It’s Nap Time!: Top 10 Benefits of Sleeping

“The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep.”
― Matthew Walker, Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams

Sleeping is a vital aspect of our lives. Yet, we do not give it the importance that it requires. In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we are often engaged in more activities than we can handle. To manage everything, we forgo our sleep. We do not realize that sleeping less can have many adverse effects not only on our physical health but also on our mental and emotional well-being.

An average adult requires a minimum of six to eight hours of sleep. Children should at least dedicate eight to twelve hours of their day to sleep. Yet, most of us do not do that. We sacrifice our sleeping time to get more work done. In our quest to do as much as we can in a single day, we sacrifice our own well-being. We do not realize that a good night’s sleep can mitigate a lot of our problems.

I know that it is hard to believe that even sleeping has its advantages. Here is a list of the top ten benefits of sleep to help you sleep without feeling that you are missing out on something important because believe it or not sleep itself is important.

A Longer Lifespan

We all want to live long and happy lives. Nowadays, most of us tend to sacrifice our health in our bid to be financially well-off. We forget that no amount of money can repair the damage that we do to our bodies. Sleep has a direct relation to our lifespan. The body and mind need time to recuperate after a tiring day. Hence, it is important to get an adequate amount of sleep. Less sleep can lead to heart disease, obesity, diabetes, digestive disorders, and high levels of stress, among other things. So, if you wish to live longer then you must at least dedicate seven to eight hours of your night to sleep.

Strengthens the Heart

The heart is one of the most vital organs of the body, along with the brain. It is very important for us to care of our hearts. An adequate amount of sleep is the prerequisite for a healthy heart. When we sleep, our body releases a ton of hormones. Some of these hormones are essential to keeping our heart and blood vessels healthy. Without a proper amount of sleep, we can develop high blood pressure, worsen our heart function, and can also be the victim of other serious heart diseases. It is also worth noting that oversleeping can increase the chances of a heart attack. Hence, it is of utmost importance to get a proper amount of sleep every day.

Ignites Creative Sparks

When we sleep, our body gets its much-needed rest. However, our brain is still at work. It is during this time that our mind consolidates our memories, structures our thoughts, and organizes our ideas. This ignites our creativity. Writers are able to write better and painters are able to paint inspired paintings. Even scientists and mathematicians are able to solve theories faster with a good night’s sleep.

Helps Maintain Weight

Lack of sleep can lead to obesity. People who do not get a proper amount of sleep are subject to an increased risk of gaining weight. They may even have a high body mass index. Less sleep leads to a rise in the production of ghrelin, a hormone that makes us feel hungry, and a fall in the production of leptin, a hormone that makes us feel full. This might result in weight gain. Also, sleep deprivation takes away our urge to exercise, go for a walk, or perform any physical activity in general. If we wish to maintain our weight, it is of utmost importance that we get a proper amount of sleep.

Enhances Concentration

Being sleep-deprived can adversely affect our concentration. Our thoughts become scattered and we have difficulty focusing when we are tired. If we sleep well, we are rested. This improves our capabilities in terms of concentration, productivity, and cognition. A good night’s sleep improves the academic performance of students and the professional efficacy of adults. It enhances our memory and problem-solving skills.

Boosts Mood & Social Relations

When we are tired, we tend to be irritable. We are unable to control our emotions and behaviors. Many of us are even unable to take jokes or show much empathy when sleep-deprived. Also, we tend to isolate ourselves and live in our bubble of loneliness. To have a vibrant social life, we have to make sleep a priority.

Stress Reduction

Nobody likes to be stressed. Yet, in today’s world, we all are stressed about something or the other. If we do not give our mind and body a chance to rest, our levels of stress increase. Sleep deprivation releases stress hormones. Sleep relaxes us and gives us a chance to recover from our long day.

Improves Memory

Sleep plays a key role in improving our memory. While we go to dreamland, our brains engage in memory consolidation. The things that we see or learn while awake are practiced by our brains while we snooze. This helps us retain what we learn. While we sleep, our mind connects different feelings, events, and sensory inputs to create memories.

Maximizes in Energy

When our mind and body are well-rested, we feel more alert and energized during our waking hours. This gives us a will to exercise, perform physical tasks, and be active in general. By being alert, we are able to accomplish a lot. A good night’s sleep is essential to accomplish all this.

Boosts Immunity

Our body has to combat a lot of viruses, bacteria, and germs. To avoid disease, it is important that we have a strong immune system. Adequate and quality sleep enhances our antibody responses. This in turn boosts our immunity.

Conclusion

It is high time that we prioritize our health. To live a long and happy life, it is important that we get adequate sleep every day. A good night of sleep ensures that we are at our best the next day. This, in turn, increases our productivity and also ensures that we are in a happy state of mind.

Do comment and let me know your thoughts on sleeping.