Why Is Sleep So Important For Our Health?

The only time your body slows down to repair cells and rejuvenate its internal processes is when you sleep. Sleep is an essential life activity that should not be compromised. Unfortunately, work and personal pressures often make it impossible to gain the full benefits of uninterrupted sleep. It confirms the survey findings that 71% of UK adults lack the required hours of uninterrupted sleep. When you continue to lack quality sleep, it increases the risk of adverse effects on your physical and mental well-being. This article will discuss why the right mattress and the right amount of quality sleep is essential.

The Benefits Of Good Sleep

The increasing demands of modern life make it challenging for many people to get the desired 7 – 9 hours of night sleep. Continuously missing quality sleep will prevent you from enjoying the immense health benefits of a good night’s sleep. Sleep is the only period when your body repairs itself through cell regeneration and repairing damaged tissues. It is also when your brain processes information received throughout the day, accounting for memory recollection and cognitive performance.

Quality sleep reduces stress and improves your mood, which is good for mental health. During deep sleep, the immune system receives a physiological boost that improves its infection-fighting ability. A good night’s sleep can also help you maintain a healthy weight by suppressing the hunger hormone ghrelin. The more you sleep at night, you reduce comfort food cravings that often contribute to unhealthy weight gain. Medical research has also shown that good sleep can lower the risk of dementia in old age.

The Consequences Of Poor Sleep

Just as there are benefits of a good night’s sleep, there are also consequences of poor sleep. Your brain may lose its cognitive sharpness over time when you continually lack quality sleep. Your cognitive and motor skills are linked, explaining why lack of sleep can impair your judgement and make you feel sluggish when moving around. It is particularly important for drivers who stand the risk of causing accidents on the road.

Moreover, because of poor sleep, there is an increased risk of developing mental health issues like depression and unresolved anxiety. All this happens because the brain hasn’t had the chance to relax and rejuvenate its cells. Chronic sleep deprivation contributes to obesity and lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension. The more you stay awake, the more leptin, a fullness-regulating hormone that stifles hunger, is suppressed. In other words, you will eat more, increasing the likelihood of weight gain.

How To Improve Your Sleep

First, you will notice improved sleep patterns when you stick to a regular bedtime schedule, which allows your body to settle into a rhythm and produce desired outcomes. It helps to also establish a bedtime routine that includes relaxing the body before sleep. A warm bath, meditation, or reading a book have proven to be helpful in this regard. While at it, remember that the bedroom plays a crucial role in how well you sleep. A cool, dark, tidy, quiet room, and a comfortable or supportive mattress can be helpful.

A good mattress should provide ample support for your back when you sleep. Options like memory foam, gel-infused mattresses, and moisture-wicking features can promote excellent sleep. A clean set of pillows and bedding are also an excellent addition. Furthermore, remember that stimulants like caffeine and alcohol can interfere with good sleep, so it will be a good decision to avoid them about 3 – 4 hours before bedtime. Limiting your screen time can also protect you from the melatonin-suppressing effects of blue light.

Conclusion

Sleep is more than closing your eyes for a snooze. So, the next time you are ready for bed, make the processes leading to it count.