What can a good night's sleep do for us and our health? It is this question that we will try to answer today. Sleeping the recommended number of hours — between seven and nine, according to the WHO (World Health Organization) — is essential to ensure the good physical and mental functioning of our body. Take note of six good reasons to start the year by sleeping better.
Increases immunity .
According to some research, it is estimated that people who sleep less than seven hours are almost three times more likely to develop a cold than those who sleep at least eight hours. If you're one of those people who catches a cold with every gust of wind, know that the time you usually go to bed could be to blame.
Prolonging lack of sleep can disrupt your immune system, leaving you less able to defend yourself from the bacteria around you.
Sleep allows our body to repair damage to the body caused by stress , and it is while we sleep that the body produces the proteins responsible for regenerating damaged cells.
Helps to lose weight .
Sleeping less means you can gain weight more easily. Many proven studies state that people who sleep less than seven hours a day tend to gain more weight and have a greater risk of becoming obese compared to those who adhere to the recommended schedule. If you're trying to lose weight, getting quality sleep is essential.
Fewer hours of sleep can increase levels of ghrelin (the hormone responsible for stimulating appetite) in the body, and decrease levels of leptin, responsible for suppressing appetite, causing a greater tendency for a greater appetite and greater intake. of calories.
Increases mental well-being .
Since a single night without sleep can make you more irritable, it's not surprising that prolonged lack of sleep can lead to depression or anxiety. Furthermore, a good night's sleep can also help improve your memory, since, during sleep, the body rests, while the brain continues to work, processing the day's information and connecting the events, feelings and memories that arose in that day. date.
The deep sleep phase is the most important moment of our rest, so that the body goes into deep rest and the brain can process all our memories and connections.
Prevents diabetes.
Studies have shown that people who sleep less than five hours have an increased risk of developing diabetes. It appears that a lack of deep sleep may increase the chances of developing type 2 diabetes by altering the way the body processes glucose, which is the high-energy carbohydrate that cells use for fuel.
Excludes the possibility of heart disease.
Long-term sleep deprivation appears to be associated with increased heart rate, increased blood pressure and higher levels of certain inflammation-related chemicals, which can put extra pressure on the heart.
Increases fertility.
Many couples have difficulty conceiving babies and lack of sleep is identified as one of the main causes, in both men and women.
