Is Good Sleep That Important for Your Well-Being?

You may have seen people bragging about how they can function well without much sleep.  What these people can't see are the long term benefits of sleep, and how six to eight hours of sleep is so important for the overall health of the human body.  In fact, sleep deprivation sometimes becomes the main contributing factor when it comes to serious health issues such as heart disease, premature death, as well as obesity.

Sleeping 6-8 hours every night releases hormones and compounds that support with the overall well-being of your body.  Let's take a look at how sleep regulates different aspects of our life.

Sleep Prevents Cancer and Heart Diseases

Sleeping seven to eight hours each night improves the health of the heart.  People who work night shifts have greater odds of developing colon and breast cancer.

Sleep Reduces Stress

When you deprive your body of sleep, your blood pressure increases, and so does the creation of stress hormones. This is because sleep deprivation puts your body on high alert.  Stress hormones make it even more troublesome to fall asleep, whereas your blood pressure level makes you more prone to stroke or a heart attack.

Sleep Minimizes Inflammation

Stress hormones in excess increase inflammation levels in your body. This increases the likelihood of diabetes, and heart conditions.

Sleep Encourages Body Repair

During sleep, your body repairs itself by fighting the damage caused by ultraviolet rays, stress, and other external factors.  How does that happen? While you are sleep, your cells produce protein molecules which help repair any such damages.

Sleep Regulates Your Appetite

Sleep deprivation exhausts the body, and thus your body demands more energy to function. A lack of sleep makes you want to eat more, as your brain releases chemicals in your body to signal hunger.

When you eat more than needed, and move around less, you also gain more weight.

Hence, it is advised that you sleep 6-8 hours at night to regulate your appetite.

Sleep Improves Brain Functions

Sleep does not only improve your memory, but it also makes you feel more alert. This helps you focus better and retain more information. Moreover, sleep improves serotonin production in your body, which helps you counter depression and anxiety.

In a Nutshell

If you were not sure about the long term benefits of sleep, you certainly will be now. Sleep is a lot more important for your overall well-being than it is given credit for.  If you want to remain fit and healthy, you must get at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night.