Getting Enough Sleep Is Just As Important As Exercise and Diet

Feb 22, 2012 by Guest

Everyone deserves a break from every day work, including a good night’s sleep. People love sleeping, and there is no doubt about that. In the olden days, sleep was surrounded by myths and oftentimes, ignored by doctors when discussing about the total health and wellness of a person. At present, the importance of a good sleep is being studied by scientists and researchers all around the world. Experts say when people get less than 6-7 hours of sleep every night, they increase their risk of developing several diseases.

Here is a rundown of the benefits of getting sufficient sleep.

1. It keeps the heart healthy. Strokes and heart attacks usually strike during the early hours in the morning, and lack of sleep has been associated with worsening cholesterol level and blood pressure. By having 7-9 hours of sleep each night, you can have a healthier heart.
2. Sleep could help prevent cancer. According to research, people who have late night shifts at work have a higher risk of developing colon and breast cancer due to the differing levels of melatonin.
3. If you want to reduce stress, sleep well. When your sleep is deficient, the blood pressure increases and stress hormones are produced.
4. Sleep also reduces inflammation in the body.
5. When you enjoy a good night’s sleep, you become more alert. This is because your body feels energized and refreshed. You can start the day right by doing all the things that must be accomplished at work or inside the house.
6. Sleep is a great memory booster. Memory consolidation occurs when people sleep. The body is resting but the brain is processing the memories of your day by connecting the events, placing sensory inputs and feelings.
7. Losing weight is linked with enough sleep. People who sleep less than the recommended hours per night tend to be overweight or obese. This is because the lack of sleep disturbs the balance of hormones in the body affecting the appetite.
8. Taking naps makes you smarter. Studies show that napping improves memory, mood and cognitive function.
9. Sleeping also helps reduce the risk of having depression. Since sleep affects many chemicals in the body including serotonin, it can prevent depression. Make sure to get seven to nine hours of sleep at night.
10. Sleep repairs the body. Stress, harmful environmental factors and many others damage your body. Sleep is the time when the body repairs these damages. Cells produce protein during sleep and this nutrient are important for cell repair and growth.

indeed, sleeping is just as important as diet and exercise. If you want to feel energized all-day long and reduce the risk of acquiring certain illnesses, then be sure to target at least 6-8 hours of sleep every day.