Getting the right amount of sleep is so important to your total health! It is as important as your healthy meals, skincare routine and even your work out sessions.
Lack of adequate sleep can place your health and safety at risk, this is why it is vital that you prioritize and protect your sleep on a daily basis.
As a growing child, I had this guilt sleeping till 9 a.m; growing up my Mom would never allow my siblings and I spend longer time in bed, we either have to do the chores, run errands or just stay up. She meeting any one of us in bed is like a taboo! So we adjusted to waking up as early as 4:30 a.m even with the sound of the alarm clock.
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Although, sleep needs differ from person to person. Usually, most adults need to sleep for about 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Studies has proven that up to 33% of adults in the United States don’t get enough sleep
Hence, sleep deprivation can increase your appetite and cause you to eat more calories. With these reasons, you are more prone to eat foods high in sugar and fat, lead to weight gain.
In this post, I will share 7 reasons why you should get more sleep than usual
Benefits of Getting More Sleep
1. For a healthy immune system
Getting at least 7 hours of sleep can improve your immune function and help fight the common cold. Lack of sleep has been shown to impair immune function
In one particular research, indicated that individuals who slept fewer than 5 hours per night were 4.5 times were more prone to develop a cold compared than who slept more than 7 hours. Those who slept 5–6 hours were 4.24 times more prone to cold.
It may also improve COVID-19 vaccine efficacy, though more research is needed.
2. Improves Emotional and Social Interactions:
When you don’t get enough sleep, you will be face will challenges of interacting with people properly. Tiredness may also affect our ability to respond to humour and show empathy when needed
More especially if you have to get to the office or a social gathering. Low work productivity ,loneliness, and high state anxiety is likely to occur.
3. Help Maintain and lose Weight:
The primary effect of sleep on weight gain is believed to be affected by numerous factors, including hormones and motivation to exercise.
Although, sleep deprivation increases levels of ghrelin and decreases levels of leptin. Ghrelin is a hormone that makes us feel hungry while leptin makes us feel full. This may cause us to feel hungrier and overeat.
Numerous studies have associated short sleep ( defined as sleeping fewer than 7 hours per night ) with an uncontrollable factor to weight gain and a higher body mass index (BMI)
In fact, a 2020 analysis found that adults who slept fewer than 7 hours per night had a whopping 41% increased risk of developing obesity. Meanwhile, sleeping longer didn’t increase the risk
4. Improve Focus and Productivity:
Long Sleeping time is important for various use of the brain function. A good sleep can maximize problem-solving skills and enhance memory. In disparity, poor sleep has been shown to impair brain function and decision making skills.
A specific study on overworked physicians gives a proper example. It found that doctors with moderate, high, and very high sleep-related impairment were 54%, 96%, and 97% more likely to report clinically significant medical errors.
Cognition, concentration, productivity, and performance can all be negatively affected by poor sleep.
5. To Strengthen your heart and Athletic performances
Sleeping fewer than seven hours per night has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. Also getting enough sleep has been shown to improve many aspects of athletic and physical performance.
One analysis of 19 studies found that sleeping fewer than 7 hours per day resulted in a 13% increased risk of death from heart disease.
Numerous studies have shown that adequate sleep can enhance fine motor skills, reaction time, muscular power, muscular endurance, and problem-solving skills.
In Summary,
Along with nutrition and exercise, taking care of your sleep is one of the pillars of health.
Lack of sleep is associated with many negative health effects, including increased risk of heart disease, depression, weight gain, inflammation, and sickness.
