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Sleep. It’s that thing we do every day that occupies about one-third of our lives, and it is literally one of the most important things we do every day. Anyone who’s ever slept poorly for a few nights in a row can attest to that. But for many, sleep is often the first thing to be sacrificed when juggling the many other demands of living. Culturally, we’ve even come to see sleep deprivation as some sort of symbol of strength, whereas our need for sleep is seen as a sign of weakness or laziness.

But here’s the thing: Sleep is a fundamental biological need, just like our need for food or water. And just as there are consequences if we deprive ourselves of food or water, when we sacrifice sleep, our bodies, our brains, and our behavior suffer. Studies show that sleep loss affects your health, your mood, your relationships, your productivity at work, and even the global economy.

Dr. Wendy Troxel, internationally recognized sleep researcher and clinician and author of the book “Sharing the Covers: Every Couple’s Guide to Better Sleep” will provide practical, concrete, and evidence-based strategies to maximize the quantity and quality of your sleep and will answer those burning questions you may have about sleep. How can you avoid letting work stress creep into bed? What is a sleep “divorce” and what does it mean if my partner and I choose to sleep apart? Through this talk, Dr. Troxel will demonstrate the vital importance of sleep for your health, well-being, and productivity and small steps you can take to improve your overall sleep health.

Dr. Wendy Troxel is a senior behavioral and social scientist at the RAND Corporation and an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh and University of Utah. She is the author of Sharing the Covers: Every Couple's Guide to Better Sleep and has given two TEDx Talks: "Why School Should Start Later for Teens" and "How to Sleep Like Your Relationship Depends on It." Dr. Troxel has discussed her research in interviews on CBS Sunday Morning, Good Morning America, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, MSNBC, and CNN, and she has a regular blog on sleep on Huffington Post. You can learn more about her here.