Sleeping well and getting enough is important for our health.
Why is sleep important for mental health?
It is important to get a good night’s sleep in order to wake up feeling fresh and energized. You will feel irritable and confused if you lack sleep. Multiple studies have shown that sleep is essential for your mental and physical health. Inadequate or poor sleep can increase negative emotions in response to stressors, and decrease positive feelings.
Sleep and mental health are linked. Sleep is essential for a variety of brain and bodily functions that are involved in the processing of daily events, regulating emotions, and performing well. Dozing also helps to maintain cognitive abilities, including attention, memory, and learning. Poor sleep can affect your ability to perform accurately and can make it harder to deal with minor stresses. Lack of sleep regularly increases the risk of many diseases and disorders. They range from stroke and heart disease to obesity and dementia.
What are the benefits of good sleep?
Lose or maintain weight– Numerous studies have found that sleep less than seven hours per night may increase the risk of weight gain. Sleeping less than 7 hours per night can increase the risk of obesity. The weight gain caused by less sleep may be influenced by hormones, motivation for exercise and other factors. A lack of sleep can also lead to an increased appetite and a tendency to consume more calories. Prioritizing sleep can help maintain a healthy weight.
Performance A good night’s sleep can enhance athletic performance. A good night’s sleep has been proven to improve problem solving skills, fine motor skills, muscle power, reaction time and muscular endurance. Sleep deprivation can increase your risk of injury, and reduce your motivation to exercise. Sleeping enough can improve your performance.
Type 2 Diabetes Risk– A short sleep can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. In this case, your body is unable to properly consume insulin. A very short sleep of less than 5-6 hrs may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. It may lead to physiological changes such as reduced insulin sensitivity and increased inflammation. Diabetes risk is also increased by behavioral changes such as poor food choices and poor decisions.
Increases concentration and productivity– Sleep is important for brain function. Sleep deprivation can negatively affect cognition, productivity and performance. Getting enough sleep can help improve academic performance for children, teenagers and young adults. A good night’s sleep can also improve problem-solving abilities and memory in children and adults.
Reduce inflammation– Sleep is important for the central nervous system. Lack of sleep can also lead to inflammation. Less sleep is known to activate inflammatory signaling pathways, which can lead to increased levels of undesirable markers of inflammation like C-reactive and interleukin-6. Chronic inflammation can be the cause of chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.
Can help your heart– Lack of sleep of high quality and duration can increase your risk of heart disease. A lack of sleep less than seven hours per night can increase the risk of heart disease. Sleep deprivation may increase the risk of hypertension, particularly in people with obstructive apnea (a condition characterized by interruptions in breathing while sleeping). Sleeping more than nine hours can increase your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.
Can help with depression– Sleep disorders can also affect mental health like depression and anxiety. It’s important to consult your doctor if you have trouble sleeping and your mental health is getting worse.
Sleep deprivation is dangerous. – A severe sleep deficit increases your risk of being in an accident at work or on the road. This can have a significant impact on your ability to make important decisions.
Improve your immune system Lack of sleep can also affect immune function. Sleeping well can help your body respond to flu vaccines and fight the virus.
Sleep deprivation reduces the ability to regulate emotions, and make social connections. Fatigue can also impair our ability to respond to humor or show empathy. A frequent lack of sleep can also lead to withdrawal from social gatherings and loneliness. A good night’s sleep can help you to reconnect with others and become more social.
Researchers have found that inadequate sleep can cause health problems. It can lead to hormonal imbalances, overexertion and an adrenaline overload, which leads to fatigue. We then turn to caffeine, like coffee, tea and energy drinks to help us get through the day. The adrenal glands are overreacting. This can cause obesity, irritability, and diabetes.
Sleep is a personal choice, just like other aspects of health, such as diet and exercise. Certain professions, including aviation and emergency medicine require a shorter working week in order to get adequate sleep and rest. The reason for this is to ensure their safety, and that of their patients. Untreated, it can lead to serious health issues in the future.
There is never enough time to accomplish everything you want.
