Sleep is a naturally recurring state of mind and body, with an altered consciousness, caused by the inhibitory nervous system, and reduced interactions with surroundings. The normal range one is supposed to sleep is between 7- 9 hours.
BENEFITS OF SLEEP
1. IT HELPS REDUCE STRESS
Sleep is an exercise to enhance our well- being. If we don't get enough sleep, our ability to manage stress is compromised. Sleep regenerates our energy level, reduce stress and we won't fall sick often.
2. IT IMPROVES MEMORY
Scientists think that while we sleep, memories and skills are shifted to more efficient and permanent brain regions, making for higher proficiency the next day. In fact, sleeping shortly after learning new information has been shown to help retention.
Learning and memory are often described in terms of three functions. Acquisition refers to the introduction of new information into the brain. Consolidation represents the process by which a memory becomes stable. Recall refers to the ability to access the information after it has been stored. Each of these steps is necessary for proper memory function. Acquisition and recall occur only during wakefulness but research suggests that memory consolidation takes place during sleep through the strengthening of the neural connections that form our memories.
3. IT REDUCES DIABETES
Sleeping is tied to whether the hormone insulin which removes glucose from the blood, is working the way it's supposed to. Blood sugar levels surge while you're sleeping, usually around 4 to 8am for someone with a normal sleep schedule (it's called the dawn effect). In a healthy person, insulin can handle the surge by telling muscle, fat and liver cells to absorb the glucose from the blood, which keeps your levels stable. So as the glucose levels are stable. there is a lower risk of getting diabetes. However, as the amount of sleep decreases blood sugar increases and the risk of diabetic issues.
4. IT CONTROLS INFLAMMATION
Inflammation is a localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection. Inflammation is linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis and premature ageing. Research indicates that people who get less sleep (less than 6 hours a night) have higher blood levels of inflammatory proteins than those who get more sleep. A study found that C- reactive protein, which is associated with heart attack risk, was higher in people who got six or fewer hours of sleep a night.
5. IT HELPS TO MAINTAIN WEIGHT
Inadequate sleep is related to your body’s ability to produce insulin. If you’ve got less insulin, your body is going to end up storing more fat. Insulin breaks down sugars and starches into energy and without it, the fats and such in your bloodstream remain there, not broken down. Research shows that people on diets who cut back on their sleep had their weight loss drop by 55%. That means they were losing less than half the fat they were while getting enough sleep.
6. IT LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE
Sleep has been proved the body’s most effective way of digesting excess stress hormones from your day. If you don’t get enough sleep, your stress hormones stay elevated and this increases inflammation throughout your body. This causes your arteries to narrow and even constrict, which results in higher blood pressure.
7. IT IMPROVES CREATIVITY
REM is a type of sleep that is beneficial to the creative process. A study has shown that this stage of sleep helps the brain connect unrelated ideas, which in turn aids the creative problem -solving.
Now you know the range of hours you must sleep per day and you also know the benefits of sleeping for at least 7 hours. Schedule your time well such that you will not be forced to sleep less than 7- 9 hours a day.
#iCare- Gh, enjoy life
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