5 Benefits Of Sleep You May Not Know About
When we think of a good night’s sleep, it’s easy to imagine how comforting and cozy it can be. But why is sleep important? Proper rest can be integral to our well-being, helping with everything from heart health to mood. The benefits of sleep are far-reaching, and at the best of times, they can help us improve our sense of wellness.
From making sure you have the best mattress for a good night’s rest, to coming up with a genuinely calming bedtime routine, there are plenty of ways you can make sure you get to reap the full benefits of sleep. If you’re wondering what you might be able to gain from eight hours of cozy rest every night, here are five unexpected ways you’re doing more than just dreaming with your eyes shut:
Improve Weight Regulation
If you’re trying to shed some stubborn pounds, it might surprise you to find out that sleep can help. In fact, poor sleep has been shown to have a strong correlation to weight gain, with one review indicating that children who slept for shorter periods of time in the night were nearly 89% more likely to develop obesity.
The benefits of sleep in relation to weight loss and regulation have a lot to do with your appetite. Depriving your body of sleep can actually influence the hormones in your body that induce hunger or suppress it. By getting the right amount of sleep, you’ll find it easier to regulate your diet and be a lot less susceptible to caving into cravings.
Increase Focus & Attention
One of the most commonly understood benefits of sleep is the impact it has on our energy levels. But a good night’s sleep doesn’t just leave you feeling well-rested, it can also help you boost your levels of productivity, and even your focus throughout the day.
Multiple studies have gone on to explore the impact of a poor night’s sleep on brain function, citing similar levels of performance to that of working when intoxicated. Some sleep studies also note that both children and adults who get a good night’s sleep have been found to have significantly improved memory performance, and even better problem-solving skills.
Better Athletic Performance
A lot of the key benefits of sleep boil down to a natural increase in energy and stamina. One of the observable side-effects of this is athletic performance. Many sleep studies indicate that a good night’s sleep can promote better athletic performance, improving everything from speed, reaction times, and even accuracy.
It’s important to note finding the best mattress for your actual sleep position can also aid in athletic performance. The best mattresses for athletes are going to be especially useful in the case of muscle recovery, so finding the right firmness for you will make all the difference.
Stronger Heart Health
The benefits of sleep extend to more than just energy and mental wellbeing- they can also directly influence physiological health. One sleep study conducted by the University of Warwick in the UK indicates shorter durations of sleep can be predictors of cardiovascular disease. If you’re already facing a heart disease, you should seek medical help. And you can buy all heart-related prescription meds at lower costs here.
Trying to monitor how much sleep you’re able to get every night, and aiming for seven to eight hours of rest every night, is going to ensure you’re staying as healthy as you can.
Improved, Consistent Moods
If you struggle with mood swings or find yourself feeling anxious throughout the day, you might find a healthier sleep schedule beneficial. One of the most frequently cited benefits of sleeping better is improved perception and fewer mood swings, so if you’ve been feeling low, try adding eight hours of consistent sleep back into your routine to watch and see if this has a positive impact.
How Do I Make Sure I Get The Full Benefits Of Sleep?
It’s vital to get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep every night in order to reap the full benefits of a good night’s rest. Developing healthy sleep hygiene and staying on top of your nightly routine can lend well to this.
Here are some of the best ways to ensure you’re getting a good night’s sleep:
Find the best mattress for a good night’s sleep.
The best mattress for your sleep isn’t just going to improve your well-being, it’s also going to help you reap the full benefits of proper rest. The best mattresses all have a couple of qualities in common – lookout for independently certified materials, durable engineering, and local production that you’re able to trust. Finding the best mattress for your comfort also involves understanding where you struggle most with your rest – if it’s chronic pain, you’ll find that a firmer mattress might lend well to this.
Take a warm shower before tucking yourself in.
If you’ve found the best mattress for a good night’s sleep, having a warm shower right before you tuck yourself in can help you fall asleep quicker. This is because a warm shower brings down your internal body temperature, priming your body for a good night’s sleep.
Come up with a bedtime routine you can look forward to.
Other tactics to help achieve better sleep include using aromatherapy, doing some bedtime reading, or even practicing some mindfulness can all help with slowing down and keeping calm through the night.
Avoid drinking caffeine after midday.
Even the best mattress for your sleep won’t be able to help with rest if you’re over-caffeinated. Caffeine can stay in your body for up to six hours after you ingest it, so it’s wise to try and stick to drinking what you want before midday so that there’s no risk of it disrupting your sleep cycle. Some good replacements can include herbal teas, or even decaf if you find yourself craving a cuppa.
Whether it’s finding the best mattress you can or simply taking a warm bath before winding down for the night, there are many benefits of sleep that can lead to you becoming the healthiest, happiest version of yourself.