by
Stepy —
August 30, 2019
- Do not ignore the power of a good night’s sleep.
- Good sleep has become somewhat of a rarity these days.
- People believe that they can get by without an adequate amount of sleep.
- A lack of sleep can contribute to health risks in the long run, so it is important to make it a priority.
- Here are some of the many great health benefits of sleep:
- Avoid depression:
- “A lack of sleep can contribute to depression,”Dr. Raymonde Jean the co-director of sleep medicine at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center shares. “A good night’s sleep can really help a moody person decrease their anxiety. You get more emotional stability with good sleep,” he adds.
- Sleeping more on the weekends does not make up for lost sleep during the week.
- Better memory:
- Your brain is at work, even while you sleep. We have all heard teachers talk about getting good sleep before a test. This is because the things you learn throughout the day are strengthened while you sleep through a process called consolidation.
- Longer lifespan:
- It is possible that the right amount of sleep may increase lifespan, as long as the sleep isn’t too short or too long. In a study published by the Journal of Women’s Health, it was reported that women between the ages of 50-79 who had better sleep also had a decreased risk of heart disease. More research needs to be done to confirm these benefits, but the results look promising.
- Reduce inflammation:
- Chronic inflammation is a considered a major risk factor for many diseases, including cancer, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, stroke, and more. A study published by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that participants who had six hours or less sleep every night had more C-reactive protein, which is associated with inflammation and heart disease.
- Less stress:
- Dr. Raymonde Jean states that better sleep can help with stress. “Sleep can definitely reduce levels of stress, and with that people can have better control of their blood pressure,” Dr. Jean says.
- Sharper attention:
- “A lack of sleep can result in ADHD-like symptoms in kids,” states Dr. Rapoport. He also adds that kids react differently to less sleep than adults. “Whereas adults get sleepy, kids tend to get hyperactive,” Rapoport adds.
- A study published by a journal called Pediatrics, showed that children who slept less had a great chance of hyperactivity and ADHD-like symptoms.
- Weight loss:
- If you are trying to lose weight, going to sleep earlier might not be a bad idea. A study from the University of Chicago showed that participants who got more sleep lost more fat, and those who got less sleep lost more muscle mass. Participants also reported that they felt hungrier when they got less sleep.
- Tips:
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine in the pm and try deep breathing or meditation to help you relax and fall asleep better.
- Never do strenuous exercise late in the pm as it will increase your energy level and will make it harder for you to fall asleep.
- Take a cup of warm chamomile tea or lavender tea to help you ease into a good sound sleep.
- Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
- For the health benefits of lavender tea.
- For the health benefits of chamomile tea.
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- REFERENCES:
- 1. Sparacino, Alyssa. “11 Surprising Health Benefits of Sleep.” Health.com. Health.com, n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2013.
- 2. “Do Insomnia and Disrupted Sleep During Menopause Increase a Woman’s Risk of Heart Disease?” Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Journal of Women’s Health, n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2013.
- 3. “Effect of Sleep Loss on C-Reactive Protein, an Inflammatory Marker of Cardiovascular Risk FREE.” JACC.org. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Feb. 2004. Web. 03 Sept. 2013.
- 4. “Short Sleep Duration and Behavioral Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Healthy 7- to 8-Year-Old Children.” Pediatrics. Pediatrics, 01 May 2009. Web. 03 Sept. 2013.
- 5. “Even Your Fat Cells Need Sleep, According to New Research.” UChicago News. UChicago News, 17 Oct. 2012. Web. 03 Sept. 2013.
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