Sleep Tight! Your Body Will Thank You
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A good night’s sleep does more than make you feel refreshed, energized and ready to start your day. The amount and quality of sleep you get have a major impact on the overall quality of your life. Just like exercising and eating a balanced diet, establishing good sleep habits is essential to your overall health.
Sleep affects how you look, feel and perform.
How much sleep is “just right” varies for each person. Most of us need 6 to 8 hours a day. But a lot of us aren’t getting enough. In fact, one in five American adults suffers from chronic sleep deprivation. Christopher Lauricella, DO, Family Medicine of Vandalia, advises, “When you see your health care provider for an annual checkup, be sure to bring up the topic of sleep. If you’re always setting the alarm early and getting to bed late, you’re at risk for more health problems.” In fact, Dr. Lauricella says, lack of sleep contributes to obesity, cardiovascular problems and memory issues.
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Why Good Sleep Is so Good for You
Even though it may seem that nothing is happening once you nod off, you’re not wasting the time you spend in slumber. Sleep affects how you look, feel and perform. After a night of deep sleep, you wake up more prepared to concentrate, make decisions and engage fully in work, home and social life. When you sleep deeply:
- Your body repairs muscle
- Your memory is better
- Your immune system becomes stronger and healthier
- Your appetite is kept in check by the release of hormones that help you feel full
- Your metabolism is more active
- Your cardiovascular health improves. Your breathing and heart rate are slower, and your blood pressure drops
- You wake up alert and focused in the morning, thanks to the hormone cortisol that is released at night
- Your mental health is better. As stress hormones are reduced, you’re less likely to feel anxious or depressed
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Source: National Sleep Foundation, Christopher Lauricella, DO, Family Medicine of Vandalia
