A good night’s sleep is vital to our physical health and emotional well-being. That’s why the benefits of good sleep should never be underestimated and getting a proper rest on a regular basis isn’t just a good…
A good night’s sleep is vital to our physical health and emotional well-being. That’s why the benefits of good sleep should never be underestimated and getting a proper rest on a regular basis isn’t just a good idea, it’s an essential one. To prove it, we’ve put together the top 10 reasons why a better sleep means a better you.
- Sleep helps reduce stress
If your body doesn’t get enough sleep, it can react by producing an elevated level of stress hormones, which are a natural result of today’s fast-paced lifestyles. Deep and regular sleep can help prevent this. - Sleep can improve your memory
Ever noticed that when you’re really tired it’s harder to remember things? Basically, this is your brain telling you that it’s not getting enough sleep. When you sleep well, your body may be resting but your brain is busy organizing and storing memories. So getting more quality sleep will help you remember and process things better. - Sleep can lower your blood pressure
Higher blood pressure increases your chances of heart attacks and strokes, but getting plenty of restful sleep encourages a constant state of relaxation that can help reduce blood pressure and generally keep it under control. - 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 infections. If you’re feeling a bit run down and don’t want it to turn into a full-blown cold, go to bed early and get lots of rest. - Sleep can help you maintain your weight
Unfortunately, sleep won’t directly make you lose weight, but it can help you keep it under control by regulating the hormones that affect your appetite and reducing your cravings for high calorie foods. - Sleep puts you in a better mood
Lack of sleep can make us more agitated, so we’re more likely to snap at our boss or be grumpy with a loved one – neither of which is a good thing. The better you sleep, the better your ability to stay calm, controlled and reasonable. - Sleep could reduce your chances of diabetes
Some research studies have shown that not getting enough sleep may lead to type 2 diabetes by affecting how your body processes glucose. It’s not conclusive by any means, but it’s yet another indication of how important the benefits of sleep can be. - Sleep helps keep your heart healthy
A regular sleep pattern can help to lower the levels of stress and inflammation to your cardiovascular system, which in turn can reduce your chances of a heart condition. - Sleep can be a painkiller
If you’re suffering pain from a recent injury like a sprained ankle, getting plenty of sleep can actually make it hurt less. Many studies have shown a link between sleep loss and a lower pain threshold. Basically, the more sleep you get, the less pain you might be in. - Sleep can make you smarter
Along with a great night’s sleep, grabbing a quick nap in the daytime can contribute to making your brain more effective and productive. You won’t necessarily be answering all the questions on University Challenge, but you may well feel sharper, more attentive, and focused throughout the day.
11 Sleep prevent cancer
Did you know that people who work night shifts have a higher risk of developing breast and colon cancer? Researchers believe that exposure to light lowers melatonin levels. Melatonin —a hormone that regulates the circadian rhythm—is thought to protect against cancer, as it appears to suppress tumor growth. This is one of the top reasons why sleep is important.
To help your body produce the right quantity of melatonin, be sure your bedroom is dark. Also, avoid using electronics at bedtime. - You make better decisions when you sleep enough.
We’ve all heard the notion, if we “sleep on a problem,” we’ll solve it in the morning. Scientists have found that when we have a problem and go to sleep, even when we fall asleep, our brain still looks for a solution.
Even if you don’t wake up with a ready answer, your brain is prepared to assess the problem again. Making better decisions is among the essential top 10 health benefits of sleep. - You can improve your work capacity and creativity by sleeping well.
When we sleep more, we improve our mental and athletic abilities. An experiment in 2011 was done with five swimmers. They slept for 10 hours a day for two months. Each of them improved their speed and technique. Results like these are some of the best long-term benefits of sleep.
Besides robbing you of energy and time for muscle repair, lack of sleep saps your motivation, which is what gets you to the finish line. You’ll face a harder mental and physical challenge and see slower reaction times if you don’t get enough sleep.
Good quality sleep recharges us and helps us cope better with our everyday tasks. Proper rest sets you up for your best performance and highest level of creativity, accentuating once again the restorative benefits of sleep. - Good sleep makes you more attractive.
The benefits of sleep for our skin and overall appearance has been demonstrated in an article published by the British Medical Journal. It showed that regular, complete rest makes us look healthier and more attractive to others.
An experiment was conducted with twenty-three people. A photographer took pictures of them both after no sleep and after they had slept for eight hours. The pictures were shown to 60 people who had to judge which people from the photographs looked healthy and attractive, and which didn’t have a youthful look. The photos of people who hadn’t slept were 100% distinguished, meaning the people in these photos were all placed in the second category. - You’ll live longer if you sleep enough.
The healing power of sleep has been proved once again. Meanwhile, a regular lack of sleep is considered a risk factor that can shorten your lifespan. When your body’s stressed and lacks energy, you run the risk of developing various diseases. Scientists have found that people who sleep less than 6 hours a day are at a much greater risk of early death than their peers who sleep 7–8 hours a day. How much sleep you need depends on your age, which is clearly presented in the fascinating infographic about sleep facts and stats. - Sleep improves romantic relationships.
The sleep benefits for men and women also include having a better sex life. According to the 2010 Sleep in America Poll, the better you sleep and relax, the more fulfilling your sexual experiences will be. Indeed, 23% of couples in the US have admitted that both their family and sexual lives were negatively impacted by poor sleep.
Read the article and learn how to have a good night sleep.
