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What are the Benefits of a Good Night's Sleep

Authored By: Lonna Battles on 1/18/2022

 

We all know what we feel like when we don't get enough sleep… but why is sleep so important? Some people can run on as little as a few hours of sleep a night while others may need much more. It all depends on the individual. Also, as you get older, the amount of sleep you require may change. In this post, we will discuss the benefits of getting enough sleep and how it can affect you mentally and physically.

Sharper Mind

During sleep, the neurons can recover from the stress accumulated during the day. A good night’s sleep makes you feel alert and energized the next morning. Sleep has been linked to improved concentration and higher cognitive function, both of which set you up for success the next day.

Sleep also plays a big role in learning and memory. Without enough sleep, it becomes difficult to process and remember new information.

Help Prevent Weight Gain

You may ask how getting a good night's sleep can prevent weight gain? While sleeping alone is not going to make you lose weight, it can help from adding a few pounds. If you don't get enough sleep your body produces ghrelin, a hormone that boosts the appetite. Your body also decreases the production of leptin, a hormone that tells you when you’re full. Having these two hormones working in conjunction (and essentially against you)_can be a tough combo to combat. In addition, if you’re tired, you are more likely not to exercise. Bang, three strikes and the weight just may start to increase.

Sleep Improves Your Mood

Yes, it does seem obvious but it’s worth mentioning. We all know that after a restless night, we are likely to be more cranky and also more vulnerable to stress the next day. University of Pennsylvania researchers found that subjects who were limited to only 4.5 hours of sleep a night for one week reported feeling more stressed, angry, sad, and mentally exhausted.

Sleep Helps Fight Off Illness

Getting enough sleep enables a well-balanced immune system. Researchers suggest that sleep also strengthens immune memory, which helps the immune system remember how to recognize and react to dangerous antigens.

In Conclusion:

According to WebMd, most adults need 7-9 hours a night, but some people may need as little as 6 or as much as 10. Older adults need 7-8 hours a day. But, as I mentioned earlier, everyone is different. When I was younger, I found that I could function on 6-7 hours of sleep a night. Now, I'm dragging myself out of bed after a solid 8 hours! Another thing to consider is sleep tracking devices to see how much sleep you are actually getting each night. Trackers range from sleep apps on your phone, fitness trackers, and smart mattresses. Personally, I have used my Fitbit to track my sleep habits and have found it quite helpful.

So the next time you’re thinking of pulling an “all nighter" I would reconsider and not make it a habit. Now get some zzzs!

Resources:

Photo Credit:

Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

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