Did your parents ever tell you that even if you don't sleep, you're still resting? There's some truth to this common saying, backed by science.
Research shows that people who meditate regularly often need less sleep overall. Lying quietly in bed does allow your body to rest more effectively than staying active through the night.
Read also: Sleeping in at the weekend doesn't work
That said, resting falls far short of actual sleep's benefits. During sleep—especially deep sleep—you disconnect from the world, enabling profound physical recovery. Much of this happens in the early hours of the night. Rest alone won't reach those deep stages, so chronic sleep deprivation can't be offset by simply lying awake.
