By: Dr. Jerome Puryear
Publisher: Eternaverse Publishing
Publication Date: May 1, 2026
Reviewed by: Alma Boucher
Review Date: January 29, 2026
How Not to Up and Die from Lack of Sleep: A Doctor’s Guide to Better Sleep That Boosts Your Energy, Reverses Exhaustion, & Restores Your Health by Jerome Puryear, MD, serves as a timely and highly relevant resource that addresses one of the most overlooked health dangers of contemporary life: chronic sleep deprivation.
The book is organized into four main sections: The Science of Sleep, Understanding Abnormal Sleep, The Life of Night Shift Workers, and Fixing Your Sleep. It guides readers through an extensive exploration of why sleep is biologically vital and offers practical methods to reclaim it. Dr. Puryear integrates clinical insights with personal stories and patient experiences, making the science relatable through real-life situations. By exploring the physiological effects of insufficient sleep and the distinct challenges posed by night shifts, the book presents a straightforward narrative that highlights how sleep deprivation, although subtle, has a profound impact on physical well-being, emotional resilience, and cognitive function.
One of the strongest ideas running through the book is the reminder that sleep is not a luxury: it is a basic foundation of good health. Dr. Puryear makes it clear that while we are responsible for our own sleep habits, we also have to be honest about the larger challenges working against us, such as demanding jobs and technology that keeps us constantly connected. Readers can determine warning signs early with Dr. Puryear’s discussion of abnormal sleep patterns and common sleep disorders, often before serious damage is done. When it comes to fixing sleep, the book offers a well-balanced set of options, from mindfulness practices and natural remedies to advanced sleep technology and AI-driven tools. Just as importantly, Dr. Puryear urges readers to use these tools wisely, stressing the need for medical guidance and awareness of data privacy to technology supporting care rather than replacing it.
The writing does not feel heavy or intimidating, and is clear, compassionate, and confident. Medical concepts are written in plain language for anyone to understand. The illustrations add clarity instead of distraction and are helpful to enhance understanding. The pacing is steady, giving readers time to absorb complex ideas while moving smoothly from identifying problems to finding practical solutions. Dr. Puryear’s willingness to share his own struggles with sleep adds a relatable touch, making the book feel more like a conversation with a trusted doctor than a formal medical lecture.
How Not to Up and Die from Lack of Sleep is a well-researched and practical guide for anyone stuck in the cycle of chronic exhaustion. It is especially helpful for night shift workers, high-pressure professionals, and readers interested in where sleep science and technology are headed. It is not a quick-fix read, and those who take the time to understand and use the material will be able to overcome their problem with the tools provided in the book.
Quill says: This book is a powerful wake-up call that turns sleep from an afterthought into a life-saving priority, offering both knowledge and hope for lasting change.
For more information about How Not to Up and Die from Lack of Sleep: A Doctor’s Guide to Better Sleep That Boosts Your Energy, Reverses Exhaustion & Restores Your Health, please visit the author’s website at: drjeromepuryear.com.
