The Science of Sleep

Book excerpt: From Ivy: We are sleeping less and less: statistics show that insomnia has reached pandemic proportions, and costs healthcare providers billions. Most of us spend a third of our lives asleep--our bodies insist on sleep; without it, we die. But why we sleep still remains relatively mysterious. The Science of Sleep explains the elements of the sleep state and explores the various sleep disorders and how their available treatments work. By offering an accessible account of sleep science, the book allows the reader to assess their relationship with sleep and craft their own approach to having a restful night with the maximum physical return.