Do you have trouble sleeping? Well, you are not alone. Nearly 40% of adults are in the same dilemma. Most of us don't
really understand the danger that
accompanies a night of
sleep
deprivation. Lack of sleep can cause obesity, heart problems, depression, and many other serious health issues.
Getting a good night
of natural sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health. Sleep plays an essential role in memory, learning, metabolism, immune function and other vital functions. Let's take a closer look:
Memory:
One of the many sleep benefits is memory
function. While we are sleeping, our brain is busy organizing and storing our memories and thoughts. If we don't get enough sleep, our memories suffer. And so does our mood. Sleep deprivation is a major cause of depression.
Learning: REM sleep is essential in order for our brains to learn new things. We should experience 4 – 5 periods of
REM sleep each night. This means if we cut out an hour of sleep here and there, we actually narrowing our brains ability to learn.
Metabolism: Sleep helps regulate the hormones that affect our appetite. LWhen
you can't fall asleep, it can cause a decrease in our metabolic rate, which can lead to weight gain and energy loss.
Immune function: Our immune system needs
better sleep in order to stay strong. When our immune system is weak, we are more susceptible to catching a cold, flu, or other disease. Sleep is also vital to our cellular system. It repairs the body's tissues and helps fight stress, pollution and infection.
Heart Health: Sleeping lowers the level of inflammation and stress in our bodies. When we are deprived of sleep
or struggling with insomnia, our blood pressure and heart-rate increases. Since lack of sleep is also linked to obesity, we are at a higher risk of heart attack and stroke when don't get our Z's.
Adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.
Don't sell yourself short! Sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep every night
- and consider looking into natural
sleep aids, rather than prescription
drugs. Your body, and mind, will thank you!
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