Why Getting Enough Sleep Matters More Than You Realize

Are you sleeping enough?

Sleep is such an important process for staying physically healthy and mentally alert. Even though the vital role that sleep plays has been known for a long time, there are still so many people who regularly fail to get the right amount of quality sleep. A lot of us just think that we can drink a cup of coffee in the morning to wake us up and that is sufficient for mitigating the problems that poor sleep causes but the issues that it causes are far more deep reaching.

To help everyone understand why sleep is so vital, this article will explain why getting enough sleep matters more than you realize.

1. Mental Health and Cognitive Function

There are many factors which affect the function of our bodies. Good diet, regular exercise and healthy habits are all vital for optimal function. Just as important as the right food and daily activity, however, is getting enough quality sleep. This has a particular impact on your mental health and cognitive function which in turn can negatively affect your life in many ways. Not getting enough sleep slows your reactions and brain function which can affect your productivity, decision making and ability to perform all of your daily functions and tasks efficiently and effectively. Many people rely on their morning caffeine hit to get them through the morning, but this is an artificial boost which can be easily cut out all together if you start getting the right amount of sleep each night.

2. Healthy Joints and Muscle

Especially as you get older, your body stops performing at the same levels that it did when you were younger. Our modern work habits find many of us sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time which can lead to a lot of stress on our backs and necks. This problem is made worse by bad sleeping posture or an uncomfortable bed. The sleep experts at myisense.com/products/refresh-energex-foam explain that the right bedroom setup is especially important to prevent you from waking up with aching joints and muscles. Many people these days are switching their traditional mattresses for foam mattresses as these can have an enormous benefit on our bodies. Foam mattresses mould to your body and so provide extra support for your neck, back and shoulders. This greatly increases your physical wellbeing and leaves you refreshed in the morning.

3. Recovery and Healing

Recovery from illness or injury is dependent on many factors. The right food, medication and hydration are all vital for making a full and speedy recovery but one of the most important factors is getting enough sleep. Your body’s recovery systems kick in when you are asleep and so if you have been sick or you have sustained an injury that you need to recover from, it is so important that you get the right amount of quality sleep. Furthermore, recovery from a heavy workout or exercise requires a lot of sleep to give your body the time and energy required to rebuild muscles and reduce lactic acid. Elite level athletes sleep as much as 12 hours a day in order to perform at their maximum. Whilst this isn’t feasible for most of us, try to get at least 7-8 hours or sleep each night and take a 30-minute nap during the day if possible.

4. Immunity

Your immune system is very important for protecting you from illness and disease. The body’s defense systems are extremely sensitive and need to be cared for if they are going to be able to do their job effectively. Maintaining a healthy body and overall good health are very important for your immune system. We all know the importance of vitamins for staying free of disease but getting enough sleep is equally important. Our bodies make the majority of our antibodies and white blood cells whilst we are asleep and so if you are regularly sleep-deprived, your immune system will not function properly. This is why we often feel run down when we are tired and why we catch more colds and flu when we have been really busy and not been able to sleep well.

Sleep is such an important function but is one which unfortunately so many of us neglect. The busy lives which we all live, with work, family and social responsibility, often leave little time for sleeping, and so we sacrifice it in order to get everything done. Whilst this may seem to be the right thing to do to increase productivity, the negative effects far outweigh the positives. Make sure you are getting enough quality sleep each night to stay healthy and happy.