HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · APRIL 2018
HEALTH BENEFITS OF SLEEP
Missing the health benefits of sleep ? No longer ! We ’ re here to help you find them and get the most out of them .
You know that sleep just makes you feel great , but its benefits go beyond preventing yourself from nodding off during the workday . It can help boost your mood and can even have lasting benefits on your heart health , your weight , mind , and your cells . It ’ s the wonder drug , minus the drug .
For as long as we can remember , we ’ ve been told to work , work , work . ‘ No rest for the weary ’ as they say . We learned we had to work hard to get ahead , and while that ’ s true to some extent , it ’ s taken a toll on us . Medical researchers have studied the benefits of sleep and what they ’ ve discovered may amaze you .
SLEEP CAN :
Help improve your memory . You wouldn ’ t believe how much your mind can accomplish while you ’ re catching up on your zzz ’ s . Your mind goes through a process of consolidation . In this process , it works out skills that we learned when we were awake . Their studies have shown that if you want to learn something , study it right before bed and while you ’ re asleep , your mind will process it and help lock it in .
If you suffer from lack of sleep , we already know that it ’ s associated with a shorter lifespan . If you sleep too much , that too can also shorten your lifespan , but if you sleep the right amount of time- the recommended hours of sleep- you could prolong your life .
Getting proper rest can also reduce inflammation in your body . Inflammation is directly linked to heart disease , diabetes , stroke , premature aging , and arthritis . People who get six or fewer hours of sleep have been shown to have higher levels of inflammatory blood proteins in their bodies .
Did you know that sleep can spark creativity ? Sleep consolidates memories , or makes them stronger . Your brain reorganizes and restructures your memories which leads to more creativity .
It can also increase your stamina and improve your game . Good sleep = better sports performance .
Getting enough sleep can also improve your school performance .
It will lower your stress levels and erase irritability .
Prevent you from overindulging in sweets or fattening foods . That leads to improved weight .
It will make you more alert and lessen the probability of you having accidents on the road .
By Sarah Wester
24 HEALTHY MAGAZINE