Getting a full 8 hours of sleep is the most important thing you can do for your physical health as well as your mental health.

According to a study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, you’re twice as likely to get into a motor vehicle accident when you only have six or seven hours of sleep instead of the whole eight hours. This is because sleep deprivation slows your reaction time.

Sleep restores the body and improves energy levels. If you don’t get enough sleep it can lead to a greater chance of developing mental health problems, and chronic lack of sleep will lead to depression, anxiety, and extreme irritability.

Sleep is also proven to increase your memory since as you sleep your brain continues to work to put together the memories from the day.

A good night’s rest is also a key factor in maintaining a healthy weight because sleep deprivation can have a significant impact on your body’s metabolic rate. Further, poor sleep increases your appetite.

A full night’s sleep increases physical activity and motivates you compared to a lack of sleep, which will  cause fatigue and sap motivation.