Monday, August 4, 2025

Book Report 2025

 Book Report on Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker

"Why We Sleep" by Matthew Walker, dives deep into the science behind sleep and why it’s so essential to human life. Walker, a neuroscientist and sleep expert, breaks down how sleep impacts our physical and mental health, learning, memory, emotional stability, immune system, and even lifespan. The book doesn’t just explain what sleep does, it emphasizes what happens when we don’t get enough of it. One of the most surprising takeaways was how consistently bad sleep is linked to things like Alzheimer’s, heart disease, weight gain, and anxiety. Throughout the chapters, Walker uses relatable stories, research, and stats to show just how powerful sleep is, and how our society has completely undervalued it.

Favorite Part
My favorite part of the book was Chapter 6: "Your Mother and Shakespeare Knew." This chapter really stuck with me because it focused on the role of sleep in learning and memory; something that hits close to home as a student. Walker explains how sleep before learning helps the brain prepare to absorb new information, while sleep after learning helps “cement” that info into long-term memory. He compared it to hitting the "save" button on your brain. This reminded me of topics in our lectures about cognitive performance and self-control especially how lack of sleep can lead to impulsive decisions or poor academic habits. It also made me rethink the way I cram late at night. Turns out, pulling all-nighters can actually make you forget more than you learn.

Connection to Class Concepts
This ties in perfectly with our class discussions around self-regulation, reward systems, and procrastination. Sleep deprivation reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain responsible for decision-making and self-control. That explains why we procrastinate more, make worse decisions, and are drawn to instant rewards when we’re tired. I noticed this in myself on days I get less sleep, I tend to eat less weirdly, work less hard and push off tasks. The book backs this with science, which made me feel seen and also a bit exposed, in a good way.

Real-World Extension                                                                                                                           Reading this made me think about the way sleep is treated in our culture, especially in schools and work. It’s almost praised to be sleep-deprived, like it means you’re grinding harder than everyone else. But that mindset is draining us. If schools started later and employers prioritized rest, it could improve mental health, productivity, and even reduce diseases. Honestly, I think "Why We Sleep" should be required reading in high schools and colleges, it’s that important.

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