Do Not Disturb: The Science-Backed Benefits Of A Good Night's Sleep

Is there anything that feels as good as getting into bed at the end of a long day? Deep, restorative sleep is something both our bodies and minds biologically crave—and the amazing thing is that we get to do it every single day.

The reality? Our bedtimes get disrupted by nightly scrolling sessions, the kids, pets, that new TV show with a cliffhanger at the end of every episode, stress, work obligations, late dinners, the list goes on. While we know we should be aiming for at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night, more than one-third of Americans actually don't get enough, according to the CDC1, which can mean bad news for our physical and mental health over time.

Thankfully, we've got an internal biological clock—our circadian rhythm—that nudges us when it's time to wind down and get that shut-eye. As daylight fades, our brain signals the release of melatonin to shift us into night mode and relax our bodies to sleep. We can help this natural process along with a few healthy bedtime practices, like dimming the lights and shutting off our screens. And for those nights we need a little extra help falling asleep, taking a high-quality supplement like Nature Made Melatonin one to two hours before bed can help kick our levels into high gear.

As if we needed any more convincing beyond our comfy bed, we break down why prioritizing slumber is so important below.