5 Reasons Why Sleep Matters!

It’s early in the morning, and the sun isn’t out yet. You managed to pull yourself out of bed after several snoozes and finally got to school. Walking through the halls with your eyes barely opened, your brain is frantically trying to stay awake by your cup of coffee you slurped earlier in the morning.

According to a recent study, more than 87 percent of teens say that they sleep for less than the recommended hours, between 8-10 hrs. [1] This is an issue because the lack of sleep can affect your cognitive skills, decision making, and emotions.

Here are the benefits to sleep…

Your body can naturally heal itself.

Hormones from the brain are triggered during sleep to speed up the healing process of injuries by producing white cells to attack viruses and bacterias. [2] People are more likely to catch a cold when they’re sleep-deprived, and vaccines are less effective. [3] Moreover, research has shown that sleep-deprived people are 1.7 times more likely to sustain an injury than those who aren’t. [4]

Fun fact: Giraffes only need 1.9 hours of sleep, whereas a brown bat sleeps for 19.9 hours per day.

Mood booster and productivity

Getting enough sleep allows your body to fuel up and get ready for the day. People with little sleep often have mood swings. Even worse, it can also trigger other emotional problems like anger, depression, and anxiety.[5] A study also concluded that “sleep disturbances have contributed to the decrease in productivity of employees,”, which involved an estimated $1967 productivity loss per worker annually.[6]

Fun fact: Drinking a glass of milk before bed can help you sleep more soundly. It can also strengthen bone and muscle growth.

Better memory

While sleeping, your brain processes information, makes connections, and filters away insignificant ones. Without the right amount of sleep, you can become more forgetful. Studies have also shown that sleeping after learning can help individuals memorize and process information more efficiently. [3,7]

Fun fact: Avocado, berries, and other nuts and seeds are beneficial for the brain’s memory and concentration. For more details, check out 12 foods to boost brain function. [8]

Healthier you!

Little or no sleep can cause all kinds of health problems. A study found out that the lack of sleep impacts appetite regulation, impair glucose metabolism, and increased blood pressure. [9] This can also increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. Your skin also regenerates by producing collagen, a protein responsible for maintaining your skin’s elasticity, and improving fine lines and wrinkles.

Fun fact: Take a 10-20 minute nap to refresh your mind if you feel drowsy or snappy.

Better athletic achievement

Athletes need more sleep than ordinary people, and everyday people need to sleep for up to 9 hours. Since athletes burn more calories and have more strains, they need to sleep more to recover themselves. Sleep can improve an athlete’s reaction time, focus, accuracy, and overall performance.[10]

Fun fact: The world’s oldest and first sport ever was wrestling, which was introduced in the ancient Olympics in 708 BC.

Now that you know why sleep matters, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to sleep healthier or not. What is one step you will take to improving your sleep? Let us know in the comments below!

Let me recap it for you…