Benefits of Sleep and Why it is Crucial for Your Health
A good night’s sleep is not just a luxury, it is required for our bodies to remain healthy and all our organs to function properly.
No one appreciates the importance of sleep more than those who lack it, because insufficient or irregular sleep opens the door for countless health problems.
It is a known fact that many more people are suffering from poor sleep these days than ever before, thanks to modern technology and all the evils that come with it!
The quality of your sleep affects the overall quality of your life, so it is important that you understand why your body needs a good night’s sleep and what health gains you can achieve by maintaining a regular nightly sleep routine.
The following are some of the known and proven benefits of sleep.
Helps You Lose Weight
Studies have found a link between lack of sleep and obesity. People who sleep for less than the ideal 7-9 hours a night are more likely to suffer from hormonal imbalances leading to increased appetite and poor metabolism.
Improves Mental Health
Your brain greatly benefits from adequate sleep. And although sleep is a time for your body to physically rest, your brain stays quite busy during sleep performing several essential functions.
Insufficient sleep has been associated with increased risk for many mental disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, depression, anxiety, and others.
Improves Heart Health
While your heart keeps working day and night, it does get affected if you don’t get enough sleep.
Studies found that people with sleep disorders are more likely to develop or die from heart problems, such as coronary heart disease, stroke and heart attack.
Helps Your Body Fight Cancer
Sleep is important for regulating the levels of several hormones in the body, including cortisol and melatonin, both of which affect the immune system and play a role in fighting cancer cells.
Researches have shown that sleep problems increase the risk for certain cancers, particularly cancers of the colon, prostate in men, and breast in women.
Helps Your Body Heal
There are many physiological and psychological processes that take place within the body during sleep. It is a time for your body and mind to repair and recharge themselves.
A lot of toxins are flushed out of your blood and organs while you are sleeping, and many diseases can be prevented by simply just sleeping well at night.
These are only a few of the many health benefits of sleep. The research continues into the wonderful effects that occur in our bodies during sleep. Ironically, as we today are more aware than ever of the importance of sleep, people nowadays sleep less than ever!
