By Ebi Kesiena
People now sleep less than they did in the past, and sleep quality has decreased as well.
In fact, good sleep it’s just as important as eating healthy and exercising.
Unfortunately, there’s a lot that can interfere with natural sleep patterns.
Here are some reasons why a good night sleep is important.
- Poor sleep is linked to higher body weight
People with short sleep duration tend to weigh significantly more than those who get adequate sleep.
In fact, short sleep duration is one of the strongest risk factors for obesity.
In one extensive review study, children and adults with short sleep duration were 89% and 55% more likely to develop obesity, respectively.
The effect of sleep on weight gain is believed to be mediated by numerous factors, including hormones and motivation to exercise.
If you’re trying to lose weight, getting quality sleep is absolutely crucial.
- Good sleepers tend to eat fewer calories
Studies show that sleep-deprived individuals have a bigger appetite and tend to eat more calories.
Sleep deprivation disrupts the daily fluctuations in appetite hormones and is believed to cause poor appetite regulation.
This includes higher levels of ghrelin, the hormone that stimulates appetite, and reduced levels of leptin, the hormone that suppresses appetite.
- Good sleep can improve concentration and productivity
Sleep is important for various aspects of brain function.
This includes cognition, concentration, productivity, and performance.
All of these are negatively affected by sleep deprivation.
A study found that short sleep can negatively impact some aspects of brain function to a similar degree as alcohol intoxication
On the other hand, good sleep has been shown to improve problem-solving skills and enhance memory performance of both children and adults.
- Good sleep can maximize athletic performance
Sleep has been shown to enhance athletic performance.
In a study on basketball players, longer sleep was shown to significantly improve speed, accuracy, reaction times, and mental well-being.
Less sleep duration has also been associated with poor exercise performance and functional limitation in older women.
A study in over 2,800 women found that poor sleep was linked to slower walking, lower grip strength, and greater difficulty performing independent activities.
- Poor sleepers have a greater risk of heart disease and stroke
Sleep quality and duration can have a major effect on many health risk factors.
These are the factors believed to drive chronic diseases, including heart disease.
A review of 15 studies found that people who don’t get enough sleep are at far greater risk of heart disease or stroke than those who sleep 7–8 hours per night.
- Poor sleep is linked to depression
Mental health issues, such as depression, are strongly linked to poor sleep quality and sleeping disorders.
It’s been estimated that 90% of people with depression complain about sleep quality.
Poor sleep is even associated with an increased risk of death by suicide.
Those with sleeping disorders like insomnia or obstructive sleep apnea also report significantly higher rates of depression than those without.
- Sleep affects emotions and social interactions
Sleep loss reduces your ability to interact socially.
One study found that people who hadn’t slept had a reduced ability to recognize expressions of anger and happiness.
Researchers believe that poor sleep affects your ability to recognize important social cues and process emotional information.
In conclusion, along with nutrition and exercise, good sleep is one of the pillars of health.
You simply cannot achieve optimal health without taking care of your sleep.
