Wednesday, April 20, 2011

I Like To Sleep

Do you? Uh huh... it's ok to admit it. Sleep is good for us. It has so many health benefits but far too many adults do not get enough sleep. And then why is it that when we do attempt to get enough sleep, we are criticized (yet secretly relished) by others? I know our days are so busy... work, family, fitness, hobbies, chores, the list goes on and on BUT we still need to recharge. Sleep should be right at the top of that list as something to take care of ourselves every single night.

Sleep impacts our lives in so many ways:

The Prevention and Cure of Disease
- The importance of sleep for health is mainly that it helps the body recuperate and recharge from the day. The insistence on rest when you suffer from even a minor headache, is not without reason. It is only while you are asleep that your body gets a chance to repair it's damaged cells and related functions, and strengthen the immune system, thereby preventing the onset of other health problems. Also, sleeping well can help you deal better, with the physical and mental stress that your body and mind are subjected to on a daily basis. The Enhancement of Memory - Studies show that those who sleep well, and for the required number of hours have better memory function than those who don't get the required hours of sleep. As memory is affected by the sleep pattern, so is learning. Proper sleep makes the body and mind alert, and ready to receive and learn new information. The Effect of Sleep on your Mood - You are bound to be irritable, and distracted while trying to function on very little sleep, conversely, notice your mood on a day when you have had the necessary amount of sleep. You are going to be perky, ready to face the day and generally in a good mood.
The Relation Between Weight and Sleep
- Lack of sleep causes the body to preserve carbohydrates and fats, in an attempt to use them to deal with the prolonged physical and mental stress on the body. As such, your metabolism is adversely affected. Sleep deprivation also leads to hormonal changes that may affect your appetite. The Onset of Sleep Disorders - Lack of sleep can lead to increased hypertension, the risk of stroke and heart disease, and a lack of ability to deal with stressful situations. Sleep and General Safety - Since proper sleep is known to make the body and mind alert, it helps in preventing a lot of mishaps and accidents that may occur due to a lack of sleep.

See what can happen without adequate sleep? Make sure you get GOOD sleep tonight and every night!

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