4 Great Books on The Importance of Good Sleep (for Teachers and Students)

Share this post:  
           
"When it comes to health, there is one criminally overlooked element: sleep." A good night's sleep is inestimable to our neuropsychological functioning. Good sleep as Marrhew Walker (see his book below) stated is integral to the consolidation of our memories and helps in better retention of learned information. Citing several scientific studies, Walker empirically demonstrated the importance of sleep to the learning process. Students who sleep better are found to be more likely to academically achieve better and retain information at an increased rate than those who do not. In short, sleep is an important element in our overall wellness. As Walker contends the trio that underly good health is exercise, diet and sleep but not any kind of sleep, it is the nocturnal sustained good sleep.


The purpose of this post is to highlight the importance of good sleep for us teachers, educators, and also students. To this end, I curated for you this list of excellent reads that explain in an accessible scientific language why we need to reconsider why, how, and when we sleep. I have already read the first three titles, or better listened to their audio version on Audible, the last book is on my to-read list. Whether you sleep the normal nightly hours or not, the books are packed full of interesting facts and insightful ideas on the centrality of sleep in our life. You and your students will absolutely learn a great deal from them. 

Please note the links below are Amazon affiliate links.





"In Sleep Smarter, Stevenson shares easy tips and tricks to discover the best sleep and best health of your life. With his 14-Day Sleep Makeover, you’ll learn how to create the ideal sleep sanctuary, how to hack sunlight to regulate your circadian rhythms, which clinically proven sleep nutrients and supplements you need, and stress-reduction exercises and fitness tips to keep you mentally and physically sharp."



"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."



"Beginning with an in-depth explanation of the circadian clock—why it’s important, how it works, and how to know it isn’t working—The Circadian Code outlines lifestyle changes to make to get back on track. It's a concrete plan to enhance weight loss, improve sleep, optimize exercise, and manage technology so that it doesn’t interfere with your body’s natural rhythm. Dr. Panda’s life-changing methods show you how to prevent and reverse ailments like diabetes, cancer, and dementia, as well as microbiome conditions like acid reflux, heartburn, and irritable bowel disease."



"If you want to fix your sleep problems, Internet tips and tricks aren’t going to do it for you. You need to really understand what’s going on with your sleep—both what your problems are and how to solve them. The Sleep Solution is an exciting journey of sleep self-discovery and understanding that will help you custom design specific interventions to fit your lifestyle."