When we sleep, our consciousness is altered. We are comparatively calmer and restful and have little to no interaction with our outer environment (obviously, depending on the depth of our sleep). We may be physically relaxed while we sleep, but our brain is still active and performs several critical tasks.
Our bodily function largely depends on the quality of sleep, including our ability to fight off illness, build immunity, regulate our metabolism, and reduce our chance of developing chronic diseases. Sleep also impacts how we perform and feel the next day. Sleep affects every facet of our health, as sleep is multidisciplinary.
Here are five reasons why healthy sleep is essential for health.
1: Maintain Optimal Body Weight
Short sleep, defined as sleeping for fewer than 7 hours per night, has been linked to a higher risk of weight growth and a lower body mass index (BMI).
A study indicated that persons with less than 7 hours of sleep had a 41% higher chance of becoming obese.
Numerous studies that have demonstrated that people who are sleep deprived have an enormous appetite and prefer to eat more calories corroborate this. Additionally, lack of sleep may make you seek meals that are higher in sugar and fat due to their more awesome calorie content to compensate for lack of energy.
Worse, feeling exhausted after a night of insufficient sleep could make you lack the motivation to work out at the gym, take a stroll, or engage in any other enjoyable physical activity. So, putting sleep first may help maintain a healthy body weight.
2: Risk Of Heart Disease Is Low
High blood pressure is a heart disease risk factor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source states that obtaining enough sleep each night enables the body to regulate blood pressure.
A good night’s sleep can also improve general heart health and lessen the likelihood of developing sleep-related problems like apnea.
3: Helps Maintain A Strong Immune System
The immune function has been demonstrated to be compromised by lack of sleep.
Cough and cold were 4.5 times more likely to strike a participant in research who slept less than 5 hours per night than those who slept more than 7 hours. 5 to 6 hours of sleep every night increased risk by 4.24 times.
Additionally, some evidence indicates that getting enough sleep may enhance your body’s antibody responses to influenza vaccines.
4: It Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Your body releases more stress hormones when you don’t get enough sleep. Higher stress levels then frequently affect the quantity and length of your sleep, leading to a vicious cycle that is challenging to overcome. Chronic sleep deprivation may also make anxiety and despair more likely.
5: Your Body Uses It to Reset Itself
Numerous processes can essentially reboot themselves when you are at rest. Your body balances your hormones, regulates your mood, consolidates knowledge you learned during the day, processes memories, and recharges your energy levels while you sleep. Even your body can heal and recuperate from strenuous exercise while sleeping.
