A good night’s sleep is vital for our physical health and emotional well-being. That’s why we should never underestimate the benefits of good sleep and why getting proper rest on a regular basis isn’t just a good idea; it’s an essential one.
And to prove it, we’ve put together the top 10 reasons why better sleep means a lot to you and your body.
Here are the 10 reasons why good sleep is important:
1. Sleep helps to reduce stress
If your body doesn’t get enough sleep, it can result in producing an increased level of stress hormones, which are a natural result of today’s faster-paced lifestyles. Deep and regular sleep is important to prevent this. Mental health issues, such as depression, are strongly linked to poor sleep quality and having sleeping disorders. It has been estimated that 90% of people with depression complain about quality sleep.
2. Sleep can improve your memory
Ever noticed that when you’re very tired after a long day, it’s harder to remember things? Basically, this is your brain indicating to you that it’s not getting enough sleep. When you sleep well, your body may be resting at that time, but your brain is busy organizing and storing memories. So getting quality sleep will help you remember and process things better overall.
3. Sleep helps in lowering the blood pressure
Higher blood pressure often increases your chances of heart attacks and strokes, but getting plenty of restful sleep maintains a constant state of relaxation. That can help to reduce blood pressure and generally keep it under control.
4. Sleep helps your body to fight back
While you’re sleeping, your body is producing extra protein molecules that can strengthen your ability to fight any infection in your body. So if you’re feeling a bit down and you don’t want it to turn into a fever, go to bed early and get lots of rest.
5. Sleep can help you maintain your weight
Unfortunately, sleep won’t make you lose weight immediately, but it can help you keep it under control by regulating the hormones that affect your appetite and helps in reducing your cravings for high-calorie foods. If you oversleep, it may also increase your weight and increase the fat level in your body.
6. Sleep puts you in a better mood
Lack of sleep can make us more irritated, so we’re more likely to fight with our family or be grumpy with a loved one, neither of which is a good thing. The better you sleep, the better would be your ability to stay calm, controlled, and reasonable.
7. Sleep could reduce your chances of diabetes
Some research studies have shown that not getting enough sleep may lead to diabetes by affecting how your body processes glucose overall. It’s not conclusive by any means, but it’s yet another indication of how important a good sleep can be.
8. Sleep helps in keeping your heart healthy
A regular sleep pattern can help to lower the stress levels and inflammation in your cardiovascular system. It can reduce your chances of getting a stroke or heart condition.
9. Sleep can be a painkiller
If you’re suffering pain from a recent injury like a sprained ankle then getting plenty of sleep can make you hurt less. Many studies have proved a link between sleep loss and a lower pain threshold. The more sleep you get, the less pain you might feel.
10. Sleep can make you smarter
Along with a great night’s sleep, grabbing a quick power nap in the daytime can contribute to making your brain more effective and productive. You won’t necessarily be answering all the questions in the lecture at the university, but you may feel sharper, more attentive to detail, and focused throughout the day.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever thought that sleep doesn’t really matter that much, think again because it matters a lot to your body. Along with proper nutrition and exercise, good sleep is one of the pillars of health. You simply cannot achieve optimal health without taking good care of your sleep.