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Are You in a Sleep Debt?

Sleep is not like money. You can't save it up ahead of time and you can't borrow it. But, just as with money, you can go into debt with it. If you don't sleep enough, you "owe" more sleep to yourself. This debt can only be paid off by sleeping. You can't overcome it with willpower, and it won't go away by itself.

Sleep is an appetite, like hunger or thirst, and it's an easy appetite for your body to satisfy. To stop feeling hungry or thirsty, your body needs an outside source of food or water. To stop feeling sleepy, all your body has to do is throw the switch and go to sleep. Millions have a serious sleep debt. Most people lose sleep because they stay up too late or get up too early to give themselves a good night's rest. But many other people have sleep disorders that keep them from sleeping soundly enough to feel rested.

When your sleep debt gets big enough, there is nothing you can do that will keep you awake. You may feel awake because you're busy or excited, but as soon as you calm down your sleep debt takes over and your body goes to sleep. That's why some people feel awake when they are at a party, where there is a lot of stimulation. When they get behind the wheel of a car, the excitement wears off, the monotony of driving takes over, and sleep overpowers them. Partygoers are often driving drowsy and driving after drinking -- a particularly dangerous combination.

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