Sleep is vital to life and essential for overall good health. It's your body's way of recharging. Every system of the body is affected by the amount and quality of sleep you get each night. Despite its importance, it's often the first thing to be sacrificed when life gets busy. Sleep deprivation can not only be caused by emotions like anxiety and depression, but it can also cause these issues. It can suddenly turn into a vicious cycle and lead to other major illnesses like heart disease, diabetes and stroke. The first step to getting the sleep you need is determining the leading cause of your insomnia. If your mind tends to race at bedtime, the solution could be as simple as adding brain-calming strategies to your daily life.