Sleep Well, Think Well: Rest as Dementia Protection
Deep sleep isn’t laziness — it’s your brain’s nightly cleanse.
Sleep is when your brain takes out the trash. During deep sleep, the glymphatic system clears away beta-amyloid, a sticky protein strongly linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Without enough quality sleep, these proteins can build up and accelerate cognitive decline.
A large study found that people who consistently slept fewer than six hours per night in midlife were at a 30% higher risk of dementia (Sabia et al., Nature Communications, 2021). Sleep also consolidates memories, sharpens focus, and helps regulate mood — all vital for brain health.
Good sleep hygiene includes: going to bed at the same time daily, limiting caffeine in the afternoon, reducing screen time before bed, and creating a dark, cool sleeping environment.
Action Step: Tonight, set a consistent bedtime and wake time — even on weekends. Give your brain the regular rest it needs.