Top 5 Health Benefits of Sleep
Benefits of Sleep Have More to Do with Your Health Than You Think
Did you know when we’re even slightly sleep deprived, our appetite hormones change? It’s true! A good night’s rest has more health benefits than just restful looking eyes and skin or renewed energy for the day ahead. The importance of a full night of rest has more to do with our overall health and wellbeing than we may realize. Getting less than 6-7 hours a night could be a cause for the development of certain diseases. Here are the top 5 benefits of sleep and a good night’s rest:
Physical Health Benefits
Your body needs sleep to help regulate your blood sugar levels. Lack of sleep has been shown to increase the risk of diabetic issues as well as raise blood sugar levels. When your body enters deep sleep, the body naturally decreases it’s cortisol levels and regulates glucose in the body. Shortened sleep or inadequate rest increases the risk of being overweight as well as developing diabetes.
Stress-Reducing Benefits
Your body can become stressed by lack of sleep. Your functions are on high alert, blood pressure is raised, and stress hormones are released into your body. When you are tired mentally and physically, you may be less patient and more easily agitated; which can quickly increase your body’s stress. More sleep can reduce stress levels.
Improve Memory Function
Your brain is still processing information from your day and events while you are sleeping. In a deep state of sleep, your mind is making connections and memories linking with feelings and input. A quality night of rest can help you remember and process things more efficiently. This process is called memory consolidation.
Reduce Your Risk of Depression
Serotonin is the chemical in our body responsible for motor function, appetite, and mood. It also helps to regulate the body’s sleep cycle. Stress is a common cause of lowered serotonin levels and can result in a snowball effect of disrupted sleep, anxiety, fatigue, and depression. Getting an adequate amount of rest each night can help prevent the risk of depression and increase the benefits of sleep.
Keep Your Heart Healthy
A good night’s rest decreases the work of your overall body, including your heart. Blood pressure is reduced at night when your body is at rest. Insomnia has been linked to high blood pressure and heart disease. Lack of rest causes your body to be stressed, increasing your heart rate and blood pressure. Over time this unhealthy cycle can lead to serious health issues and make other health problems worse.
Sleep is a time for your body, and all of its functions to relax. It regulates the balance of hormones and regenerates cells that repair damage while you sleep. Your skin is replenished as are your energy stores. It is no wonder a night of rest is the best anti-aging prescription every-body requires. Sleep makes you more energized and alert each day, helping you maintain a healthy body and weight, lowering your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Even when we are even slightly sleep-deprived, it can negatively affect many systems in our body. Consistent patterns of inadequate sleep can lead to sleep deprivation and snowball into many more medical problems. 7-8 hours of rest each night is recommended by the national sleep foundation. If you feel you may not be getting enough sleep each night, there may be underlying causes such as hormonal imbalance, apnea, or other chronic illnesses. Vitality Aesthetic & Regenerative Medicine may be able to help. Contact us today.