According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep is crucial for a person’s health and wellbeing. However, millions of people are not getting enough sleep and suffer the consequences of that. A study conducted by the National Sleep Foundation has found that 40 million Americans suffer from over 70 different sleep disorders and 60% of adults have sleep problems a few nights a week. A lack of sleep on a regular basis can lead to continued health complications. Here are the factors that are impacted by sleep.
Overall productivity – Quality sleep enables your mind to be focused and stimulate creativity.
Weight – Researchers have found that people who sleep for less than 7 hours nightly are more at risk to be overweight or even obese. Being sleep deficient impacts the balance of the hormones that affect appetite. Leptin and ghrelin, the hormones that regulate appetite, are found to have been interrupted by lack of sleep.
Physical Health –
- Sleep is your body’s way of fighting off infections. When there is a lack of sleep, your immune system is weakened, which makes you more vulnerable to illnesses.
- While you are sleeping, your body restores the damage done by stress, ultraviolet rays and other harmful exposure, not to mention other traumas such as muscle injuries.
- Your body goes into a state of stress when you are running low on slow. Bodily functions are put on high alert, which is where high blood pressure and stress hormones come into play. Stress hormones make you more at risk for heart-related conditions, cancer, and diabetes. High blood pressure increases the risk of strokes and heart attacks, and the added stress hormones make it more difficult to fall asleep.
Mental Health –
- Along with your physical health, mental health is very important too in terms of sleep. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body enters a stressful state. A good night of sleep will make you feel more energized and alert.
- During sleep, even though the body is at rest, your brain is processing your day, your memories, and your feelings. Deep sleep is a time for your brain to link things together, and getting better sleep will help you to process and remember things better.
- Sleep can reduce your risk of depression by impacting many of the chemicals in your body, primarily serotonin. People who are lacking serotonin are more likely to suffer from depression. One way to combat this is to make sure you are sleeping 7 to 9 hours every night.
A good night of sleep each night is a major key to living a long and healthy life. Getting enough quality sleep each night has many benefits pertaining to physical and mental health. It’s important to make sure that you are getting the rest that you need. Your body will thank you for it!
Written by Dami Falade
