Lacking quality rest? It is a bigger problem than you might think.

With each passing year, people grow more conscious and mindful about their overall wellness. We have become more attentive to what we eat by opting out of sinful junk food. In the same vein, we count the number of hours we spend on the treadmill at the gym. However, there is one particular area that many have forgotten to take into account in their endeavor to become healthier – sleep. It is critical in leading a healthy lifestyle – here’s why.

A study done by The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has revealed that an individual should get at least seven hours of sleep every night. While this is not surprising in the least, the Center for Disease Control has reported that not getting sufficient amount of rest is becoming a public health epidemic. Many are not anywhere close to achieving the optimum number of hours of sleep per night.

One theory for this disconnect is that there is widespread misunderstanding of how sleep impacts our wellbeing. There is a growing body of evidence that indicates getting an insufficient amount of sleep every night could have detrimental effects on your health. On top of the familiar grogginess, irritability and reduced mental alertness, it has now been shown that a lack of sleep might eventually lead to more grave side effects, such as obesity, stroke and heart disease, among other ailments.

It has also been found that getting poor sleep might be just as harmful as not getting sufficient sleep. According to Nathaniel F. Watson, President of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, victims of Sleep Apnea and insomnia were especially at risk. This condition, which causes intermittent breathing difficulties during sleep, can lead to irregular heartbeats, increased blood pressure and stickier blood. Naturally, this leads to an increase in risk for stroke and heart disease.

The results of these studies highlight the importance of restorative and deep sleep as part of a healthier lifestyle. Watson added, “Some people view sleep as an obstruction to success, and we would rather have people view it as a tool for success. We want people to prioritize their sleep and understand that it is as important to their overall health as diet and exercise.”