Sleep is the answer

Sleep bolsters your memory: When you press save in a word document, it takes the computer nanoseconds to retain the memory. While we are awake, our version is coined stabilization and it takes our brains approximately six hours to do the same task. While we are sleeping, consolidation occurs. During this time, your brain is busy processing your day, making connections between activities, feelings and memories. Dreams and deep sleep are an important time for your brain to literally make memory.

Sleep is a naturally reoccurring tune-up: Sleep is an instance for your body to mend damage caused by stress, ultraviolet rays and other harmful exposures. When your body has exposure to anything damaging (ozone, pesticides, oxidation) your cells are compromised and diminished. As you are sleeping, your cells produce more protein, which in turn, form the building blocks to create new, or repair damaged, cells.

Whether you are the obedient, well-to-do sleeper, the "stuff happens" will-pull-an-all-nighter-if-I-need-to sleeper or the usually over-caffeinated napper (rather than sleeper) I hope I've helped and I hope we've advanced farther than the ancient Greeks mentioned earlier. Plan your sleep accordingly (and I will attempt to as well).

Joey Roberts is currently the 800 meter school record holder of Texas A&M's track team. Upon achieving his bachelor of science in civil engineering in May 2012, Joey plans to explore a master's and doctorate's degree in environmental engineering. As an avid runner, Joey is passionate about his wellness, which sparked developments in his personal attitude, fitness and diet.