There is a truth universally acknowledged that a good night’s sleep is a must for good health and wellbeing. You must have noticed it yourself that when you get up with little sleep, you spend your morning being cranky and sluggish. And over time, missing sleep can mess up more than just your morning routine. Studies have shown that a lack of ZZZs can significantly affect your health.
Though sleep needs vary from individual to individual, most adults require between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Yet, half the population can’t seem to get enough. Now, there could be any reason behind it, from insomnia to work calls, binge-watching, and late-night partying. However, the bottom line is that good sleep is as essential as any other thing in your life. Here are the top five reasons why-
- Boosts immune system-
The immune system helps your body ward off evil in the form of bacteria and viruses that can harm your body. When your body gets the rest it deserves in the form of sleep, your immune cells also get the rest they need to fight off whatever harm comes your way. For instance, a study reflects that people who slept fewer than five hours developed cold compared to those who slept for seven hours or more. Some study also suggests that proper sleep can make vaccines more effective.
- Prevents weight gain-
Getting proper sleep might not help you lose a couple of pounds, but it can definitely stop your body from increasing more. If your body doesn’t get enough sleep, it will produce more ghrelin and decrease leptin. While ghrelin is the hormone that makes you hungry, leptin is the one that lets you know you are full. Join them both together, and that’s one deadly combo for late-night snacking and consequent weight gain. What’s more, to make up for lack of energy, sleep deprivation can make you crave foods high in sugar and fat, leading to weight gain.
- Enhances concentration and productivity-
You may think that you might get that promotion soon by logging on some extra hours at night but putting off sleep can have an adverse effect on work and school. In fact, sleep is said to improve concentration, cognition, and productivity. A good night’s sleep increases your performance ten-fold than anything else. While sleeplessness can make you exhausted, increasing the chances of mistakes in your work.
- Affects emotions and social interactions-
There are times when you cannot control your emotions and feel withdrawn from everything around you. For example, you may not feel like talking to anyone and prefer to live in your cocoon. Studies suggest that sleep loss is one important reason that reduces your ability to regulate emotions and interact socially. When your body is tired, you feel irritated and cannot control your emotional outbursts in front of others. Furthermore, chronically sleep-deprived people are more likely to withdraw from social events and experience loneliness.
- Cause accidents and mishaps-
A study from the AAA Foundation for traffic safety shows that you are twice likely to get into a car accident when you sleep for six to seven hours only compared to eight hours. And if the sleep is less than five hours, then there is a high chance you will wake up in a hospital bed. The reason is your reaction time slows down when your brain isn’t appropriately rested. When you wake up rejuvenated, you can clearly understand the things around you and act quickly.
In a nutshell, sleep is good and crucial. To actually live a life with happiness and wholesomeness, you need to stack yourself eight hours of sleep at least. No matter where you are or what you are up to, try to ensure that your body gets the rest it deserves. Just like everything else in your life, it’s time to prioritize sleep!