eating, drinking, and reproducing—the purpose of sleep remains more elusive. Within the brain, sleep enriches a diversity of functions, including our ability to learn, memorize, and make logical decisions. It recalibrates our emotions, restocks our immune system, fine-tunes our metabolism, and regulates our appetite. Dreaming creates a virtual reality space in which the brain melds past and present knowledge, inspiring creativity. In this “compelling and utterly convincing” (The Sunday Times) book, preeminent neuroscientist and sleep expert Matthew Walker provides a revolutionary exploration of sleep, examining how it affects every aspect of our physical and mental well-being. Charting the most cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs, and marshalling his decades of research and clinical practice, Walker explains how we can harness sleep to improve learning, mood and energy levels, regulate hormones, prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s and diabetes, slow the effects of aging, and increase longevity. He also provides actionable steps towards getting a better night’s sleep every night. Clear-eyed, fascinating, and accessible, Why We Sleep is a crucial and illuminating book. Written with the precision of Atul Gawande, Andrew Solomon, and Sherwin Nuland, it is “recommended for night-table reading in the most pragmatic sense” (The New York Times Book Review). |
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - steve02476 - LibraryThingMixed feelings - a lot of important information about a subject I’m interested in. Easy to read, if anything a little too dumbed down for my tastes. I really didn’t like his writing style - nearly humorless and kind of ranty and approaching hysterical. Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - LynnB - LibraryThingAt times, an engaging exploration of sleeping and dreaming. At times, a bit mired in detail. I learned a lot from this book and am glad I read it. Two major complaints: First, the author seems to be ... Read full review
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Common terms and phrases
activity adults alcohol allowing amount appears associated awake become begin benefit biological body brain brainwaves caffeine called cause chapter circadian rhythm consequences consider cycle deep deep NREM described developing discovered disease disorder dreaming drug early effects electrical emotional especially evidence experience fact fall asleep feel findings function half human increase individuals insomnia lack later learning less levels light longer loss measure melatonin memory morning natural night NREM obtain occur offer older once participants patients pattern percent performance perhaps physical powerful problem question reason regions REM sleep remain response result risk scientific scientists short similar simply sleep deprivation sleep spindles sleeping pills stages studies suffering suggest temperature throughout true trying wake week young
Bibliographic information
| Title | Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams |
| Author | Matthew Walker |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | Simon and Schuster, 2017 |
| ISBN | 1501144332, 9781501144332 |
| Length | 368 pages |
| Subjects | › › Health & Fitness / Sleep Psychology / Mental Health Science / Life Sciences / Human Anatomy & Physiology |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |