Sleep; It is a part of our life, which is very important for the physical and spiritual regeneration of the body and preparation for the next day. Sleep constitutes 1/3 of our daily life. Sleep is a necessary physiological process that is thought to be necessary only for rest, but in fact, many functions such as regeneration, hormone balance, cell renewal, growth, and permanent memory take place.

Sleep-wake cycle; It occurs depending on the biological rhythm and the circadian rhythm formed by the repetition of the 24-hour phases is determinant. The strongest stimulus involved in the formation of the circadian rhythm is sunlight. Another function that occurs due to these stimuli is melatonin synthesis. Melatonin reaches its highest level in the dark and regulates the activity of this nucleus with its feedback mechanism. With the absence of light, neuroendocrine regulations change in the hypothalamus and the secretion or suppression of some hormones, especially melatonin, contributes to the initiation of sleep.

Sleep deprivation is one of the most common problems in modern societies. While 7-9 hours of sleep per day is recommended for a normal individual, it varies depending on age. While this period is longer in children, it decreases in old age.

Insufficient sleep; It causes fatigue, weakness, lethargy, depressed mood, decreased energy, poor concentration, loss of tolerance. Also, adults who sleep poorly are more likely to have chronic illnesses, including depression, arthritis, diabetes, and asthma. Recent studies show that there is a link between limited sleep and oxidative stress, and that sleep deprivation physiologically affects mitochondria.

As the source of cellular energy production, mitochondria play an important role in cellular energy metabolism through the production of various metabolites, including ATP. Acute and chronic stress factors affect various aspects of mitochondrial biology, and exposure to chronic stress can lead to molecular and functional disorders between mitochondria. Researchers suggest that one of the biological functions of sleep may be to protect against oxidative stress via mitochondria.

Energy metabolism and cellular antioxidant mechanisms that defend the body against oxidative damage are coordinated by the circadian rhythm (body clock), the body mechanism that adapts to the day/night cycle.

Disruptions in circadian rhythm can be an important initiation factor for diseases related to impaired mitochondrial function, including neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

In other words, we can say that insufficient sleep can affect blood pressure, heart rate, mental state, hormones and immune system and cause oxidative stress.

Moreover, shorter sleep, shorter life. Sleep deprivation in rats ultimately leads to death. Current findings show that individuals who sleep less than six hours a night have a 12% increased risk of dying early than those who get six to eight hours a night.