This debt can only be paid off by sleeping. You can't overcome it with willpower, and it won't go away by itself. Sleep is an appetite, like hunger or thirst, and it's an easy appetite for your body to satisfy. To stop feeling hungry or thirsty, your body needs an outside source of food or water. To stop feeling sleepy, all your body has to do is throw the switch and go to sleep.
Millions have a serious sleep debt.
Most people lose sleep because they stay up too late or get up too early to give themselves a good night's rest. But many other people have sleep disorders that keep them from sleeping soundly enough to feel rested. If You're Tired All the Time. . When your sleep debt gets big enough, there is nothing you can do that will keep you awake. You may feel awake because you're busy or excited, but as soon as you calm down your sleep debt takes over and your body goes to sleep.