Sleep plays one of the most important roles our lives. In order to live a healthy and fulfilled lifestyle it is vital to get enough sleep each day to protect your body and mind. Unfortunately, it is easy to forget the importance of sleep. Everyone is so busy working full time jobs, raising children, and more, that there has become a modern-day misconception that sleep isn’t important as the other things we have to do, so not enough time is set aside for a healthy amount of sleep. But it is sleep that is the pivotal element to health and high-performance, so we can perform all our daily tasks.
Your Body Repairs and Restores Overnight
The average sleep recommendation for an adult is 7 to 9 hours per evening. According to a study, nearly two thirds of all adults in the United States were not getting enough sleep. Many people believe that they can function well with six hours of sleep or less, but that simply isn’t the case. As human beings, our brains are very tuned in, but will ignore signs of sleep deprivation and fatigue. This means that many of us are getting insufficient amounts of sleep, but we can’t feel the damage that is happening.
Although you may not be able to remember much when you are asleep beside the occasional dream, your brain and body are busy at work repairing overnight. Now is the time to start making sleep a priority rather than seeing it as an unnecessary burden.
Surprising Health Benefits of Sleep
Here are some of the benefits of indulging in the correct amount, or extra sleep at night. First of all, your body is positively impacted when you get a good, full night of sleep. You will have more energy and strength, so you are more proactive throughout the day. Many people who indulge in seven or more hours of sleep at night have better skin and have a healthier weight. With a good night’s sleep your coordination and flexibility are enhanced, and your hormone levels are also boosted. This means that you are more fertile if you get more sleep. Sleep not only enhances immunity functions and helps your body to become more resistant to diseases, but it helps you to actually live longer!
Your Brain Needs Sleep to Be Functioning
The body is not the only element that is affected positively by good sleep; your brain reaps a lot of the rewards too. With good sleep you will be met greater creativity and focus so that you can perform to the highest level. Your memory skills will be enhanced, and you will be more able to learn difficult tasks. Your emotion regulation is also improved which means you will keep a cool and calm head no matter what types of stressful situations you are put in.
Long Term Side Effects of Bad Sleeping Patterns
It is important to acknowledge the long-term side-effects of sleep deprivation. It may not seem like an issue that is going to affect you now, but in the future your health may be significantly impacted. You are more likely to develop diseases and chronic illnesses such as anxiety, depression, obesity and diabetes. Your human growth hormone, which is your body’s primary healing source, reduces its production dramatically. With long term sleep deprivation, your reproductive system could also be impacted at a high level, reducing the chances of conception.
With long-term sleep deprivation, your energy levels over time will begin to drop and you will be much more susceptible to injury. Your body will not be able to repair tissue quickly and your muscular strength will decrease over time. It is also more probable that your weight will increase, and you may struggle to hold onto muscle. It is also more likely with a lack of sleep that you develop bad habits with regards to eating, as your hunger hormone levels will rise.
Your ability to think quickly and effectively will also be significantly impacted. Your brain will begin to accumulate toxins and your overall judgement will be impaired. You will not be able to solve problems or be creative when you are running on low levels of sleep. Your crucial decision-making skills will also be impacted. Your ability to think quickly and effectively will also be significantly impacted.
Your risk of being in a car accident on the roads will increase as your reaction times will be slower. Your brain will also have reduced functionality with regards to forming long and short-term memories. You are also likely to have heightened emotions, which means you may overreact to social situations.
Combatting the Effects of Reduced Sleep and the Importance of Routine
If you want to combat the effects mentioned above, sleep is the ideal defense mechanism. If you struggle getting a good night’s sleep right now there are a number of things you can do to change these habits. If you are suffering from insomnia or you are unable to fall asleep when you want to, you may want to seek out medical advice. It is also a good idea to get into a habitual bedtime routine. This will help you to wind down after a busy day and switch off your brain so you can feel completely relaxed. One of the best ways to get into healthy sleep patterns is by creating an effective nighttime routine for yourself, whether this means taking a lavender bubble bath, reading your favorite book, or listening to a meditation, these are just some of the things that can help you rest so you can receive all the benefits of a good night’s sleep
