After a tough day, there are few things better than getting into bed and going to sleep. Unfortunately, not everyone’s sleep is as high-quality as it should be. Experts recommend that adults sleep for around 7-9 hours a night, but there are millions of people who are unable to do that.
In addition to being tired, a lack of sleep can also lead to several other issues in our lives. Getting a full night of restful sleep is one of the most important things we can do for our health. With that in mind, let’s go over some of the surprising health benefits of getting more sleep.
Gives Your Body a Chance to Recover
One huge benefit of sleeping is that it gives your body a chance to recover. Our bodies go through a lot during the day, both physically and mentally. Sleep gives our body a break and our cells spend the night working hard building more protein to keep us in good shape.
Also, those who sleep well generally recover quicker from injuries or sore muscles. Of course, while a long sleep is good, you also want to ensure it is high-quality. A patchy or uncomfortable sleep simply won’t provide the same benefits that a better one would. As a result, be sure to find the right mattress to buy online and ensure your sleeping environment is optimal.
Improve Immune System Function
Another major health benefit of getting more sleep is that it can improve the function of your immune system. Your immune system plays the crucial role of fighting off germs and bacteria and keeping you free from illness. When you don’t sleep well on a consistent basis, your immune cells will struggle to work as effectively as they should.
And if your immune cells are slacking off, it increases the chances that you end up getting sick. Of course, your diet is also important for your immune system, but without adequate sleep, a good diet can only get you so far.
Helps You Be More Productive at School or Work
One of the most noticeable benefits of getting enough sleep is the fact it can help you concentrate and focus more. We’ve all had those days where everything we do seems to take much longer and we struggle to do anything efficiently. This could be anything from taking notes at school, to performing your duties at work.
While stress can cause this in some cases, this general lack of energy and alertness is often due to poor sleep. When you sleep enough, your brain gets a break and is able to process the events of the day effectively. This is also why your memory may suffer if you’re tired or didn’t get a good sleep.
Improves Your Mood
In addition to being more productive, you will generally be happier and in a better mood if you are sleeping well. You will have much more energy, and be ready to attack the day in a way that others who slept poorly simply won’t.
Many people are a pain to be around when they are overtired. This isn’t only because their mood is poor, but a lack of sleep can also hurt a person’s ability to recognize the emotions of others in social situations.
More Sleep Can Reduce Your Risk of Certain Diseases
If you are getting enough sleep, you are also helping to reduce your risk for many diseases. For example, when you sleep, your blood pressure goes down and gives your cardiovascular system a rest.
In addition to reducing your risk of heart diseases, good sleep can help you reduce your risk of several other chronic diseases. This includes diabetes, obesity, and depression, just to name a few. While simply getting a solid sleep isn’t enough to make you immune to these diseases, of course, it can help give you a better chance at avoiding them in your life.
As you can see, there are many different benefits to getting more sleep. While it isn’t always easy, you should do all you can to get enough sleep every night to keep your body and mind as healthy as possible.