Sleep is a necessity and most of us already know that, but do you know what really happens when you get a full night’s rest … or when you don’t?
Over the past weeks, working from home has made it more difficult to disconnect from the screen – from our computers, to the television, and our phones. This activity has been keeping my brain wired and difficult to shut off in time for bed, So I have taken the time to learn more about the importance of sleep and would love to share some things that we might already know. But are just good reminders 🙂
Sleep for the body
The time we take for sleep gives our body the opportunity to restore and rejuvenate. In fact, lack of sleep has been closely linked to weight gain.
Ghrelin is a hormone released in the stomach that signals hunger in the brain. And leptin is a hormone released from fat cells that suppresses hunger and signals fullness in the brain. When you do not get adequate sleep, the body makes more ghrelin and less leptin, leaving you hungry and increasing your appetite.
On the flip side, sleeping enhances your physical ability and more motivation for working out. #strength
Sleep for your health
My dad is a firm believer of sleep benefiting your immune system. He wakes up every day at 5am for work and makes sure he’s in bed by 9am – and although he gets in contact with people on a daily basis, he never gets sick. When your body gets the sleep it needs, your immune cells and proteins get the rest they need to fight off whatever comes their way — like colds or the flu*.
Sleep for your mind
Our bed is our sanctuary and it’s good to make it a habit to train our minds to relax when we get into bed. When we decide to check emails or use our phones in the bed, our minds would get used to responding to alerts – making it more difficult to zone out.
Additionally, our minds work overtime all day to ensure our bodily organs are functioning and responding to external factors. Lack of sleep can also lead to a decrease in memory. By sleeping, although our minds are still active, it’s taking those hours to store our memories for the day.
Sleep for your success
Have you ever read through your inbox and forgotten what you have just read? Have you ever been in a meeting and your mind just wasn’t present? We all have had one of those days or busy weeks – that’s why it’s important to listen to your body, and get rest to avoid burnout.
Sleeping creates a positive domino effect. With enough rest, your body and brain functions at peak performance. A full night’s sleep increases your focus, memory, and attention span.
Sources:
*The Benefits of Getting a Full Night’s Sleep – sclhealth,org
