Some years ago, as a new mother, I read somewhere that I should sleep whenever our newborn son would sleep. You would think that I would be well-rested, as babies sleep most of the time.  Nothing could be farther from the truth because, back then, nap time for baby would mean time for me to do chores, time to get a bite to eat, or even time to take a quick shower.  And bedtime would often be broken by hungry cries, or cries for a diaper change.

After the babies have grown, parents should have more time to sleep. But many adults with school-aged children or older admit that they don't get enough sleep, or that they sleep late. 

Parent or not, a late bedtime can then lead to the proverbial midnight snack, which then leads to weight gain. Studies have shown that a person who sleeps just 4-5 hours a night will tend to eat more calories the next day. People also eat more when they are tired.

Sleep is essential for good health, giving the body time to restore and repair itself. Hormones are secreted by the brain during sleep and this may help cell regeneration and muscle growth. Other hormones which affect appetite are also affected by sleep, with lack of sleep increasing one's appetite. Sleep is also vital for healthy aging.

Upon awakening from a full night of sleep, individuals should feel rested and energized, ready to go. Not getting enough sleep can make you feel tired and sleepy during the day, resulting in poor performance and reduced productivity. This can also have adverse effects on your immune system. Lack of sleep also increases your risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, anxiety and depression.

Getting more sleep improves mood and well-being and has been shown to even help with weight loss. One study showed that when participants established a bedtime routine consistently for two weeks, they got one-and-a-half hours more sleep and lost one pound. This may not seem like much at the beginning but can add up to shedding unwanted pounds over time.