Health Benefits of Sleep
Sleep is an essential biological function that keeps your body healthy, promotes your immune system’s ability to fight off infections, and supports the growth of brain cells. And yet, many of us don’t get enough sleep, leading to a number of health issues.
How to Sleep Better
The sleep-wake cycle is an important component of your internal clock, and it regulates the rest and waking cycles of your body. During sleep, you experience distinct rhythms of brain activity, heart rate, and breathing that are designed to help your body go into the rest-and-restoration mode. Getting adequate sleep can help you feel refreshed and rejuvenated in the morning, which is vital to your overall wellbeing.
It Can Improve Memory and Stress Control
During sleep, brain activity increases in areas that control your emotions. This can help to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and anger. Additionally, it can help to improve your decision-making skills and enhance cognitive functioning.
It Can Help Your Body Build Muscles and Repair Damage
In a recent study, researchers found that people who got more sleep experienced better muscle recovery after physical exercise. This can help reduce the amount of time it takes to recover from strenuous physical activities, and may also lead to a healthier lifestyle and lower risk for chronic illness.
It Can Help You Relieve Pain
Studies have shown that a phase of sleep called non-rapid eye movement (NREM) can help relieve pain from headaches, backaches and sports injuries. This type of sleep allows blood flow to your muscles to increase, allowing tissues to repair and grow.
It Can Help You Combat Colds and Flu
The immune system, which consists of proteins and cells that help you fight off infections and keep germs at bay, also benefits from a good night’s sleep. During sleep, the immune system releases cytokines, which help to boost your body’s ability to fight off illnesses.
It Can Protect Your Health
Research has found that those who do not get enough sleep have higher levels of inflammation, a known risk factor for heart disease and stroke. In addition, those who don’t get the recommended amount of sleep are more likely to develop chronic diseases, like high cholesterol and diabetes.
It Can Make You Smarter
During sleep, your brain reorganizes and restructures neurons, or nerve cells, into new circuits that support different types of thinking. This can help you remember new information, as well as erase or forget information that no longer serves a useful purpose.
It Can Help You Maintain a Healthy Weight
Sleep can play an important role in your overall health by helping to control weight gain and obesity. It can also reduce the risk of developing diabetes, hypertension and heart disease by reducing blood sugar levels and balancing hormones.
It Can Help You Avoid Mental Health Problems
Those who don’t get enough sleep often experience mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. These can interfere with a person’s daily life and make it difficult to focus on work, school or other tasks.