Health Benefits of Sleeping

All kinds of good things happen to your mind and body while you are snoozing. Sleep provides repair and rejuvenation. Lack of sleep, on the other hand (yes, we're talking about you people who boast about only sleeping four hours a night), can be detrimental to your health.

Control Weight

The really good news is that if you get adequate sleep, at least seven hours a night, you can control your weight and may even lose weight. Who would have thought that was one of the perks of sleep? According to Longevity.about.com, research has determined that those who don't get enough sleep are apt to gain weight. This happens because inadequate sleep has an effect on the hormones, leptin and ghrenlin, that regulate our appetites. If you are not sleeping enough, these hormones can go slightly haywire and cause you to eat more. If you get sufficient rest, these hormones remain in balance.

Get Smarter

If your boss catches you asleep at your desk, tell him that your cat nap is making you smarter, more productive, less stressed out, and able to function at a higher level. In some countries, the afternoon nap, or siesta, is standard; in America, if you nap, you're considered a wimp. However, President John F. Kennedy always took a nap, and no one is going to accuse him of being a wimp. Those who nap have a lower risk of succumbing to heart disease, according to Longevity.about.com, which cites a study done on 24,000 Greek adults. Sleep is a tonic for our bodies. We can recoup and rejuvenate while we snooze, as well as release our anxieties through dreams.

Repair Our Bodies

The body goes into repair mode when we're asleep. Protein is generated when you are sleeping, and protein is necessary to repair the things our bodies have been exposed to during the day. According to Longevity.about.com, protein molecules are the foundation for cells, and these healthy cells are needed to fix whatever damage we have sustained from stress or exposure to toxins during our waking hours. Also, the human growth hormone (HGH) steps up production while we sleep and repairs tissue and muscular damage. Since there are no other distractions, full focus can be put on restoring our bodies and minds to a healthy balance, so that we are rested and in good shape upon awakening.

Stay Beautiful

Your mother and grandmother weren't kidding when they told you to get your beauty sleep. Sleep is restorative. All kinds of rejuvenatory processes are going on while we're getting our shut-eye. Cells regenerate and repair tissues that have been damaged by ultraviolet rays. This helps to prevent wrinkles and to diminish those dark circles under the eyes. Your teeth are healthier if you get seven or eight hours of sleep a night. Not getting enough sleep speeds up the aging process; that knowledge alone should be enough to convince you to get adequate amounts of rest.

Cope With Stress

If you are stressed, try to sleep. According to Campaignforbettersleep.com, sleeping helps you release stress and keep it at a level that you can handle. If you're sleep deprived, you aren't going to deal effectively with your stress. When you sleep, the cortisol levels in your body drop, helping to ward off disorders such as anxiety. If you stay stressed for days and months on end, it can contribute to a whole host of nasty outcomes, including stroke and heart disease.

Results of Sleep Deprivation

You probably already know how you feel when you haven't gotten enough sleep. But in case you need a reminder, sleep deprivation makes us cranky and irritable. Our brains are mushy, and we lack focus and concentration. Our reaction time may be off, which can be dangerous if you are working in an occupation where you can't afford to be sluggish. You may even experience inexplicable physical pain, according to Articlealley.com. So go ahead --- sleep your troubles away.

Warning

If you or someone close to you suspects that you are sleeping too much, this may be a sign of depression or chronic fatigue syndrome. Discuss this with your physician. There is a difference between getting enough sleep and overdoing it.

Resources

• Longevity.about.com
• Articlealley.com
• Campaignforbettersleep.com