Sleep is undoubtedly one of the most essential components of a healthy life. It gives your body time to recover from the past day and helps to prepare your brain for the coming one. Whether from a physical or a mental health standpoint, good sleep can only benefit you. It’s important to keep in mind that quality sleep is defined by the timing just as much as it is by the duration. A regular sleep schedule firmly sets your circadian rhythm, helping to keep all your body’s functions operating smoothly. We list here some benefits of quality sleep and ten reasons to keep a healthy sleep schedule.
- Cardiovascular Health: The heart is one of the most important organs in your body, and its function is largely dependent on your body’s circadian rhythm. Disruptions in your circadian rhythm often contribute to cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. The major role a regular sleep schedule plays in cardiovascular health then makes sense, as sleep helps to set and regulate your body’s internal clock. Studies have shown a strong correlation between irregular sleep and cardiovascular disease. Following a consistent sleep schedule can help to maintain a high level of cardiovascular health!
- Diabetes Prevention: Your body processes sugar through the release of the hormone called insulin. The amount of insulin released into your bloodstream varies throughout the day, and your body’s ability to properly regulate insulin levels may be dependent on a healthy circadian rhythm. Recent studies have indicated that shifts in sleep schedules may contribute to rapid changes in insulin levels, raising the risk of diabetes. Proper blood sugar control is a great reason to keep a healthy sleep schedule!
- Healthy Blood Pressure: High blood pressure occurs when the force of the blood against your artery walls is too high. This can lead to many more health complications over time. Recent studies have suggested that people who sleep less than 6 hours per night may be at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. One possible explanation is the role sleep plays in your ability to regulate stress hormones. Healthy sleep can help maintain healthy blood pressure!
- Weight Regulation: Bad sleep habits have repeatedly been linked to increased weight gain. Lowered sleep quality may affect hunger hormones in your body, leading to an increased desire for calorie-dense foods. The link between obesity and poor sleep habits has been observed in children as well as adults. Sticking to a sleep schedule that provides regular, sufficient sleep is an important part of maintaining a healthy body weight!
- Muscle Growth: For anyone looking to put on muscle, a quality sleep schedule is absolutely essential. During sleep, blood flow to your muscles increases, promoting tissue recovery and growth. This connection works both ways as exercise also improves sleep quality. Additionally, poor sleep quality has been associated with a higher risk of muscle mass reduction.
- Alleviate Stress: Stress is a major risk factor for many physical and mental illnesses such as hypertension, depression, and anxiety. Reducing your daily stress levels can make an immediate and significant impact on improving your quality of life. Studies have shown that poor sleep quality increases perceived stress levels, taking a toll on your overall health and fitness. If you ever feel stressed or overwhelmed, it’s a great reason to keep a healthy sleep schedule!
- Improved Mental Health: Mental health is arguably more important than physical health and is closely related to your sleep habits – poor sleep can contribute to psychiatric issues and psychiatric issues can cause poor sleep. It’s incredibly important to take care of both your physicals and mentals, and adhering to a healthy sleep schedule is undoubtedly a fantastic way to accomplish that.
- Strengthened Immune System: Increasing evidence and research points to a close relationship between sleep and immune system functioning. Our body’s regulation of antibodies and white blood cells is dependent on our sleep-wake patterns, making it extremely important to get regular, consistent sleep. Everybody needs a strong immune system, an important reason to keep a healthy sleep schedule.
- Improved Productivity: A common reason that many of us miss out on sleep is work. We often stay up late or wake up early to finish off our projects before we head to work or squeeze in some extra studying before an exam. It’s widely understood, however, that poor sleep directly leads to lowered response speeds and significantly increased variability in cognitive performance. While it might be unavoidable sometimes, it’s much healthier to plan ahead so you can stick with your sleep schedule!
- Improved Memory: Many of us often find ourselves forgetting simple things we ought to remember, whether it’s losing our car keys or blanking on a final exam. Fortunately, these slip ups can often be drastically reduced simply by improving your sleep habits. Studies reinforce the fact that sleep improves our cognitive functioning, and it plays a major role in memory consolidation. A healthy sleep schedule will help to keep you sharp and alert throughout the day and help solidify your memory!
