11 Surprising Health Benefits of Sleep
February 11, 2013
Sleep makes you feel better, mentally, physically and spiritually. Adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle, and can benefit your heart, weight, mind, and more. Below are 11 examples of how sleep can benefit you.
- Improves memory-studies show during sleep our brain is very busy. During sleep you can strengthen memories or “practice” skills learned while you were awake called “consolidation”
- Live Longer?-Some studies show those who sleep less than five hours per night have shorter life spans.
- Curb Inflammation- Inflammation is linked to heart disease. Studies show those who do not get enough sleep have increased inflammatory proteins in their blood which can increase your risk of a heart attack.
- Spur Creativity- In addition to consolidating memories, your brain appears to reorganize and restructure them, which may result in more creativity as well.
- Improve being an athlete- a study showed athletes who slept more than 8 hours per night performed better.
- Improve your grades- studies show that those individuals, who sleep more, get better grades in school.
- Sharpen Attention- Studies show that children that sleep less than 8 or 9 hours per night are more likely to be hyperactive, inattentive and impulsive.
- Have a Healthy Weight-Researchers at the University of Chicago found that dieters who were well rested lost more fat — 56 percent of their weight loss — than those who were sleep deprived.
- Lower stress- It is a known fact that lack of sleep increases stress, and stress increases risk to cardiovascular health. Sleep reduces levels of stress and can reduce blood pressure.
- Avoid Accidents- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports being tired accounted for the highest number of single car fatal crashes.
- Steering Clear of Depression-Sleeping well means more to our overall well-being. A lack of sleep can contribute to depression.
-Original Article from The Huffington Post
