Why We Sleep

Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams

By: Matthew Walker PhD PhD

Narrated by: Steve West

“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).

Most educational

This is by far the most educational book on sleep. The only way to improve your sleep pattern is to master the science behind. Besides giving the importance of sleep for health, the book also approaches several mysteries about dreaming and sleep which keep the book entertaining. However, do not buy unless particulary interested in sleep. But if you are, this is the best.

excellent

highly recommend this book if you sleep well poorly or not at all. The whole world needs o read this book as through a very methodical method explains how sleep and lack there of affects you mentally physically and emotionally.

This Should Be a Required Read in Every School and University

I don’t know why this is the first time that I’ve heard exactly how important sleep is on every aspect of your life. This is probably the best book I have ever read (listened to). I’m trying to implement these principles in my life and hopefully a lot of aspects of life, home, work, personal, etc. will get better. I can’t thank you enough Dr. Walker and hopefully this isn’t the last thing I read from you. I wouldn’t mind if you can out with sleep products either!

Get some!

I am a sleep deprived individual by choice, sometimes sleeping as low as 1-2 hours per day and trying to make it up on Saturday by getting around 9. I love working at night because as an on the side artist I seem to have more inspiration when there is quiet. Main job is on a night shift as well.

Mainly decided to read this book after an extremely few hard weeks of working 120+ hours. My brain wanted to do more but my body felt like it was collapsing. This book has made me reconsider my choices and think of ways to increase my sleep time because dead people can’t do anything, and I still have many plans xP

Totally loved the fact that he actually presented tried methods instead of random theories. Recommend this book to all coffee junkies like myself. Hopefully on the withdrawals side and getting past it lol

Thank you for writing this book!

Well written, well narrated , felt sleepy while listening ( which according to Matt is a compliment) but it emphasizes the calm voice of narration
Excellent book and have recommended my friend circle to listen/ read already !
pD

Did not expect how important this book would be

sleep had never been a problem for me until recent years. so I took it for granted, usually getting 8 hours of sleep and playing catch up on the nights when I couldn't, getting extra sleep the next night. I had no idea the effects on health and aging of inadequate, irregular, or disrupted sleep. this book was well performed by the narrator (although be forwarned, he speaks with a British accent, if that is bothersome to you), well-researched, and well-told.

good value, but sometimes repetitive

I'd say that on the whole it was great and I learned a lot of useful stuff, but sometimes I felt that the information I was receiving had already been covered before or simply wasn't all that relevant. This was only occasional, but I figured it might help to just say that if you ever feel like skipping around a bit, you probably aren't missing much. my reccomendation is to use this book to get the essentials and to get some interesting info on studies surrounding sleep and whatnot, but you probably don't need to read every word to get the same amount of value.

worth getting past the first few chapters

I agree with the other readers who found the first few chapters kind of deadly. Printing the PDF does help, but still...uuuuggggghhh.

But keep going: it's worth it! There are some really interesting details about animal sleep and then the important stuff, why we need sleep, how beneficial it is, the social pressures not to sleep, the damaging impact of the macho idea that needing a full night's sleep is lazy...

I was worried that this book would treat sleep as the solution to all ills, some kind of panacea. It kind of does, except I think it's more or less right. I think at least some parts of this text will resonate with your experience. I took notes on relevant issues as I went and wow, I will definitely be changing my behavior. This is a big deal...I have had family and doctors ordering me to sleep more for my entire life and I am finally changing my ways. Thank you, Dr. Walker.

Sleep for a better you, and a better world.

Matthew's book explains how sleep, or the lack of it, impacts nearly all aspects of our well-being, simultaneously dispelling myths and misunderstandings about it. He also explains how the lack of sleep impacts society. Thankfully he provides expert insight into how individuals can improve thier sleep, as-well-as how NICU and ICU outcomes, students ability to learn, etc. can all be improved. I highly recommend that you read this book and take action to improve your sleep.

Definitely a Must Read for Everyone!

Loved the book and actual facts and definitely a must read for everyone... but I can’t stand when people talk about evolution BS (we now have 2 eyes because billions of years ago blah blah blah) PROVE IT!!! Otherwise this book is definitely in my top 10.