Sleep – the most overlooked and underrated aspect of your overall health. So many of us put sleep on our backburner in order to get other “more important” things accomplished. However, a lack of sleep is harmful for your body. Here is why:
During sleep your body;
- Repairs tissues
- Grows muscle
- Releases hormones that regulate appetite control, stress, growth, and metabolic strength
- Increases stamina and energy levels
- Strenghtens immune system
- Improves brain functionality to increase focus, alertness and creativity
- Increases libido
- Increases mood and helps reduce anxiety and mental exhaustion
Without sleep your body;
- Decreases the release of a hormone called, leptin, which plays a HUGE role in appetite control therefore increases your likely hood to gain weight
- Increases the amount of inflammatory proteins and blood sugar levels within the body which all increase your risk of illnesses, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and infection
- Impairs your brain to function optimally which decreases your ability to process new information and also affects your mood and focus levels drastically.
So how much sleep do you need?
For anyone over the age of 18, it is recommended to get at least 7 -9 hours of sleep a night!
How can I sleep better?
- Make a routine – try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day
- Give yourself at least 30 minutes to wind down – avoid using your IPhone, TV, or other electronic devices
- Make your bedroom comfortable and completely dark
- Reduce your caffeine intake; especially in the afternoon and night
- Don’t overeat before bed
- Limit beverage consumption so that you do not wake up in the middle of the night
- Engage in regular exercise or movement
- Listen to a guided meditation or soft music