Sleep is more than just a way to pass the time. It’s a necessary part of our health.

During the night, your brain and body do work that’s key to your health. Sleep helps you feel awake, alert, and rested during the day. It also keeps your mind sharp and focused, so you can concentrate and learn new things.

But sleep is vital for more than just feeling good — it’s also essential for keeping your body healthy. During deep sleep, your body works to repair muscles, organs, and other cells. It also releases growth hormones that help build muscles and repair bones and tissues. When you sleep, a higher level of collagen is released into the body — another important protein that helps strengthen skin cells and repair damaged ones.

Staying hydrated will also assist in the healing process (and keep you from being thirsty at night). Ensure you drink enough water before going to bed, so you won’t wake up thirsty in the middle of the night! Your body sends out white blood cells, proteins, and other substances to fight off germs and diseases while sleeping — but only if it gets enough rest.

Lack of sleep can decrease your resistance to infections by interfering with this process, so ensure you get enough rest.