5 Benefits of Better Sleep

Posted on June 22, 2024

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends you spend a minimum of 7-8 hours a night sleeping. A minimum of 7 hours of daily sleep seems to be necessary for proper cognitive and behavioral function. But getting enough sleep doesn’t just help us feel good and well-rested... Did you know that getting enough sleep every night has multiple benefits to your health? From increased focus to better moods to fewer illnesses, getting the right amount of shut-eye each night can really behoove your body and brain. Here are five ways that sleep benefits your health:

1. Brain function: Sleep helps support healthy brain function, improve memory, learning and recall, and reduce mental fatigue. It can also help you think more clearly and pay better attention. Sleeping removes toxins from the brain, promotes sharper thinking, and may reduce the likelihood of age-related cognitive decline.

2. Mood and stress: Sleep can help you reduce stress, improve your mood, and get along better with people.

3. Promotes growth: Sleep can help your immune system fight germs and promotes growth in children and teens.

4. Sleep supports weight management.

5. Physical health: Sleep can improve your metabolism and lower your risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Proper sleep ensures you get sick less often.

Alternatively, sleep deficiency can really interfere with your life. It affects work, school, driving, and social functioning. You might have trouble learning, focusing, and reacting if you don’t sleep enough. You may even find it difficult to gauge other people's emotions and reactions. Sleep deficiency can make you feel moody: getting frustrated, cranky, and/or worried in social situations isn’t uncommon. Sleep deprivation can also increase inflammation and stress hormones in the body and increases the risk of workplace injuries and errors.

Remember that adults aren't the only ones who need good sleep. It's crucial for children to get even more sleep than adults, generally 10+ hours a night, depending on age.

Getting enough sleep plays a vital role in your weight, emotional wellbeing, blood pressure, mental and physical performance, and more. So, rest up!