How much would you be willing to pay for a remedy that can regenerate your body, control your weight , improve your mood, and prevent disease? Well, we have news for you: it's completely free!
And not only that, but it's also simple and very (VERY) comforting. All of that is sleep... So much so, that there are plenty of reasons to love this natural body process , capable of helping you achieve anything.
Attention: Are you in bed at night watching TV or social media for hours? Then this information might be of interest to you.
31 reasons that will reveal the importance of sleep habits
1. Sleep beautifies
How much do you spend on makeup and beauty treatments? Sleep might even give you better results. People spend and spend money on beauty without considering that sleep is a natural cosmetic that's perhaps much more effective.
Sleep is the time when the skin regenerates and repairs. Cell regeneration doubles precisely during these hours, especially between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Even celebrities like Jennifer Lopez have claimed that sleep is her best cosmetic. Learn more about Beauty Sleep in this article.
2. Sleeping well protects your emotional memory
Make a mental list of 5 things you did yesterday… Were you able to remember everything? Among the benefits of sleep is that it helps consolidate emotional memory and organization.
A shorter sleep cycle causes drowsiness and fatigue during the day. Sleep strengthens neural connections, as the hippocampus (which is similar to our memory storage) is restored during REM sleep. In doing so, it transforms short-term memory into long-term memory. Discover more mysteries about sleep in this article.
3. Prevents depression and improves your mood
Lack of sleep affects your mood . So if you've been feeling very irritable or hopeless lately, it may have to do with how much sleep you're getting. Sleep deprivation makes us feel less happy, active, alert, and determined. Laughter is food for the soul; and if sleep improves it, why not give it a try? Answer these three questions and find out how you sleep.
4. Do you sleep on your side? Much better!
Recent research in Ayurvedic medicine indicates that sleeping on your left side can be very beneficial. Not only does it improve sleep quality and digestion, but it also contributes to proper spinal hygiene and improves circulation to the heart and other organs. If you don't sleep on your side, we invite you to learn all the benefits of doing so here .
5. Good sleep helps with weight control
A good night's sleep can help keep levels of a hormone called ghrelin in check , which is responsible for making you feel increasingly hungry. Getting enough sleep helps you feel fuller for longer, giving you the opportunity to be more consistent with your eating habits. Interested in learning more about this weight-control benefit? Click here.
6. Sleep improves your cardiovascular health
Did you know that lack of sleep has been linked to poor blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and a higher risk of heart attacks?
A study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh showed that sleeping well in adulthood can reduce coronary artery decalcification by up to 32%. So, sleep takes care of your heart so you can later gift it to someone you love. Here's more about this research on sleep and the heart.
7. Prevents chronic back pain
If you suffer from chronic back pain, you could greatly benefit from changing the side you sleep on. This improvement would be evident because by adopting this position, at least for a few hours a night, you would relieve pressure on your spine and enjoy better sleep and wake up. We tell you more about the benefits of sleeping on your left side here.
8. Increases sexual desire
People with sleep deprivation may experience low libido and less interest in sex due to energy depletion, drowsiness, and increased tension. For example, men with sleep apnea (a breathing disorder that affects sleep) may have a lower sex drive , associated with lower testosterone levels. In this article, you'll learn all about how sleep cycles relate to sexual health.
9. Regulates blood pressure
Blood pressure is highest when your heart beats, pumping blood into your arteries (called systolic pressure). People who sleep well typically have a systolic blood pressure below 120, but in those who don't, it can rise to 132. Lack of quality sleep can increase blood pressure and higher levels of chemicals linked to inflammation, which may contribute to the development of heart disease. Find everything you need to know about sleep and your blood pressure here.
10. Sleep promotes mental health
The brain has a tough time when you don't sleep, which can lead to scattered thoughts, hypersensitivity, and even depression. It's known that not getting enough sleep or poor quality sleep increases the risk of this disease because it affects brain function . So, be careful and prepare your bed for a well-deserved, restorative sleep. Interested in learning more about mental health and sleep? Click here.
