The Reason for Sleep
Illustration by Luke Mills
We spend about one-third of our lives sleeping. And not because we’re lazy. Every living creature sleeps, from cats to dolphins, and even fruit flies — it’s an essential need for good health and survival. So, if sleep is a basic health need, why do so many people have trouble doing it?
Nearly a third of Americans say they sleep poorly or not enough. Our 24/7 culture makes it tough to get a good night’s sleep; we prize long work hours, fast-paced productivity, staying up late to socialize, and simply stiving for more. While lack of sleep can leave a person groggy, it can also signal a mental illness, make an existing problem worse, and increase the risk of mental health issues.
This episode explores the fundamental relationship between sleep and mental health.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Angela Davis
Angela Davis is a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of reporting and anchoring broadcast programs throughout the country. She’s currently the host of the award-winning program MPR News with Angela Davis. Her weekday talk show covers a wide variety of topics including racial disparities, mental health, education, economic issues and the climate crisis. Angela has won five regional Emmy Awards and two Gracie Awards for her work.
Jessica Bari
Call to Mind’s senior producer, is an award-winning producer and journalist. With an extensive focus in health news and programming—her work has been on national and regional public radio stations, PBS, Discovery channel, History channel and SiriusXM’s Doctor Radio channel.
Stephen Smith
Stephen Smith is Call to Mind's senior editor. He's a veteran journalist and the co-founder of APM Reports, the long-running documentary and investigative unit of American Public Media. Smith has reported on mental health, human rights, race relations, international justice and American history.