Health

Why We Sleep

Matthew Walker · 2017

Lindy Score

7,634·Classic

9 yrs

Age

7

Endorsers

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Why it endured

Neuroscientist Matthew Walker makes the case that sleep is the single most important thing we can do for our health, cognition, and longevity. Backed by decades of research, it permanently changed how millions of people approach rest — and revealed how catastrophically sleep-deprived modern society has become.

What they're saying

7 people recommend this book

Peter AttiaPhysician & longevity researcher

Matthew Walker's case for sleep is unassailable. If you read this book and don't change your sleep habits, you've missed the point. It's the single most impactful lifestyle intervention available.

The Drive Podcast

Bryan JohnsonEntrepreneur & longevity investor

Why We Sleep completely transformed my understanding of the most important daily behavior for longevity and cognitive performance. Sleep is not optional.

Twitter

Rhonda PatrickBiochemist & health researcher

Walker's research demonstrates that sleep is the foundation on which every other health behavior depends. It should be the first intervention, not the last.

Podcast

Bill GatesCo-founder of Microsoft

Why We Sleep is the book that forced me to take sleep seriously. Walker's research is alarming and life-changing.

Gates Notes

Sam HarrisNeuroscientist & author

Walker's work is a public health emergency in a book. The data on sleep deprivation is terrifying.

Making Sense Podcast

Simon SinekAuthor & speaker

After reading Why We Sleep, I stopped treating rest as laziness and started treating it as performance.

Twitter

Chris WilliamsonHost of Modern Wisdom podcast

Moving and comprehensive insight into the science of sleep—one of the most impactful books I've read for understanding how to optimize health and performance.

Modern Wisdom Reading List

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