Why We Sleep Book Review

Title: Why We Sleep
Author: Matthew Walker
Genre: Nonfiction, Science
Published: 2017
Pages: 340
Goodreads Rating: 4.39
Rating: 9/10

“When sleep is abundant, minds flourish. When it is deficient, they don’t.”

When was the last time you got eight hours of sleep? Do you know why the body needs sleep? Did you know that sleeping less than eight hours impairs your creativity, problem solving skills, decision-making ability, learning ability, memory, heart health, brain health, mental health, emotional health, immune system, and your life span? Want to learn more? Pick up Why We Sleep. 

“Why, then, would we expect sleep – and the twenty-five to thirty years, on average, it takes from our lives – to offer one function only?”

In Why We Sleep, Walker reveals groundbreaking research on the power of sleep. It becomes evident that sleeping is one of the most important but least understood aspects of our lives. And by sleeping, Walker means natural sleep. Not sleep brought on by alcohol or drugs. He dives into the different stages of sleep, what sleep impacts, how sleep patterns change over a lifetime, sleep disorders, and how to sleep naturally. By the end of the book, I felt enlightened and committed to an eight-hour sleep schedule and I bet you’ll feel the same. 

Walker’s writing style is one of my favorites because it is approachable, educational, and enjoyable. Many science books can feel like a lecture or a textbook. This is not the case for Why We Sleep. Walker shares fascinating and crucial research about sleep in a way that makes you want to keep reading. The only downsides of this book are that, at times, Walker can be a bit dramatic with some of his research conclusions and parts of the book are rather repetitive. But that should not deter you from reading it as soon as possible! 

If you are a curious individual or if you suffer from poor sleep habits or disorders, read Why We Sleep. It is an absolutely fascinating book covering a vital part of life that many people neglect. Along with The Body by Bill Bryson, Why We Sleep provides a brilliant way to learn something new that will make an impact on your quality of life.