11. Sleep is a tool against stress
Did you know that stress is the main cause of mental health disorders? That's why we must learn to channel and manage it throughout our lives. When it comes to our well-being, it's essential for our daily functioning . Therefore, going to bed to rest will strengthen your immune system, which is responsible for defending you against stress. Read more about it in this article on the benefits of a good night's sleep.
12. Benefits your intestinal functions
The digestive system is known to be another of the biggest beneficiaries of a good night's sleep. During those hours, the body can slow down, rest, and receive the energy it needs to function properly. Without that energy, it wouldn't be able to break down food efficiently, which would cause problems with your digestion. Here are some recommendations for getting enough rest after age 60.
13. Sleep helps with cell regeneration
According to research we mentioned in this article , sleep is known to improve cell division eight times more ( compared to the level of the process during the day). Old cells are eliminated and replaced with new ones, while damaged cells are regenerated. All by simply going to bed for the hours your body needs!
14. One of the secrets of longevity is to sleep 8 hours
Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep a day can extend adult life . A study from Portland State University in Oregon showed that people over 100 years old were 75% more likely to enjoy better quality sleep, which is one of the main triggers for health problems. Find more information here.
15. Keeps your cholesterol levels low
Cholesterol is a substance present in cells that produces hormones, vitamin D, and helps digest food. Lack of sleep negatively impacts cholesterol metabolism. The problem is that the genes that regulate cholesterol transport are less active in people who don't get enough sleep. Learn about 10 Advantages and Benefits of Sleeping Well .
16. Prevents depression
Sleep is an activity that regulates the distribution of chemicals in the body, and a lack of serotonin can be the cause of episodes of depression. However, when sleep patterns are significantly altered, an adult's performance is impaired. They may feel irritable, sensitive, anxious, sad, and may even develop psychological and psychiatric disorders due to a lack of recovery from fatigue. Find tips here for dealing with depression in older adults.
17. Promotes the general health of older adults
Although it's recommended to sleep 7 to 8 hours per night, older adults typically sleep between 6.5 and 7 hours per night and wake up 3 to 4 times each night. Sleep has enormous benefits for older adults: protecting the heart, improving memory, reducing depression, and even helping with weight loss. Are you interested in caring for older adults? Find more information here.
18. Improves blood circulation
Sleeping on your side frees up the vena cava, as no organ in your body will press on it. This facilitates better circulation and prevents the extra strain on oxygen-laden blood leaving the aorta. Did you know that the side you sleep on reflects your personality? We'll tell you more here.
19. Increases quality of life and well-being
A good night's sleep can not only improve the quality of life in later life but can also help with special needs. In old age, taking a nap during the day can compensate for sleep deprivation. Maintaining regular bedtimes can allow older adults to engage in outdoor activities, especially after lunch when the whole family is together. Looking for the perfect pillow for your rest? Here are some recommendations based on your sleeping position.
20. Sleeping well relieves pain and improves positive energy
If you don't rest properly, your body will send some warning signs that you should pay attention to. One of them is waking up with pains you didn't have when you went to bed, such as in your neck, back, limbs, and migraines. You may also continue to feel tired and sleepy even after sleeping for several hours at night and have the overwhelming need to sleep during the day to recharge your batteries. You may even nod off in the air during moments of maximum work concentration, overcome by sleep. If you're sleeping BADLY, these are the symptoms.
21. Prevents dementia
Sleeping four hours or less for three days could kill brain cells . Without sleep, your brain may not clean the proteins that form plaques that cause diseases like Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. Spend 10 minutes a day on these activities and change your life.
22. Resting reduces oral anxiety
When our bodies are exhausted from lack of sleep, they tend to eat large amounts of carbohydrates and processed foods, decreasing the level of leptin, the hormone that signals the brain that it no longer needs more food, resulting in uncontrolled binge eating. This could lead to eating at odd hours and, consequently, increasing body fat. Is snoring keeping you from getting rest? Here are some tips.
