Sleep plays a crucial role in your overall health. Not getting enough sleep or having poor-quality sleep can negatively impact your body and mind. The opposite is true when you get high-quality shut-eye throughout the night. Understanding the variety of ways that sleep impacts your health may inspire you to try to adjust your sleep schedule and bedroom environment to help you rest easier.
Strengthens Your Immune System
Sleep is essential for supporting and strengthening your immune system. When you sleep, the body produces and releases cytokines, which are small proteins that help your immune system do its best. The less sleep you get, the fewer cytokines might be present. One of the best ways to increase your chances of having a restful night’s sleep is to make sure you’re sleeping on a comfortable full, king or queen mattress that offers you the proper amount of support.
A lack of sleep may be the culprit if you’re noticing your immune system isn’t working optimally lately and you keep getting sick. December through February is typically the peak flu season, so getting as much sleep as possible is vital to help your immune system during this time. It’s even more crucial if you work in an environment like a health facility or school, where you may be more likely to be around people who are ill.
Improves Your Cognitive Functioning
Cognitive functions are the mental processes that allow us to think, reason, remember, make decisions and learn. They involve everything from recalling memories to having good problem-solving skills. They’re essential for everyday tasks, including understanding language. High-quality sleep is vital for optimal cognitive functioning, making it easier to recall facts and improve learning skills, focus, decision-making skills and emotional regulation.
Decreases Stress Levels
Sleep allows us to manage stress by giving our body and mind a chance to reset. One way it does that is by reducing cortisol levels, which is the body’s primary stress hormone. When we don’t get enough sleep, cortisol levels remain elevated and contribute to heightened feelings of irritability, frustration, stress and anxiety. Unfortunately, those same feelings may prevent us from being able to fall asleep in the first place.
It’s crucial to engage in activities right before bed that can help you lower your stress levels so you can get a better night’s sleep. Setting a relaxing bedtime routine is a fantastic way to do exactly that, such as by reading instead of looking at your phone, journaling down your thoughts and meditating. It’s also essential to create a calm and comfortable sleep space. Start with having an incredibly comfortable mattress with super-soft bedding and pillows that complement your preferred sleep position.
Enhances the Body’s Regeneration Processes
The body works hard on its repair processes while we’re sleeping. It releases growth hormones that help with everything from muscle growth to tissue repair. This regenerative phase is particularly important for physically active people as it helps repair muscles.
Unfortunately, feeling sore may prevent you from falling asleep when you want and being able to stay asleep. Trying different methods before bed, such as taking a warm shower, gently stretching and sleeping on a comfortable mattress in a proper position, are a few ways to help you sleep better for longer.
Promotes a Longer Life Span
Getting a good night’s sleep could add years to your life. Sleep supports a longer life span in a variety of ways, including helping regulate your blood sugar, hormones and blood pressure; reducing inflammation; and decreasing the risk of heart disease.
Those with specific health conditions, such as high blood pressure and hormone imbalances, should strongly try to establish a comfortable sleeping environment and get enough sleep per night. It may help regulate symptoms, improve their health and encourage feeling better.
Improves Creativity
Individuals with creative hobbies or jobs may want to work harder to get a better night’s sleep. The critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making enhancements that come with getting restful shuteye may help you be more creative. This can be great news for everyone, especially for people facing creative challenges, such as writer’s block.
How Much Sleep Should You Get Each Night?
Typically, how much sleep a person should get each night depends on their age, although the necessary amount decreases as we get older. For example, children 1 or 2 years old should sleep 11 to 14 hours per day, while it’s ideal for adults to sleep seven to 9 hours per night.
One important way for those of all ages to try to get a better night’s sleep is to attempt to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. For example, if an adult goes to bed at 10 p.m. and wants to sleep eight hours per night, they would get up at 6 a.m. every morning. This would include going to bed and waking up at the same time, even when they’re off from work.
Start Sleeping More Soundly Tonight
Adjustments are necessary for the sake of your health if you’re not getting the amount of sleep you need or you’re uncomfortable and you keep waking up throughout the night. Creating an ideal sleep space, such as opting for only the best mattresses, is one of the main ways to try and snooze better every night. Start shopping today for a new full, queen or king-size mattress that can be a critical first step in helping you get the amount and quality of sleep you need and want.
