Insufficient sleep significantly impacts health, particularly in relation to cancer and cardiovascular conditions. Just one night of poor sleep, like four hours, results in a dramatic 70% decline in natural killer cells, which are vital for combating cancerous growths. Moreover, a global study surrounding daylight savings time shows that losing just one hour of sleep correlates with a 24% rise in heart attack incidents, while gaining an hour leads to a 21% decrease, illustrating the body's extreme sensitivity to sleep variations. Therefore, consistent sleep is crucial for maintaining immune and cardiovascular health.
Matthew Walker is Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and Founder and Director of the Center for Human Sleep Science. Check out his book "Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams" on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1501144316
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices