Is there anything a good night’s sleep can’t help? As far as we’re concerned, it’s crucial to helping us be our best, healthiest, happiest selves. In this blog, we take a look at some of the benefits you can achieve if you try to go to bed a bit earlier at night.
1. Boost your immune system
Simply put: sleep helps keep you healthy. If your body experiences sleep deprivation, your immune system function is suppressed, and the level of inflammatory cytokines increase, putting you at a greater risk for developing a cold, flu, or infection. Studies also show that T-cells (a lymphocyte involved in immune responses) decrease when your body is deprived of sleep.
To prevent these negative sleep deprivation symptoms, try going to bed earlier and meeting your recommended hours of sleep; your body will thank you for the increased ability to fight colds and other bacterial infections.
2. Protect against heart disease
Research has shown that sleep-deprived people have a higher risk of acquiring cardiovascular diseases than those who meet sleep requirements. Sleep deprivation can result in an increase in your C-reactive protein (a protein made by the liver which causes inflammation), which may play a role in heart disease.
In one study of 3,000 adults over the age of 45, those who slept fewer than six hours a night were approximately twice as likely to have a stroke or heart attack as people who got six to eight hours of sleep every night. These findings show that if you do not regularly receive enough sleep, chemicals in your body are activated which can lead to higher blood pressure over time and increase your risk of cardiovascular problems.
3. Fight pain
Sleep is crucial for acquiring the strength required to recover from an injury and fight any chronic or acute pain you might feel. The reason is as simple as your body regenerates tissues and muscles while you sleep; this is exactly why doctors advise that you rest after an injury. This idea is even strengthened by studies that show that getting enough sleep can actually supplement pain medication, maximizing its effectiveness.
4. Improve weight loss chances
Getting enough sleep helps your body, rest, recover, and gain strength, all of which make it easier for you to lose weight. Furthermore, when you go to bed early to ensure you get enough sleep at night, your body produces leptin, a hormone made by your adipose cell that helps in balancing energy by inhibiting hunger. Conversely, when you do not get enough sleep, your body’s leptin level drops, making you feel tired and crave food (generally which is high in fat and calories such as comfort food), which can sabotage your weight loss efforts.
5. Fight forgetfulness
Studies show that people who go to bed early and sleep well are more likely to remember things while those who do not get enough sleep tend to be more forgetful. Being tired actually slows down thought processes in your brain and negatively affects concentration and alertness. Building on that, excessive sleep deprivation actually weakens nerve connections in your brain, impacting your short-term memory.
Final thoughts
If you’re on a quest to live a healthier, happier life, getting enough sleep every night is key to your success. As such, we’d like to thank Good Relaxation for the excellent tips highlighted above!