At SHEEX, we are strong advocates of getting quality sleep every night. We often take it for granted, but why is sleep important? From reducing the risk of heart disease to improving brain function, sleep keeps your body in tip-top shape. Most of us know what it's like to be well-rested — you generally feel more alert, motivated, and happy. Let's go over the specifics of why a relaxing slumber is so critical to staying healthy. As you learn the benefits of getting enough sleep, you'll want to hit the hay, pronto!
How Sleep Helps Your Body
High-quality sleep helps you stay heart healthy. Sleep-deprived individuals have a 48% increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. According to the CDC, high blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. A lack of sleep has been linked to blood pressure remaining higher for a prolonged period of time. When you’re sleeping, your blood pressure goes down; therefore, lowering your risk factor!
Sleep impacts glucose metabolism. Some studies show that decreased sleep influences insulin resistance and blood sugar levels, which increases the risk for type 2 diabetes. Sleep deprivation is also a risk factor for obesity. Sleep impacts the neurotransmitters that control hunger, and not getting enough of it can lead to weight gain.
One of the health benefits of sleep is improved mood. Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to an increased risk of a mood disorder. One study shows that people with insomnia are five times more likely to develop depression. Enough sleep, particularly REM sleep, allows the brain to process emotional information, influencing mood and emotional reactivity.
Sleep can help with athletic performance. Sleep is vital for athletic performance, whether you're shooting hoops or running marathons. Sleep deprivation reduces motivation, which is critical for endurance sports. In one study of Stanford University's men's varsity basketball team, players who went from less than seven hours to 8.5 hours of sleep over a five to seven week period displayed better performance. Sprint times went from 16.2 seconds to 15.5 seconds, and free throws improved by nine percent.
Sleep enhances brain function. It's no secret that being well-rested makes you feel sharper. Getting sufficient sleep helps you consolidate new information to store as memories in the brain. Sleep deprivation can make it difficult to remember things. Its potential cognition issues include reduced attention and concentration abilities.
How to Get Better Sleep
Learning how to get better sleep is just as necessary as knowing the importance of sleep. Prioritize developing a nightly routine and creating a comfortable sleeping environment. Start by relaxing at night with a warm bath or a meditation session. At nighttime, avoid prolonged exposure to electronic devices that can keep you awake — it's a myth that watching TV can help you fall asleep faster! Blue light can actually disrupt your sleep-wake cycle, so put your devices away at least 30 minutes before bed.
After a soothing night routine, you'll want to keep your room cool and dim as well. Invest in high-quality bedding to make your sleeping experience comfortable. Besides feeling ridiculously soft, selections from the SHEEX® Original Performance Collection transfer heat 10x better than traditional cotton with a proprietary moisture-wicking and breathable fabric. Shop our bedding and other sleep accessories to help you reap all the benefits of restful slumber.
