Are you getting the right amount of sleep to maintain a healthy lifestyle? When addressing health, a lot of emphasis is put on diet and exercise, but don’t forget this key player: sleep. While you are snoozing, your body is repairing from the day and rejuvenating for tomorrow. As if you hadn’t already heard how important sleep is, here are five more reasons to convince you.
Digestion
It requires a lot of energy, so it’s important that we let our bodies refuel for the next day. Poor sleep can negatively impact digestive processes and the healing that is taking place within the gut while we sleep. In fact, many people with IBS or just a sensitive stomach tend to experience fewer symptoms when they have a good night’s sleep. Because of the way our organs are positioned, sleeping on the left side of your body can actually improve digestion.
Mental clarity
While we sleep, our brains are literally getting cleaned out as the toxins associated with neurodegenerative disease (think: Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s) get flushed out. Without enough sleep, you miss the opportunity to let your brain go through this cleaning process. When you get quality sleep on a regular basis, you will have a sharper memory, better focus, enhanced creativity and an improved ability to make decisions.
Energy
This one may seem obvious, but sleep truly is our most vital source of energy, even more so than food. Compare how you function when you haven’t eaten to how you function when you don’t sleep. Proper sleep leaves you in peak shape mentally, physically and emotionally.
Weight management
Quality sleep enables us to handle stress better, which plays a role in our weight and eating habits. When you are well-rested, hormones like leptin and ghrelin are less likely to be out of whack and mess with hunger cues and cravings. A lack of sleep negatively affects the parts of the brain that control pleasure eating, and actually causes us to crave more foods high in fat and carbohydrates.
Complexion
“Beauty sleep” is not just a phrase. In addition to weight control, your physical appearance benefits from sleep. You may notice when you don’t get a good night’s rest that you have dark under-eye circles. While you sleep, the hormones responsible for collagen production are released, and cells regenerate to create fresh, smooth skin. Cells become increasingly productive when you’re asleep and repair damage done by free radicals, such as UV rays.
Tips to get quality sleep
Our most vital bodily processes owe their ability to function to a good night’s sleep. If you’ve been convinced to improve your sleep routine, there are things you can do to help prepare your body for sleep. For example, avoid food and drink a couple hours before bed. Turn off the TV and stop looking at your phone or tablet at least an hour before you’re ready to go to bed. It can also help to turn the lights down low in the living room, and avoid turning on bright bathroom lights when you’re getting ready for bed. A bedtime routine, such as taking a bath, reading and so on will help you wind down. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night, and reap all the benefits that sleep has to offer.
