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Why We Sleep

Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams

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Why We Sleep

Written by: Matthew Walker PhD PhD
Narrated by: Steve West
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About this listen

 “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). Biological Sciences Mental Health Physical Illness & Disease Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Sleep Disorders Human Brain Physical Exercise Health Inspiring Meditation Longevity Medicine Physiology Alzheimer's Disease Substance Abuse Cognitive Science

Editorial Review

During a lifetime, the average human spends approximately 26 years asleep. It might sound like a long time dedicated to rest, but as leading sleep expert Matthew Walker explains, so many of us aren’t getting nearly enough—and it’s having surprisingly far-reaching consequences.

Why We Sleep is an in-depth exploration of sleep. It reveals why we do it, what it’s good for, and what happens when we don’t do it enough. A professor of neuroscience and psychology, author Matthew Walker teaches us just how devastating the consequences of insufficient sleep can be. Yet, rather than scare listeners, his audiobook’s aim is to educate and raise awareness of the importance of making sleep a priority—not simply to avoid the negative ramifications but to reap the rewards of a good night’s rest as well.

Narrator Steve West shares the vital knowledge of Why We Sleep with listeners in a smooth, articulate, and well-paced voice. West has performed more than 200 titles and won over a dozen awards, and his experience and expertise are evident in his ability to make even the more technical aspects of sleep science accessible and easy to understand.

One of the world’s leading authorities on the topic, Walker has published more than 100 scientific studies on sleep. His first audiobook, Why We Sleep urges listeners to take sleep seriously and make quality time for rest.

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Most Relevant
this book has truly opened my eyes to the importance of sleep. I have completely reprioritized my health habits to first optimize for sleep over all else and I will be buying a hard copy of this book for all of my family and friends.

Sleep>Nutrition>Fitness

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This book is phenomenal. Very insightful. Helps you understand how sleep is the panacea. I'm reconsidering my life and how I analyze public policy. I've been recommending to everyone I know!

Potentially life and society changing!

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This book is a must read/listen to anyone and everyone, especially parents. Matthew Walker pulls presents the work in a clear and concise manner, walking through the numerous findings of the recent research in sleep: why we sleep, how we sleep, what sleep does, what sleep does not do and the terrors that not sleeping enough exacts on our bodies and minds. Steve West does a great job with the narration, keeping a clear, steady tone throughout.

If you need any motivation to go to bed earlier, stop staring at screens at night or to stick with your children's often daunting sleep training, this book will provide all the motivation you need ... and a whole lot more. Since listening to this I have dramatically changed my sleep habits for the better :)

Amazing, insightful and scary

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The Audible pdf should include the summary of sleep tips and other keys points to motivate the listener to improve their nightly sleep.

I highly Recommend this book

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I really loved this book, but I really struggled to enjoy the narration... an elitist British accent with zero personality. Ugh. If you can get past that, you’ll find the content, supporting research and findings utterly fascinating, revolutionary and super relevant. This book will answer every question you ever had about sleep and it will help you to diagnose, understand and treat your sleep problems and enhance positive sleep habits.

Utterly fascinating, revolutionary and relevant

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