An analysis of the Einstein Aging Study data showed that older adults who experience longer nighttime wakefulness tend to have slower processing speed, worse working memory, and worse visual memory binding. On an individual level, participants’ processing speed was slower after nights with greater-than-usual nighttime awakenings. The research was published in Sleep Health: Journal of the National Sleep Foundation. Sleep is essential for physical health, cognitive functioning, and emotional regulation. During sleep, the body repairs tissues, strengthens the immune system, and regulates hormones involved in appetite, stress, and growth. Adequate sleep supports memory consolidation and learning by helping the brain process and organize information. Poor or insufficient sleep is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, depression, and impaired immune function. Sleep quality is determined by examining how well and how continuously a person sleeps. Key indicators of good sleep quality include short sleep onset latency (falling asleep easily), low wake after sleep onset (minimal time awake during the night), and high sleep efficiency (most time in bed spent asleep). Feeling rested and …