Sleep does more than make you feel rested. It’s a very important part of life. Along with a nutritious diet and regular activity, sleep is also required for good health. An individual not getting proper sleep of seven to nine hours can suffer health problems like obesity, and higher blood pressure.
Health conditions linked to a lack of sleep are
An individual who sleeps less than 7 hours are more likely to have health problems such as asthma, depression, and heart attack. They also suffer from the problems listed below,
1. Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that causes sugar to build up in your blood. It is a condition that can damage your blood vessels. As sleep deprivation causes your body to release less insulin, which is a hormone that controls blood sugar. It also makes your cells less sensitive to insulin. Thus deepest stage of sleep plays a large role in blood sugar control.
2. High blood pressure
When it comes to your heart getting the right amount of sleep is very much important. During normal sleep, your blood pressure goes down. When you sleep the body regulates your stress hormones. In case you are not getting enough rest those hormones stay high which as a result could lead to high blood pressure.
3. Obesity
Lack of sleep can lead to unhealthy weight gain. When an individual doesn’t get enough sleep their body makes more ghrelin. It is a hormone that makes you hungry. And have lower levels of leptin. It is a hormone that controls your appetite. Due to this, you eat more which can lead to weight gain.
Health benefits of good sleep
When you sleep many important body processes happen. A good night’s sleep benefits your health and well-being in some important ways,
1. Immune system function
Sleep helps boost your body’s ability to fight illness. While sleeping the body produces cytokines proteins that direct immune cells to fight inflammation throughout the body. Studies found sleep deprivation increases your body’s production of white blood cells. An imbalance in your immune system is linked with illnesses such as heart disease.
2. Brain processing
Do you know sleeping actually helps to lock memories into your brain? When you are having sleepless nights you’re less able to remember things you learned while you were awake. Also, sleep helps your brain regulate emotions. This is the reason sometimes you might feel irritable and moody after a poor night’s rest.
3. Tissue repair
Even when you sleep your body works internally repairing itself by releasing proteins and hormones that help restore damaged tissues like muscles. If you are a person with sleepless nights your body heals more slowly.