A good night’s sleep is vital to our physical health and emotional
well-being. That’s why the benefits of good sleep should never be
underestimated and why getting a proper rest on a regular basis isn’t
just a good idea, it’s an essential one. And to prove it, we’ve put
together the top 10 reasons why a better sleep means a better you.
1. Sleep can be a painkiller
If you’re suffering pain from a recent injury like a sprained ankle,
getting plenty of sleep can actually make you hurt less. Many studies
have shown a link between sleep loss and a lower pain threshold.
Basically the more sleep you get the less pain you might be in.
2. Sleep can improve your memory
Ever noticed that when you’re really tired it’s harder to remember
things? Basically this is your brain telling you that it’s not getting
enough sleep. When you sleep well, your body may be resting but your
brain is busy organising and storing memories. So getting more quality
sleep will help you remember and process things better.
3. Sleep can lower your blood pressure
Higher blood pressure increases your chances of heart attacks and
strokes, but getting plenty of restful sleep encourages a constant state
of relaxation that can help reduce blood pressure and generally keep it
under control.
4. Sleep helps your body to fight back
While you’re sleeping your body is producing extra protein molecules
that can strengthen your ability to fight infection. So if you’re
feeling a bit run down and you don’t want it to turn into a full-blown
cold, go to bed early and get lots of rest.
5. Sleep can help you maintain your weight
Unfortunately, sleep won’t directly make you lose weight, but it can
help you keep it under control by regulating the hormones that affect
your appetite and reducing your cravings for high calorie foods.
6. Sleep puts you in a better mood
Lack of sleep can make us more agitated, so we’re more likely to snap
at the boss or be grumpy with a loved one, neither of which is a good
thing.
The better you sleep the better your ability to stay, calm, controlled and reasonable.
7. Sleep could reduce your chances of diabetes
Some research studies have shown that not getting enough sleep may
lead to type 2 diabetes by affecting how your body processes glucose.
It’s not conclusive by any means, but it’s yet another indication of how
important the benefits of sleep can be.
8. Sleep helps keep your heart healthy
A regular sleep pattern can help to lower the levels of stress and
inflammation to your cardiovascular system, which in turn can reduce
your chances of a stroke or heart condition.
9. Sleep helps reduce stress
If your body doesn’t get enough sleep, it can react by producing an
elevated level of stress hormones, which are a natural result of today’s
faster paced lifestyles. Deep and regular sleep can help prevent this.
10. Sleep can make you smarter
Along with a great night’s sleep, grabbing a quick nap in the daytime
can contribute towards making your brain more effective and productive.
You won’t necessarily be answering all the questions on University
Challenge, but you may well feel sharper, more attentive and focused
throughout the day.
If you’ve ever thought that sleep doesn’t really matter all
that much, think again, because it actually matters a great deal. What
are your tips for a great sleep? Let us know in the comments!