The Investment of Sleep: Insights from Dr. Michael Grandner
Pulmcast’s “The Investment of Sleep” with Dr. Michael Grandner explores how sleep acts as a vital investment in our physical and mental health—boosting cognition, emotional resilience, metabolism, and longevity. He emphasizes sleep’s impact on chronic disease, mental wellness, and behavior change strategies that foster healthier living.
“sleep is not a thing… it is a word that we all use to describe a set of things that all are happening together.”
The attitude on sleep health in the population is changing - more and more people are going back to basic fundamentals of just being human, between diet, exercise and.. sleep. They want to feel better - and they realize how important it is.
It’s not okay as it used to be to not take responsibility of your sleep
We’re not at a point anymore where people brag about how little sleep they need
Today we get to the bottom of sleep, sleep technology and sleep health, and how we can impact it in our own lives.
Michael Grandner, PhD, MTR, CBSM, FAASM
Dr. Grandner is the Director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona, Director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinic at the Banner-University Medical Center, and an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine in the UA College of Medicine. He is Certified in Behavioral Sleep Medicine by the American Board of Sleep Medicine and is a Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine by the Board of Behavioral Sleep Medicine.
He is on the editorial board of the journal SLEEP and is Associate Editor of the journal Sleep Health. He served on the Mental Health Task Force for the NCAA and works to improve sleep and well-being in student, Olympic, and professional athletes. He has also worked with a number of companies to help develop and refine products and initiatives aimed at improving sleep and health in the population. He is a frequent lecturer on the topic of sleep and health and his work has been featured in many media outlets, resulting in over 1 billion unique impressions across internet, print, television, and radio.
Why Sleep Isn’t a Luxury—It’s an Investment
In this episode of Pulmcast, Dr. Michael Grandner, Director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona, explains why sleep should be viewed as a core investment in health rather than a cost. Just like saving for retirement, quality sleep today pays dividends in focus, productivity, and long-term well-being tomorrow.
Sleep’s Impact on Health, Productivity, and Mental Wellness
Dr. Grandner emphasizes that poor sleep isn’t just about fatigue — it affects nearly every system in the body. From mental health and mood stability to cardiovascular health, metabolism, and immune function, sleep loss robs people of their ability to perform at their best. He compares sleep deprivation to intoxication: the less sleep you get, the less you’re able to recognize your own impairment.
Overcoming Cultural Misconceptions About Sleep
For decades, society glamorized “hustle culture” — bragging about getting only four hours of sleep and still “functioning.” Research now shows that this mindset is not only unhealthy but also factually incorrect. Lack of sleep undermines productivity, decision-making, and emotional regulation. Dr. Grandner challenges cultural norms that equate long work hours with value, stressing that sleep actually improves performance and creativity.
Sleep as a Public Health and Social Justice Issue
Sleep health is not just personal — it’s shaped by social, environmental, and cultural pressures. Early morning shifts, late-night emails, and overscheduled lives make sleep deprivation seem inevitable. Yet Dr. Grandner argues that this is also a public health issue: improving sleep could reduce chronic disease, healthcare costs, and disparities in health outcomes.
From Research to Practice: Sleep Behavior & Community Health
Dr. Grandner’s work spans genetics, sleep behavior, and practical interventions for communities. He highlights research with NCAA athletes, showing how sleep impacts physical performance, injury recovery, and mental health. These insights don’t just apply to elite athletes — they’re directly relevant for professionals, students, and anyone striving for better health. He also discusses the rise of consumer sleep technologies and emphasizes that while measurement tools are helpful, they must be paired with behavioral change strategies to truly improve sleep.
Attributions
"Rain On Glass”, “Steppin Intro”, “Park Bench”, and “Passages” by Podington Bear is licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0 / Songs have been cropped in length from original form
“Early Morning Song (Finch Duet)", “Slow Lights” and “Maximum Relax” by Lee Rosevere is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 / Song has been cropped in length from original form
