Are you getting enough sleep?

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Sleep is incredibly important to our lives. We spend a third of our time in bed, and the rest of our day, as well as our health, depends on how well we sleep during that time. Getting a full night’s sleep is not always easy, but is necessary to keep our bodies healthy. Sometimes people don’t even realize that that they’re not sleeping as well as they could be.

Would you say you’re getting enough sleep? I am asking because there’s more and more research to prove that adequate sleep is an absolute must-have if you want to stay healthy and have your body functioning the way it should.

Oh yes, life is hectic and there are always more things to do than the time available to do them in, but that’s no excuse.

The truth is, sleep heals. Sleep brings a lot of health benefits, which is why sleep deprivation can have a major impact on your mind, body and overall health!

Research also shows that getting enough sleep can protect you from a number of illnesses. When you don’t get enough sleep, you can develop ailments such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity and become more prone to colds and the ‘flu. Inadequate sleep is also linked to mental health.

Why get enough sleep?

While sleeping, the body’s cells repair themselves. Adequate sleep keeps your immune system strong and your hormones in balance. Can you imagine what might happen if you didn’t sleep enough?

A good night’s sleep helps you keep your mood balanced, improving your learning and memory. Naturally, it keeps you more energetic and alert.

In fact, you can avoid or at least minimize your chances of developing five major health issues by sleeping seven to eight hours at night.

Colds and flu

When the body doesn’t get enough sleep, it feels exhausted, worn it. This weakens the immune system, opening it up to infections. As a result, the body is unable to respond th eway it should, attracting colds, ’flus and other infections. A lack of sleep also slows down our response to vaccines as it takes a longer time to generate the antibodies that fight disease.

Heart disease

Insufficient sleep causes chronic inflammation, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes or diabetes.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition caused by resistence to insulin or the body’s inability to produce insulin. With Type 2 Diabetes,  the body does not use insulin properly. Inadequate sleep makes it even worse, making the body behave like a diabetic, with insulin resistence. If you are in your late 20s or early 30s and get less than 6 hours of sleep at night, your insulin sensitivity is similar to someone who is 60 years old. So get the sleep you need.

Mental health  

It is quite common for people to boast about how they get by with very little sleep. But the effect of this shows itself over a period of time as it gradually slows down the brain and affects work efficiency. A short temper naturally follows. So even if you think you’re doing okay, lack of sleep affects the memory and productivity.

Obesity

One of the most interesting weight loss methods is getting enough sleep. Can you imagine that? When you don’t get the sleep you need, you put on weight. Even if you are on a weight loss program, and are wondering why your weight isn’t coming off, the first thing to check is whether you are getting enough sleep.  Less sleep also increases your appetite and you end up eating more.

That’s enough reasons to get enough sleep, right? Help your body stay healthy.

To commemorate November being National Sleep Comfort Month, here is an exclusive guide in the form of an infographic from Casper. They’re committed to creating a better sleep not only with their memory foam mattresses but with this guide, defining some of the biggest bedtime challenges along with solutions to those problems to help you achieve a good night’s sleep. Just one simple change can prevent various health risks. (Click the infographic for the larger version)

Are there any changes you will implement in your bedtime routine for a better night’s sleep?

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