23. Prevents fluid retention
Have you heard of lymphatic drainage? It's a process that occurs in the brain and eliminates waste from the nervous system that is extremely harmful to your health. These lymph nodes are located primarily on the left side of the body, so if you also sleep on that side, even better! Here are some tips to reduce fluid retention in your legs.
24. Reduces negative emotions
Getting a good night's sleep can significantly reduce your ability to regulate anxiety-producing hormones . Not getting enough rest can even increase negative emotions after a stressful event. Hence the importance of establishing a sleep schedule that's appropriate for adults. Most adults need between seven and eight hours of quality sleep. Did you know that reflexology is a proven therapy for reducing stress and anxiety?
25. Provides physical and mental balance
Sleep helps maintain balance between physical and mental functions. Sleep professionals affirm that sleep is a biological necessity of the body. According to the World Health Organization, sleep disorders are already a global epidemic, and sleep must be increasingly involved and recognized in public health, as adequate rest is truly important for the well-being of the population. Have you heard of coronasleeps? Millions of people around the world have experienced them.
26. Increase your productivity
The mind is constantly in motion and can sometimes become overloaded with information. Restful sleep can help you not only integrate each thought and assimilate data and figures, but also help your neurons stop and correct any damage done during the day. Without these repairs, our minds could become clogged with debris from lack of sleep, stress, and fatigue. A nap at work can boost your performance. Have you heard of microbreaks?
27. You reduce the risk of diseases such as diabetes
Lack of sleep affects the pancreas. It's known that those who sleep an average of six hours or less a day are twice as likely to suffer from diabetes (regardless of their age or exercise habits). Do you know the secret to longevity? The answer could be in your stomach.
28. Helps keep your circadian rhythms organized
Have you ever suffered from uncontrollable daytime sleepiness that you couldn't relieve even with a nap? These could be symptoms of hypersomnia, a condition that can cause you to feel very sleepy during the day and make it difficult to stay awake. Learn more here . Failing to address it could interfere with your emotional, social, and work relationships and prevent you from enjoying both everyday and non-day activities. It also increases your risk of accidents when driving, working, or handling objects. Lack of sleep is a cause of developing hypersomnia.
29. You reduce the risk of infections
While we sleep, our body recovers from all the disturbances it experiences during the day. Resting reduces stress and the risk of various infections. This is an automatic reflex of the body to prepare for any threat to its daily functioning, sending signals from the central nervous system that regulate normal sleep patterns. Would you like to know the correct sleeping position? Find it here.
30. Improve your chances of promotion at work
The quality of rest we get will ensure that when we wake up, we're in harmony with our entire body and feel balanced, free of pain or cramps, and with renewed strength. The idea is to achieve this so we can achieve the best work performance , which, along with your talent, will put you at the next level of concentration, attention, and even leadership. By sleeping and working better, you'll be able to leave on time and make the most of your time in life. Did you know that cell phones are being targeted for how they're affecting sleep? We'll tell you more in this article.
31. Sleep has incredible benefits for children
Sleep does so much for adults, so imagine all the benefits it provides for children. Not only is it a time for growth, but it also helps them feel alert , have a good memory, and have a better overall attitude. Children who don't sleep enough will have trouble managing and be more prone to behavioral problems and irritability. Would you like to know some interesting facts about pillows? Here are a few.
Ready to go to sleep?
As you can see, there are never enough reasons to get into bed, say goodbye to electronic devices, and simply indulge in a full , but above all, well-deserved, rest.
To achieve this, your best friend will be a good pillow , so don't hesitate to buy the one that best suits your needs: if you sleep on your side, if you need a cool night's sleep, if you want to prevent injuries, if you prefer a higher position...
The options are diverse, and there's definitely one for you. So, there are no excuses; give your body a priceless, healing, and free gift : optimal rest.
