Sleep is very essential for a person’s health and wellbeing. Sleep plays a vital role in maintaining good mental and physical health yet a large number of people do not sleep sufficiently and suffer from sleeping disorders. The busy lifestyles have affected the sleeping patterns of a lot of people resulting in various health issues. A person should sleep for atleast 6-8 hours a day to function properly the next day.

What happens when you don’t sleep well? 

  • Lack of sleep increases your fatigue and you have no energy to do anything thus being unproductive. 
  • You lack concentration and cannot focus on the work you’re doing or the lecture you’re attending. 
  • You become very moody and are easily irritated by everything 
  • Lack of sleep increases the production of cortisol which causes you to become more stressed and you begin to crave foods which are high in fat and sugar. 
  • You tend to get headaches more frequently 
  • When you suffer from insomnia you become more dependent on drugs and alcohol. 
  • It also increases your anxiety and depression 

5 benefits of sleep :

1)Aids in weight loss 

Lack of sleep is directly associated with weight gain. The more sleep deprived you are, the higher your levels of stress hormone cortisol, which increases your appetite. Studies also proved that lack of sleep also causes obesity in a lot of individuals. Sufficient sleep can also improve your BMR and give better weight loss results.  

 2) Boosts your immune system 

Studies show that people who sleep for less that 5 hours are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus like the common cold virus. People who sleep well recover faster from any health issue comparatively. When you sleep, the immune system releases proteins known as cytokines which are needed in more amounts when you have an infection or inflammation. In addition, antibodies such as WBC’s are reduced in the body and you are more susceptible to attacks by pathogens. 

3) Improves your mental health and mood 

Mental health issues like depression are strongly linked to lack of sleep.  if you’re sleep deficient you may have trouble making decisions, controlling your behaviour and emotions. You may feel constantly angry and impulsive, have mood swings, often feel sad and lack motivation. When you rest properly your mind is relaxed and you can think more clearly and feel better. 

 

 4) Improves your concentration and productivity 

Sleep is important for proper functioning of your brain which includes productivity, concentration, cognition and performance. A good night’s sleep improves your learning, enhances your problem-solving skills, helps you pay attention and to take proper decisions. When you rest properly, you can work efficiently without making any mistakes.  

 5) Improves physical health 

Sleep plays an important role in maintaining your physical health. Lack of sleep is linked to an increased risk of heart diseases, kidney problems, high blood pressure and stroke. Proper sleep decreases the rate of obesity in adults.