Sleep and Stress: Opposite Concepts

Abstract

Sleep has a close relationship to stress. Therefore, sleep together with stress are in focus in this chapter. Even though we do not know exactly why we sleep, it is well established that sleep is good for both physiological and psychological health. Sleep can be measured objectively and subjectively, and both ways of measuring are important. Lack of sleep is related to poor self-regulation, which increases the risk of hostile behavior. Stress is necessary in the face of an acute stressor but dangerous and potentially disease-causing when chronic. Coping with stress adequately is therefore important. Moreover, the importance of recovery from stress highlights the relationship between stress and sleep.