Sleep is sleep, correct? Not really. There is good sleep – and well, the other kind. Restorative sleep is a term for the good kind, where you have spent enough time in each stage of sleep to feel good and refreshed in the morning. By the way, there are five stages of sleep, each lasting approximately 90 minutes.

Sleep - or the lack of it - affects many areas of our well-being. A good sleep helps the brain with memory and learning functions, as well as your mood and behavior. Waking up grouchy is probably the result of non-restorative sleep. Inadequate sleep can impair the nervous system and weaken the body’s immune systems.

There may be a number of reasons why a person is not getting adequate sleep, some physical, some psychological or emotional. Physical pain, illness, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome are just a few of the physical factors. Many times we cannot go to sleep fast because of stress or anxiety and end up lying awake worrying all night. Depression is also a known cause of insomnia.

Aside from affecting your productivity at work, sleep deprivation can have serious health consequences. If this is an issue for you, Stop, Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200! Call your doctor immediately. Even if you have a good idea what is causing your sleep problems, you can help your doctor out by keeping track of your daily routine – this could help to further pinpoint any other possible causes.

Start keeping track (in a notepad or journal) of each day’s events, stress levels, any medications taken, food, drinks and physical activity. Note whether or not you slept well that night. Before long, your sleep diary may reveal a trend.