Learn why it’s essential to give your body the rest it needs.
Did you know it’s National Sleep Awareness Week? This event runs from March 13-19 and is sponsored by the National Sleep Foundation.
You may be wondering “Why would you need to raise awareness about sleep?” Well, in short, it’s because of how vital sleep is to our overall health and wellbeing!
Let’s look at some health benefits of a good night’s sleep:
- Makes you energetic and productive
- Boosts the immune system
- Improves your mood
- Strengthens your heart
- Helps your brain and memory
At the end, we’ll quickly review some things that can harm your sleep quality and how to improve your habits!
Makes you energetic and productive
The difference sleep makes in this area of our wellbeing is incredibly noticeable. We’ve all had those days where we didn’t sleep well, and feel like we’re just dragging through our daily activities.
By contrast, quality sleep can have you waking up refreshed, energetic, and ready to tackle whatever comes your way. There are established links between sleep and job performance, so extra shut-eye can even be a form of career development.
Boosts the immune system
Nobody likes getting sick, and by building up your body’s defenses, you can help fight off those germs and keep yourself healthy. One of the foundations of good immunity is sleep!
As explained by a provider from the Mayo Clinic, sleep releases proteins called cytokines, which protect against infections and inflammatory conditions. It also promotes antibodies and cells that help you fight sickness.
Improves your mood
We’ve probably also all experienced the crankiness and on-edge feelings after a night of poor sleep. By contrast, you’ll find yourself feeling much happier when you’re well-rested.
But the mood benefits from sleep don’t just impact the short term! Sleep disturbances can be connected to chronic mood disorders, particularly depression. Lack of sleep also makes it harder to deal with stress and anxiety. The emotional and mental health benefits of a good night’s sleep are just as important as the physical!
Strengthens your heart
What if you could help protect your heart just by going to bed earlier and changing your sleep habits? Well, you can! Getting regular good sleep can keep your blood pressure stable, prevent elevated cholesterol, help you avoid gaining weight, and other heart-relevant factors. Read more about how sleep is connected to heart health.
Helps your brain and memory
Finally, when we’re asleep, it’s our brain’s time to rest and refresh. A good night of sleep has a powerful ability to help you process information and consolidate memories. (There’s science behind the phrase “sleep on it” after all!) It also improves learning and cognitive performance.
So, how do you reap the health benefits of a good night’s sleep and avoid the pitfalls of poor sleep?
Some factors that may be harming your sleep quality include too much light in the room, having caffeine or spicy foods too close to bedtime, spending too much time looking at a screen or using a smartphone before bed, and having an inconsistent sleep routine.
As for how to improve your sleep, head over to our article on 7 Tips for Better Sleep!
To learn more about the connection between sleep and hearing health, check out our blog post. And make sure to follow the CapTel health and wellness blog for even more healthy living information and advice!
