We all know that beauty sleep helps us function at our best, but just
why exactly is sleeping so important? And how does a lack of sleep affect our bodies and our minds? With schedules that are busier than ever, a whopping
40% of Americans are getting less than the recommended amount of sleep. Let’s take a look at what exactly a good night’s sleep can do for us, and what we’re missing out on when we pull those all-nighters.
Emotional Well-being
Brain function. Sleep gives your mind time to rest and reorganize, and a lack of it can inhibit your ability to learn, react, and interact well with others. Over time, missing out on quality sleep can begin to also affect your quality of life. Most notably, it can affect your ability to pay attention, make decisions, be creative, and problem solve.
Happiness. Stress can also be increased by a lack of sleep, and this increase controls many physical factors that can put your health at risk. A lack of sleep has also been shown to increase signs of anxiety and depression, contribute to mood swings, lower motivation, and cause an increase in risk-taking behaviors. It also takes a toll on your memory, which makes it harder to learn new things and practice new skills effectively.
Physical Health
Lifespan. Getting too much or too little sleep is also notably associated with a shorter lifespan. Receiving a good night’s sleep can also help reduce blood pressure and the inflammation that can cause arthritis, diabetes, and other health issues such as migraines and vision problems. An interrupted circadian rhythm also puts you at a higher risk of developing breast and colon cancer. And as it turns out, they call it beauty sleep for a reason. Sleeping poorly can exacerbate chronic skin conditions, lower healing times, and increase signs of aging.
Weight. Weight is another area that can be affected by your sleeping patterns. The same hormones that affect your sleeping patterns also affect your metabolism, and sleepiness can drive hunger. Even if you’re not overweight, sleep deprivation also inhibits your body’s ability to control blood sugar. Over time, this can put you at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. If you’re athletic, a lack of sleep can also get in the way of your physical performance. It turns out that individuals who are sleep deprived lose more muscle mass and are more prone to late night eating and increased hunger throughout the day. Sleeping also allows your body to amass more muscle, as the growth hormone necessary for muscle building is produced during natural sleep cycles.
Driving. A lack of sleep can even impact your driving abilities. Drivers who are sleepy are at an increased risk of getting into an accident. A lack of sleep can affect a driver’s reaction time, attentiveness, and decision-making skills. According to the CDC and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated
2.5% of fatal crashes involve drowsy drivers.
Intimacy. Another great benefit to getting more shut-eye is an increase in libido and sexual function. Sleep increases testosterone levels, which helps improve sex drive in both men and women.
Getting enough sleep not only helps us feel better, it also helps us function better and remain healthy throughout our lives.
Resting up is an important part of maintaining a good quality of life and reducing the risk of cancer, disease, automobile accidents, obesity, mood disorders, and more. So next time you worry about getting out of bed too early, go ahead and press that snooze button. You’ll be doing a good deed for both your body and your mind.
