Health Benefits of Sleep

In the past, sleep was often ignored by doctors and surrounded by myths, but now we are beginning to understand the importance of sleep to overall health and well-being. In fact, when people get less than 6 or 7 hours of sleep each night, their risk for developing diseases begins to increase.

Here are a few reasons to motivate you in getting more rest and to improve the quality of your life and your health: Sleep…

· Helps to repair your body. Your body produces extra protein molecules while you’re sleeping, and these help to mend your body at a cellular level. The damage from all kinds of things, such as stress, pollutants, infection, sun exposure and so on, is repaired while you’re happily in the land of nod.

· Helps maintain a healthy heart . Your heart and cardiovascular system is constantly under pressure, and one of the benefits of sleep is that it helps to reduce the levels of stress and inflammation in your body. High levels of ‘inflammatory markers’ are linked to heart attacks, heart disease and strokes. Sleep can also help keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels (which play a role in heart disease) lower.

. Reduces stress. A good night’s sleep can lower blood pressure and the elevated levels of stress hormones which are a natural result of today’s fast paced lifestyle. Too much stress causes excess ‘wear and tear’ on your body, and increases the aging and generation of organs, cells and other body parts. By reducing high levels of stress, sleep helps to reverse these effects and encourages a state of relaxation.

· Improves your memory. That ‘foggy’ feeling that you struggle with when deprived of sleep makes it difficult to concentrate. This often leads to not being able to ‘commit to memory’ facts, faces, lessons or even conversations. Sleeping well eliminates these difficulties because as you sleep, your brain is busy organizing and correlating memories. One of the great benefits of sleep is that it allows your brain to better process new experiences and knowledge, increasing your understanding and retention. So, next time you hear someone say “why don’t you sleep on it”, take their advice.

. Can help control your body weigh. Now, this one might surprise you. One of the lesser known benefits of sleep is that it helps regulate the hormones that affect and control your appetite. Studies have shown that when your body is deprived of sleep, the normal hormone balances are interrupted and your appetite increases. Unfortunately, this increase in appetite does not lead to a craving for fruits and veggies; instead your body longs for food high in calories, fats and carbohydrates. So, if you are trying to lose those stubborn few pounds that just keep hanging around, make sure that getting enough sleep becomes a priority.

Related post: How To Sleep Well In Your Life