Sleep – is an amazing thing isn’t it? We want you to think about how many hours, on average, of sleep you get every night. Research shows that adults should strive for seven to nine hours of sleep each night. So, how do your sleeping patterns compare? Beyond the obvious reasons of feeling well-rested and energized, there are so many other internal benefits that come from sleeping seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
You might be surprised to learn that an ongoing deficiency of sleep is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke. How can lack of sleep increase the risk of so many health problems? It is during your sleep that your body heals and repairs your heart and blood vessels; along with many other important organs. Sleep gives your body the chance to catch up.
Lack of sleep plays a large role in your physical health. Sleep deficiency has also been linked to an increased risk of obesity. Not only does it become harder to remained active when you’re constantly tired, but sleep also helps you maintain a healthy balance of the hormones that control your appetite. Together, this combination can ultimately become a dangerous cycle that becomes hard to repair. It also affects your mental and emotional health – the way you feel about yourself and your mood. It is hard to remain uplifted and positive, when you’re running on empty.
At the end of the day, for various reasons, not all of us have the ability to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. If this is you, here are some tips to help improve the sleep you are getting and how to compensate for the hours you’re missing. When going to bed, put away all electronics. The light from cell phones, laptops, tablets, TV, and other devices can give false signals to your brain – telling it that it should be awake. Try to remove any other distractions that prevent you from fully falling asleep. If your schedule allows, try taking a 20 minute power nap during the day to boost your mood and energy levels.
When more sleep just isn’t an option, make sure you are getting all the daily nutrients that your body needs to grow and heal. Whether it’s from natural sources, like what you eat each day or our Supreme Immune Health Formula, or from supplements, make sure you are giving your body what it needs. With proper sleep, your body will be able to better use these nutrients to function at optimal levels.
Resources:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sdd/why
http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/need-sleep/whats-in-it-for-you/mood