Why Sleep is So Important to Your Health

By Sara Butler

A good night’s rest, every night, is essential to good health. In fact, it’s so important that it’s right up there with exercise and diet. But fast-paced lives and busy schedules don’t exactly make getting enough sleep easy. According to the National Sleep Foundation, people are sleeping less than at any point in recent history -- and the quality of sleep they are getting isn’t that great either. Here are reasons why you need to invest in a good night’s sleep.

Sleeping Well Means You Eat Less

Studies have shown that people who are sleep-deprived often have increased appetites, resulting in more calories per day. That’s because when you don’t get enough sleep, it interrupts the natural hormones that control appetite, resulting in poor regulation of appetite. If you don’t get enough sleep, your body will crave more calories than you may need to maintain a healthy weight.

Sleep Improves Concentration

Your brain needs sleep to help with performance, productivity, concentration, and cognition. If you’re deprived of sleep, then all of these brain functions can suffer, making you go through your day in a bit of brain fog that’s impossible to shake. Enhance your problem-solving skills and memory by making sleep a priority in your life!

Sleep Deprivation Increases Heart Disease and Stroke Risk

If you’re not getting enough quality sleep at night, then your health risk factors can shoot up and make you more susceptible to heart disease and stroke. You should try to get at least seven to eight hours of quality sleep per night. You can sleep train your body by making sure to go to bed and wake up at about the same time each day -- even on the weekends!

Sleep Improves Immunity

In studies, even a small sleep deficit has been shown to damage immune function. People who were found to sleep seven hours per night or less were three times more likely to become ill than others who slept eight or more hours.

If you often get the sniffles, then it might be because you’re simply not getting enough shut-eye!

Right along with proper nutrition and adequate exercise, you must take your sleep schedule seriously. Sleep is one of the most important building blocks of your health and you simply can’t achieve your best health without it. If you need recommendations on how to get more sleep, the chiropractors at The Joint are always there to help!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Arvada, Colo.

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