Ideas change everything

The surprising health benefits of dreaming

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Matt Walker |

Sleeping with Science

• November 2021

When you fall asleep and start dreaming, you're actually doing very important work. According to sleep scientist Matt Walker, dreams act like a form of "overnight therapy." In fact, your dreams may even boost your ability to solve problems and process tough emotions that affect your waking life.

Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

When you fall asleep and start dreaming, you're actually doing very important work. According to sleep scientist Matt Walker, dreams act like a form of "overnight therapy." In fact, your dreams may even boost your ability to solve problems and process tough emotions that affect your waking life.

Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

About the speaker

Sleep scientist, professor, author

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Matt Walker is a brain scientist trying to understand why we sleep.

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Sleeping with Science

Sleep — we spend one-third of our lives doing it, but what exactly do we get out of it? And how can we do it better? In this TED series, sleep scientist Matt Walker uncovers the facts and secrets behind our nightly slumber.

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Why We Sleep

Why We Sleep explains how caffeine and alcohol affect your sleep. What really happens during dreaming? Why do our sleep patterns change across a lifetime? How do sleeping pills affect us and can they do long-term damage? The book goes on to describe how we can harness sleep to improve learning, mood and energy levels; slow the effects of aging while lowering the risk of Alzheimer's, obesity and diabetes; enhance the education and lifespan of our children; and boost the efficiency, success and productivity of our businesses.