Sleep is important. It sets the stage for the mind and body on the following day. Without adequate sleep, you are not adequately equipped to manage anything that occurs or is planned for the next day. Rest keeps you energized, but sleep plays a more significant role in daily life.
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Benefits
Mood
Getting enough sleep provides the body with the time to manage emotions. We can have a more positive outlook and better general mood by processing emotions properly. Lack of sleep can lead to mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
Weight
Sleep has a direct impact on weight management. Being tired affects hormone levels that can trigger snacking and overeating. Being tired also leads to more unhealthy food choices. Lastly, the body doesn't want to be active when tired, so exercise is not prioritized. This combination of unhealthy snacking and lack of exercise equals weight gain.
Performance
Lack of sleep will affect the efforts put forth in physical activities. Although short bursts of energy are still possible, longer work that requires endurance will be much more challenging. Poor sleep will also affect motivation making it harder to achieve the physical goals normally set. Being tired can slow reaction times, affecting performance and leading to injury. Sleep is also required to help muscles recover and rebuild after exercise.
Blood Pressure
Sleeping gives the heart a rest, and it reduces any strain put on the heart by lowering blood pressure. Without sleep, blood pressure remains high, negatively impacting health over time. High blood pressure can cause strokes or other heart-related conditions. Sleep also allows blood glucose to drop, giving the body time to reset. Without a dip in blood glucose, developing blood sugar issues like type 2 diabetes is possible.
Brain
Sleep makes the brain work. Without sleep, memories don't have the power to remember everything they are required to. Sleep lets the mind recharge and process memories to recall later when needed.
Defense
Sleep also gives the body's immune system time to power up. Lack of good sleep will lead to sluggish immune systems that may not be able to fend off illness properly. Getting good sleep will allow the body to operate appropriately and fend off common illnesses more frequently.
Ways To Improve Sleep
Sleep is also easy to manage, but it's worth making an extra effort to try. There are a few simple tips to improve sleep time and quality.
Electronics
It is best to stop looking at electronic devices like cell phones at least an hour before bed. Removing electronics allows the brain time to relax rather than taking in new or stressful information, which helps induce sleep in a timelier manner.
Routine
It is best to wake up at the same time every day. Being in the same sleep routine, even on weekends, allows the body to get used to going to bed when it's time. This familiar pattern will make sleep more manageable and provide the body with more energy when it wakes.
Back To Sleep
It is common to wake up in the middle of the night. When this occurs, the best course of action is to go back to sleep. Looking at the clock or electronics will stimulate the brain and immediately switch the body out of sleep mode. It is best to go back to bed and skip the calculations from looking at information.
Prioritize
Getting good sleep should be a priority every night, as it can help reset the body and mind and make the next day better. Taking little steps and making an effort to get around 7 hours of sleep a night can make a big difference. Sleep plays a significant role in overall health, and getting it every night can work like taking a prescription that doesn't cost anything.
