It’s no secret that we feel better when we get a good night’s sleep. Tossing and turning all night, or simply hitting the sack too late, can leave us feeling un-energetic and grouchy the following day. An adequate amount of restful sleep, on the other hand, makes us more alert and improves our mood. But a good night’s sleep has a lot more benefits than that. It can improve our mental and physical health in several ways. Here are some of the reasons we should strive to get enough sleep each and every night.
Getting enough sleep is good for your heart. Our hearts slow down when we’re sleeping, so it stands to reason that not getting the sleep we need makes our hearts work harder for longer than intended during the course of a day. Lack of sleep can also be linked to higher blood pressure and cholesterol, both of which are bad for the heart.
Sleep helps us fight disease and infection. As we sleep, our bodies produce more of the hormones that aid the immune system, such as melatonin and cortisol. These hormones can help prevent cell damage that leads to cancer, and they help fight off germs that cause colds, the flu, and infections.
Long-term memories are formed during sleep. So when we get a good night’s sleep, we are giving our brains time to store more information away for later reference. If you are suffering from forgetfulness, try getting a little more sleep. Chances are, it will help.
Adequate amounts of sleep can help us maintain a healthy weight. Studies have shown that those who sleep less than 7 to 8 hours a night are more likely to be overweight. This is believed to be due in part to lower levels of leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite, and higher levels of ghrelin, a hormone that simulates hunger.
Getting the sleep you need can help ward off depression. One of the contributing factors in depression is serotonin deficiency, which often occurs in those who do not get enough sleep.
Sleep is the time when our bodies repair themselves. They create new cells to replace those that have been damaged during the waking hours. This is one of the keys to good health.
Getting a good night’s sleep can help us be more productive, happier and healthier. It gives our bodies a chance to produce hormones that we need and regenerate itself, and our brains a chance to file away the things we need to remember. Getting enough sleep each night is one of the most effortless, yet most important, things we can do to keep our bodies functioning as they should. Here are some tips for getting a good night’s sleep.
Set a bed time — I know are over 9 years old, but I have a bed time. I typically get up most days at 5:30am and if I don’t have a bed time I would be a let’s just say you might not like me. =)
Don’t eat to close to bed time — You don’t want to be full before you go bed. You want to stop eating 2-3 hours before bed.
Have a ritual — I’m typically lights out at 10pm. At 9pm I’m in bed reading to help quiet my mind. If I find that I can’t shut down my brain I will grab a notebook that I keep my bed and write what’s on my mind so it gets out of my head. When it’s winter, I cozy up in bed with a nice mug of tea.
How’s your bedroom — Is it too warm, too cold, is your mattress comfortable, do you have comfy pillows’ Make your bedroom a little sanctuary.
Wake up at the same time every day — I know that some of you work varying shifts so I know that it’s tough, but try your best to get the same number of hours of sleep. I ask that you strive for at least 7 hours of sleep/night.
Get the electronics out of the bedroom — that means no TV or cell phones. Your bedroom should be just for sleeping and umm.. sex.
Avoid stimulants to close to bed — that means both coffee and as well as alcohol. Both could cause you not to sleep.
Sleeping pills — this is between you and your doctor. If you really struggling with sleep and doing all of the above and more check with your doctor. I’m a pretty good sleeper, but during certain times of the month I struggle with sleep. During that time of the month I use a sleep spray. It helps me fall asleep and stay asleep.
If you have challenges sleeping, what 2 things can you do this week to help you to get a good night’s sleep. I know that most of you will say that I can survive on only x hours of sleep. Studies show that if you don’t sleep you will not lose weight.
Don’t forget Leave a comment below. Write a facebook post on the Fabulous Fit Squad. If you have a personal blog, write a blog post. Make sure you link back to the site so we can cheer you on and hold you accountable.
This article helps me understand more about sleep. I understood that not getting 7-8 hours will make it hard to take the weight off and I believe it. I have not been consistent with sleeping and waking at the same time every night. This is part due to me working to 3 am and having to get up with the kids in the am. I am going to try not to work the overtime or only take extra shifts once a week if it is at the beginning on my shift and I can go to the gym into my schedule. It all about balance and this challenge is educating far beyond what I expected. So seeing that I have to be up every morning at 7 am I will have to go to bed by 12 mid everyday. Even weekends. I am currently as we speak working in my monthly schedule where I am going to figure out times to eat and go to the gym. I will also add in my OT that I can allow myself to work in conjunction with my sleep. Thank you for this info.
@michele I’m glad this challenge is helping you. Planning a month is great, but then I want you to take it down to a week by week. Because everything looks great on 11/1 but we all know that life happens day by day. I know with your shift work it’s hard, to have the same wake up time, but if you could work on get the number of hours of sleep that would be ideal. Especially with your work I want you to be wide awake!!
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This article helps me understand more about sleep. I understood that not getting 7-8 hours will make it hard to take the weight off and I believe it. I have not been consistent with sleeping and waking at the same time every night. This is part due to me working to 3 am and having to get up with the kids in the am. I am going to try not to work the overtime or only take extra shifts once a week if it is at the beginning on my shift and I can go to the gym into my schedule. It all about balance and this challenge is educating far beyond what I expected. So seeing that I have to be up every morning at 7 am I will have to go to bed by 12 mid everyday. Even weekends. I am currently as we speak working in my monthly schedule where I am going to figure out times to eat and go to the gym. I will also add in my OT that I can allow myself to work in conjunction with my sleep. Thank you for this info.
@michele I’m glad this challenge is helping you. Planning a month is great, but then I want you to take it down to a week by week. Because everything looks great on 11/1 but we all know that life happens day by day. I know with your shift work it’s hard, to have the same wake up time, but if you could work on get the number of hours of sleep that would be ideal. Especially with your work I want you to be wide awake!!