The Importance of Sleep
Sleep is one of the body’s great mysteries, and a night of bad rest can throw off any number of things from your mood to your ability to concentrate or perform in your daily life. It can even impact your long-term health and make it harder to fight off illness and injury. It’s not surprising that getting a good night’s sleep can be as important as exercising, eating well and not smoking.
In fact, the brain and body work hard during sleep to support physical health, emotional coping skills and the ability to learn and function. It also helps the immune system respond to stress and fight disease. Sleep deprivation has been linked to cardiovascular problems, obesity and diabetes, a weakened immune system and depression and anxiety disorders.
Scientists are now beginning to understand the complex relationship between sleep, our bodies and minds. They are also gaining insights into the role it plays in a variety of conditions and processes, including stress and memory, emotions and learning.
During sleep, the brain deals with information received during the day, consolidates memories and clears away the plaque-forming amyloid and tau proteins that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Sleep also regulates emotions and moods, and provides a crucial time for the brain to process the day’s events. In short, sleep appears to have a profound effect on the functioning of almost all tissues and systems in the body.
The amount of sleep you need depends on your age, genetics and overall health. Children and teenagers need more sleep than adults to help them grow and develop. Once people reach the age of 20 years, their sleep needs stabilise and they generally need about seven to eight hours each night.
It’s not always easy to get enough sleep, especially if you are stressed. Feelings of stress can cause the body to release a chemical called cortisol, which has been known to keep you awake. It’s also common for a lack of sleep to leave you feeling tired, irritable and unfocused.
If you’re struggling to get enough sleep, it’s worth talking to your GP or health professional. They can offer advice and refer you to a specialist if necessary.
Sleeping well can be a challenge, but the payoff is huge for your emotional and physical health. You’ll have more energy, think more clearly and be able to deal with the everyday stresses of life in a better frame of mind. This will have a positive effect on your family, work and social life too. So make a plan to get more sleep and stick with it. You’ll thank yourself in the long run.