Sleep is as vital for staying alive as food or water.

We all know the documented benefits of sleep for brain repair and memory consolidation, but sleep – or the lack of it – has been scientifically confirmed to have so many other effects too. Too little time in the land of nod messes with your emotions and your ability to make sound decisions. It affects your immune system, your skin, and your appetite. Lack of sleep has been linked to metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, and mental health problems including depression and schizophrenia. Lab rats deprived of sleep die within a month.

Sleep is so vital for good health and survival, yet most of us are failing to get enough good quality sleep. Two thirds (67%) of UK adults suffer from disrupted sleep and nearly a quarter (23%) manage no more than five hours a night.

In the articles and guides below, we tackle the questions that may haunt you in the wee small hours of the night, with tips and advice for getting better quality sleep. Like how can you get more sleep (read nap like a pro), or how many hours of sleep do you really need (read how much sleep do we really need).

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