This is the first in a series of re-released episodes from the Feel Better Live More back catalogue. I originally recorded this conversation over 4 years ago and Professor Matthew Walker is one of our most popular guests on the podcast.

Sleep is one of the most undervalued components of our health yet neglecting it can have devastating consequences. In this episode, I talk to world-leading sleep researcher, author of the international best-selling book Why We Sleep and Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology, Matthew Walker.

We discuss everything you ever needed to know about sleep. Matthew shares some brilliant tips to combat jet lag, explains how sleep can enhance athletic performance and decrease risk of injury and reveals just how much caffeine consumption can impact sleep. We explore the reasons behind the current global sleep-loss epidemic and how sleep deprivation can affect every aspect of our health – from our blood sugar levels and our risk of heart attack to our mental health.

Finally, we discuss alcohol’s impact on sleep and the staggering financial costs associated with lost sleep. Matthew also shares what he has changed in his own life since starting his research. This is an invaluable conversation – I hope you enjoy it!

Watch the video version of this interview in full below.