By Claudia Wilson You’ve probably heard or read that sleep is important. Sleep significantly influences how you behave. Adequate sleep keeps you mentally sharp, reduces the stress you feel, and repairs the wear and tear the body receives during its waking hours. Inadequate sleep makes you less productive, slower in general, more stressed, and the lack of sleep weakens your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness, like just a simple cold. Sleep is also related to our body size. Research shows that there’s a link between inadequate sleep and weight gain and that less than 5 hours of sleep per night can mess with your hormones, slow down your…