People who get too little sleep are at risk for health problems including obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression and more. They also have difficulty concentrating and may be more likely to be involved in motor vehicle accidents.
Researchers have found that sleep is essential for good health and should be considered an important lifestyle factor along with diet, exercise, low stress and non-smoking. Here are some reasons why.
1. Increased Immune System Function
While the exact reasons sleep is essential for good health are still unclear, we do know that it provides a variety of benefits. These include growth and repair of tissues, immune system function, memory consolidation, and emotional regulation.
During sleep, the body produces antibodies, white blood cells and cytokines that fight infections. Getting enough sleep increases your immunity, making you less vulnerable to everything from the common cold to serious diseases.
A lack of sleep can also affect your emotions and lead to a higher risk of mental illness. This is especially true in times of stress, such as an illness, injury or job loss. Sleep problems may be caused by various factors, including a busy schedule, shift work, and hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause.
2. Better Memory Function
Getting enough quality sleep can help you learn and remember things. Researchers think this is because of the role sleep plays in repairing damaged cells and maintaining healthy connections between brain cells.
The function of sleep has been mystified for thousands of years, but research is uncovering clues about what it does to the body and mind. One of the most important is that it reenergizes the cells and clears waste from the brain.
A good night’s rest may also help prevent weight gain, heart disease, inflammation, depression and increased illness duration. It is just as essential to health as a nutritious diet and physical exercise. So, make a plan to prioritize your sleep as you do for other parts of your life. The results will be worth it.
3. Reduced Risk of Heart Disease
Getting seven to nine hours of good quality sleep every night helps keep the body healthy and staves off serious diseases. During sleep, the body restores hormonal balance and repairs itself, keeping blood sugar steady and reducing stress levels. Deep sleep is also important for memory processing and clear thinking. Those who get inadequate sleep may experience chronic fatigue, a greater risk of heart disease and depression, and have a much higher rate of accidents on the road and at work, check out here.
Scientists are still learning about the function of sleep, but one thing is for sure: it’s essential for good health in many ways we can’t yet fully understand. In fact, sleep is as vital to our health as diet and exercise. It improves our mood, immune system, memory and even our ability to fight off infections.
4. Reduced Risk of Cancer
Research shows that people who get enough sleep have lower rates of cancer. They also tend to have lower rates of inflammation, less stress and a healthier weight.
People who don’t get enough sleep may have a higher risk of developing depression, anxiety or other mental health issues. Studies have found that poor sleep is linked to an increased risk of obesity and heart disease, as well as an increase in the duration and severity of illness.
Researchers are still working to understand how various aspects of sleep—duration, timing and quality—relate to our health. But the bottom line is this: sleep isn’t a waste of time. In fact, it’s one of the most important things you can do for your health. (Source: NIH, Healthy People 2030) -Nancy Zee, MS, RD, LDN, RD, CDN, NNCC.
5. Increased Mood
Many people think that sleep is a time when the body and brain “shut down.” However, it has been shown that your brain is still very active during your sleeping hours.
Getting enough sleep is essential for good health. It helps protect against diseases, maintain a healthy weight and improve your mood. However, getting adequate rest on a regular basis can be challenging, especially during times of high stress or illness.
Conclusion:
As a result, it is important that sleep and circadian health are given a prominent place in public health education and research, clinical practice and patient encounters, inpatient and long-term care, and workplaces. The key to getting good sleep is establishing a regular schedule and following a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, good nutrition and plenty of rest.