The Benefits of Good Sleep (Plus Tips on How to Get It)

Let’s be real. We all know that we need to sleep. Have you ever watched an episode of Awake, the tv game show where contestants stay up for 24 hours and then have to complete tasks? 

These people are looking rough by the end of the show, and many can’t complete the simplest of tasks. That’s because their bodies are suffering! 

Sure, we feel the negative effect of not getting enough sleep, but what positive benefits do we get from consistent good sleep? 

Sleep is such an essential part of a healthy body. Check out this list of scientifically proven benefits of good sleep:

1. Prevents Weight Gain

If you are trying to eat healthily and lose weight, getting enough sleep should be a high priority for you. Why? 

Studies show that people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to be overweight due to a number of factors. These include hormonal imbalance, lack of motivation to be active, and an increase in hunger. 

2. Improved Immune System

Now more than ever, we should be conscious of the health of our immune system. Getting good sleep can help you with that.

Onestudy showed that people who got less than 7 hours of sleep per night were three times more likely to catch a cold. 

It certainly seems worth getting in some extra zzz’s to triple the power of your immune system.

3. Better Concentration and Memory

If you want to be productive at work and be able to crush all your assignments, you can give yourself a boost by making sure you get 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

Studies show that sleep is so closely linked to brain function that just moderate sleep deprivation can impair your cognitive abilities as much as being drunk. 

You wouldn’t go to work drunk and expect to get much done, would you? Don’t skip sleep and expect to be at your best either. 

4. Decreased Risk of Depression

There are strong links between poor sleep and depression. It makes sense, really. Taking into consideration how many brain-boosting effects sleep delivers, the lack of sleep should have a negative effect.

People who have sleeping issues like insomnia or sleep apnea areproven to be at a higher risk of depression. 

I know I’m never in a good mood when I don’t get enough sleep. How about you?

5. Enhanced Physical Performance

Getting good sleep the night before a workout can help you get the most out of your time at the gym.

Collegiate basketball players that got plenty of sleepshowed better reaction time, accuracy, and speed on the court than their team members who didn’t get good sleep. 

Onestudy showed that lack of sleep can even make you walk slower, have less grip strength, and take longer to get out of a chair. 

7. Decreased Risk of Heart Disease and Other Illnesses

Sleep is so closely intertwined with every function of the body and major organs that a lack of it can contribute greatly to the development of diseases.

Areview of many studies was conclusive in proving that lack of sleep is linked to an increase in heart disease and stroke. 

Lack of sleep is also connected to high blood pressure and diabetes. 

How to Get Good Sleep

Even armed with the knowledge of why sleep is important, some people have a hard time falling and staying asleep.

Luckily, you can increase your odds of getting quality sleep with a few helpful sleeping tips.

• Get plenty of sunlight or bright light exposure during the day.
• Reduce the amount of bright light exposure at night. This can mean shutting down electronics, buying blackout curtains, etc.
• Don’t drink caffeine late at night. 
• Don’t eat right before bed but don’t go to bed hungry.
• Don’t exercise right before bed. This can raise adrenaline.
• Limit your alcohol consumption.
• Have a regular bedtime and wake time.

You just can’t afford to skip on sleep. If you think you need to cut down on sleep to have the time to meet your responsibilities, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Your body and mind can only perform at its best when it is well-rested. Thank you and goodnight!