If you’ve ever stood in the cereal aisle unable to make the simple decision between two brands, you’ve experienced the effect sleep deprivation can have on problem solving and decision-making. Sleep helps the brain process the events of the previous day and figure out which memories to store and which are unnecessary. This mental decluttering sharpens your brain for the next day’s challenges.

“Not sleeping causes you to have the kind of performance that’s the equivalent of blood alcohol level of .08, which is legally drunk,” says Dr. Ash. “On a daily basis, many of us are showing up to work or trying to solve problems as if we were intoxicated.”

This is why driving while drowsy is nearly as bad as driving while drunk. If you’re sleepy behind the wheel, you could conk out, says the National Sleep Foundation. Even if you think you can will yourself to stay awake, there’s no way for you to tell at which point your exhaustion will cause you to fall asleep. In fact, 37 percent of Americans admit to having fallen asleep while driving. If you notice you have difficulty focusing, are blinking or yawning often, didn’t remember passing an exit, have trouble keeping your head up or are weaving as you drive, it’s time to stop and get some rest.

Dream a Little Dream
We don’t just need any kind of sleep to perform well at tasks. The “dream” stage of sleep, called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, is crucial. In fact, studies show that when deprived of REM sleep, people are unable to remember how to perform a task taught to them the day before.

Bolster Your Emotional Resolve
When children get tired, the slightest word or look can turn them into a puddle of tears or a screaming tantrum. Adults have this same urge when we are tired; we’re just (usually) able to suppress it. The problem is that not getting good sleep consistently can lead to more than a tantrum. In some cases it can lead to depression and anxiety.

Depression can cause sleep problems, but the reverse is also true. People with insomnia have a tenfold risk of developing depression, according to the National Sleep Foundation. A study of people with depression found that they are five times more likely to have sleep apnea, but research also shows that apnea treatment can reduce depressive symptoms. Treating depression, usually with medication or cognitive behavioral therapies, can help counter sleeplessness.

A good night’s rest is one of the best things you can do for your heart, your mind and your loved ones. Adults should aim for 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. The exact amount of sleep each person needs differs. You may need a solid eight hours while your best friend is good with seven. You know you’re getting enough sleep when you wake up in the morning “ready to take on the world,” says Dr. Ash.

Going to bed the same time each night and waking the same time each morning—weekends included—will help you feel more rested overall, says Dr. Ash. Avoiding alcohol and caffeine before bedtime and engaging in stress-reducing activities, such as exercise or meditation, can also help you feel well rested. If you are having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, especially if this has gone on for more than a month, talk to your doctor. Insomnia can be a symptom of another ailment and is often treatable.